Italian Meatloaf

4.91 from 30 votes

Italian Meatloaf is a tender, flavorful meatloaf made from a combination of ground beef and Italian sausage. Cooked in a rich tomato sauce and covered with a thick layer of Fontina cheese. So delicious!

Prep Time20

Cook Time1

Total Time1 20

Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: ground beef recipes, meatloaf

Servings:

Equipment

9x13-inch baking dish

Ingredients

Sauce

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
3 garlic cloves minced
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon salt

Meatloaf

35 saltine squares one full sleeve
3/4 cup whole milk
2 large eggs
1 pound 85% lean ground beef
1 pound sweet Italian sausage
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup finely diced onion
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teapsoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teapsoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 cup shredded fontina cheese or mozzarella cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

Instructions

To make the sauce, heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add remaining ingredients and simmer for 5 to 8 minutes. Set aside.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees and lightly grease a broiler-safe 9x13-inch pan.
Place saltines in a large ziptop bag and crush with a rolling pin.
Stir together the saltines, milk, and eggs in a large bowl. Let sit 5 minutes.
Stir again so that it forms a paste.
Add all remaining ingredients EXCEPT fontina cheese and basil. Mix thoroughly.
Transfer mixture to prepared dish and shape into a 9x5-inch oval. Pour sauce over meatloaf.
Cover with foil and bake for 1 hour.
Uncover and sprinkle with fontina. Place under broiler until cheese is melted. Let rest 10 minutes. Spoon off any grease from tomato sauce. Slice meatloaf and sprinkle with basil.

Video

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