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My mozzarella stuffed meatloaf recipe will quickly become your new favorite dinner. Every bite of juicy ground beef and gooey, melted cheese is completely addictive!
Stuffed proteins are a family favorite here! Try my stuffed salmon, stuffed pork loin, stuffed pork chops, and stuffed chicken breast next.
I can thank my mom for my complete obsession with comfort food, especially meatloaf. Her classic cheese-stuffed meatloaf was a dinner I always looked forward to, and today, I’ve been given permission to share her famous recipe with you all!
Table of Contents
Why I love this recipe
- Cheesy, beefy flavor. What could be better than meat stuffed with cheese for dinner? The ground beef mixture is well seasoned and deliciously juicy, while the melted cheese in the middle makes every bite almost too good to be true.
- An easy weeknight dinner. With very little prep needed, this makes such a quick and easy dinner!
- Simple ingredients. You only need a short list of easy-to-find and budget-friendly ingredients to whip this up.
Ingredients needed
- Ground beef. Use regular ground beef so the meatloaf stays nice and juicy. I don’t suggest using lean or extra lean beef because it does not do this dish justice!
- Panko breadcrumbs. To help soak up the excess moisture and bind the meat mixture together.
- Heavy cream. For moisture.
- Egg. To help bind the meat mixture together.
- Soy sauce. For that punch of umami flavor.
- Spices. I’m using a mix of Italian seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, and black pepper.
- Mozzarella cheese. Use sliced mozzarella cheese, not shredded cheese.
- Fresh parsley. For garnish.
How to make stuffed meatloaf
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1 – Make the meat mixture. Mix the ground beef, breadcrumbs, heavy cream, egg, soy sauce, and spices together in a large bowl. Knead it with your hands until everything just comes together.
Step 2 – Stuff the meatloaf. Press half of the meat mixture into a prepared loaf pan. Lay the mozzarella slices on top, then cover with the rest of the meat mixture.
Step 3 – Bake the meatloaf until it’s cooked through. Let it rest while you make the meatloaf glaze.
Step 4 – Make the glaze. Stir a 1:1 mixture of ketchup and barbecue sauce together in a small bowl. Brush it over the top of the slightly cooled meatloaf, then garnish with fresh parsley. Slice and enjoy!
Arman’s recipe tips
- Don’t overwork the meat mixture! Knead the ingredients until they just come together. Overmixing can leave you with dense and dry meatloaf.
- You’ll know the meatloaf is done baking when the internal temperature is 70ºC/160ºF.
- Let the meatloaf cool for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing. This way, the juices will soak back into the meat, and the loaf will hold together.
Variations
- Use other ground meat, including ground pork, ground chicken (NOT lean), or ground lamb. I don’t recommend ground turkey as it is a little too dry.
- Instead of mozzarella, stuff the meatloaf with another great melting cheese, like sliced cheddar cheese, havarti, or pepper jack.
- Fold through flavor boosters like mustard, brown sugar, or mashed potatoes.
Storage instructions
To store: Cover the cooked and cooled meatloaf with a layer of plastic or foil, then store it in the fridge for up to 1 week.
To reheat: The meatloaf or slices can be reheated quickly in the microwave or in a 350ºF oven for a few minutes. Brush the outside with some water to keep it from drying out.
To freeze: Keep the leftovers in an airtight container, then freeze for up to 6 months.
Frequently asked questions
The best way to make a moist and juicy meatloaf is to avoid overworking the meat mixture. Also, use regular ground beef rather than lean ground beef. The natural juices in the meat will prevent the meatloaf from drying out.
You can bake the meatloaf uncovered. However, if the outside is cooking too quickly or becoming crispy, you can cover it with a layer of aluminum foil.
Yes. You can use gluten free breadcrumbs, my keto breadcrumbs, or almond flour instead of regular panko breadcrumbs. Remember to replace the soy sauce with tamari, too.
More comfort food dinner ideas
- Lasagna with Cottage Cheese
- Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
- Chicken Cordon Bleu
- Ribeye roast
- Meatballs and gravy
Stuffed Meatloaf
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
- 1 large egg whisked
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon parsley fresh
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 6 ounces mozzarella cheese sliced
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 190C/375F. Line the 9 x 5-inch pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large bowl, mix together meat, breadcrumbs, heavy cream, beaten egg, soy sauce, and spices. Knead the meat with your hands until everything comes together. Take half of the mixture and tuck it into the loaf pan, pressing evenly.
- Arrange cheese slices in the middle and cover them with the rest of the meat mixture, making sure to seal the edges and cover the cheese from all sides.
- Bake meatloaf for 45 minutes. Let it sit for five minutes, before brushing with ketchup and barbecue sauce before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Originally published May 2023, updated and republished November 2024
Wow this is so amazing recipe. Stuffed haha. Very interesting.
Simple and awesome !
Was so easy to make and delicious! I used a combination of ground beef, pork and veal and instead of the ketchup/bbq sauce went with brown gravy. My family loved it. Definitely keeping this one around for the future.
How can I get a copy of it
This looks amazing. I was thinking of substituting pork rinds for the bread crumbs and I saw you also recommended almond flour. Any opinion as to which might be the best choice? I’m just looking to make this keto-friendly. Also I love your website and share it often!
I made the meatloaf today it’s delicious 😋Thank you 💕