Ingredients
Meatloaf
- 1 ½ pounds 80%-90% lean ground beef, or ground turkey
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup milk, or beef broth
- 1 large egg, whisked
- 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 Tablespoons ketchup
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper, plus more for topping (optional)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 4-8 ounces mozzarella cheese, sliced
Sauce
- ⅔ cup ketchup or BBQ sauce (you can mix half and half)
- 2-3 Tablespoons light brown sugar
- Fresh parsley, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet or a 9×5-inch loaf pan with foil and lightly spray it with nonstick spray to prevent sticking.
- Mix the Meatloaf Ingredients: In a large bowl, gently combine the ground beef, panko breadcrumbs, milk or beef broth, whisked egg, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, Italian seasoning, kosher salt, ground black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix using a wooden spoon or your hands just until combined, taking care not to overwork the meat which can make the meatloaf tough.
- Shape the Meatloaf and Add Cheese: Remove half of the meat mixture and form it into a loaf shape on the prepared pan or press it into the loaf pan. Lay the sliced mozzarella down the center of this base, leaving about a ½-inch border around the edges. Cover with the remaining meat mixture and shape into a sealed loaf, ensuring the edges are well sealed to keep the cheese inside during baking.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the ketchup and/or BBQ sauce and light brown sugar until smooth. Pour or spread this mixture evenly over the top of the meatloaf. Optionally, sprinkle additional ground black pepper over the sauce.
- Bake the Meatloaf: Place the meatloaf in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 45 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C) when checked with a meat thermometer.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the meatloaf from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute and make slicing easier. Slice the meatloaf and garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.
- Optional Last Step: Leave a comment and rating if you enjoyed making this recipe.
Notes
- Substitutions: Use 1 cup chopped onion and 1 Tablespoon minced garlic instead of onion powder and garlic powder for a fresher flavor. Sauté them in olive oil before mixing into the meat.
- Add heat by including a pinch of red pepper flakes in the meat mixture or a few dashes of chili sauce or sriracha in the meatloaf sauce.
- For extra sauciness, prepare additional sauce to brush over the meatloaf during the last 10 minutes of baking or to serve on the side for dipping.
- Storage: Leftover meatloaf should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and can be kept for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American