Description
Hearty “ultimate cheesy meatloaf bake” delivers comfort with robust flavors and melted cheese goodness. Perfectly seasoned ground beef and gooey cheese create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (453.6 g) ground beef
- 1 lb (453.6 g) ground pork
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup (240 ml) breadcrumbs
- 1 cup (237 ml) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup (237 ml) shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup (118 ml) grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup (60 ml) milk
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsps ketchup
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- ½ cup ketchup
- 2 tbsps brown sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Preparation Ritual: Position oven rack in center position and heat to 375F (190C). Coat a 9×5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray or parchment paper for seamless release.
- Flavor Fusion: In a spacious mixing bowl, thoroughly blend ground beef, ground pork, finely diced onion, minced garlic, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, whisked eggs, milk, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning until ingredients are harmoniously integrated without overmixing.
- Cheese Concealment: Gently layer half the meat mixture into prepared pan, strategically distribute mozzarella and cheddar cheese across the surface, then carefully cover with remaining meat mixture. Compress gently to encapsulate cheese completely.
- Glaze Transformation: Whisk ketchup, brown sugar, and Dijon mustard into a vibrant, glossy topping. Generously paint the meatloaf’s surface with this sweet-tangy mixture, ensuring complete coverage.
- Culinary Completion: Slide meatloaf into preheated oven and bake for 55-60 minutes, confirming doneness when internal temperature reaches 160F (71C). Allow meatloaf to rest 10 minutes before slicing to preserve juiciness and structural integrity.
Notes
- Mix ingredients gently and avoid overmixing to prevent a tough, dense meatloaf texture. Handling the mixture too aggressively can compact the meat and create a less tender result.
- Layer cheese carefully in the center to create a molten, gooey surprise when slicing. Ensure cheese is evenly distributed to prevent clumping or uneven melting throughout the loaf.
- Use a meat thermometer for accurate doneness, checking multiple spots to confirm 160F internal temperature. Overcooking can dry out the meatloaf, while undercooking poses food safety risks.
- Allow meatloaf to rest 10 minutes after baking, which helps juices redistribute and makes slicing cleaner. Cutting too quickly can cause moisture loss and crumbly sections.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg