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My mozzarella stuffed meatloaf recipe will quickly become your new favorite dinner. It’s juicy, cheesy, and my family’s favorite way to enjoy meatloaf.
Stuffed meatloaf is as drool-worthy as it sounds.
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!
It uses simple ingredients and makes a fabulous weeknight dinner.
Stuffed proteins are a family favorite here! Try my stuffed salmon, stuffed pork loin, stuffed pork chops, and stuffed chicken breast next.
Key Ingredients
- 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.
More comfort food dinner ideas
Stuffed Meatloaf
Video
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
So creativs recipe! Full of flavours, nice looking. Wow!
I thought this was just ok. I found it to be tough and dry and my mozzarella disappeared. I personally won’t make again.
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 💕