This Stuffed Meatloaf starts with an incredibly flavorful meat and vegetable mixture that’s filled with a melty cheddar cheese and topped with an irresistible tangy sauce then baked to juicy perfection!
Thank you so much to Christy Irene for sharing this recipe with my audience!
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Hello, Everyone! My name is Christy and I blog at the site, Christy Irene. Maybe you are like me in the midst of this pandemic and utilizing some time to self-reflect and contemplate a lot of “what’s next?” While some things during this time are out of my control, I am spending this time clinging to the sweet memories of the past, the ones that bring great joy and comfort. This stuffed meatloaf recipe brings comfort opening a floodgate of lovely memories
Perks and Highlights
Cuisine Inspiration: Homestyle American with a Twist Reinventing the classic American dinner table superstar, this stuffed meatloaf brings surprises in every slice. Goodbye, monotony; hello, flavor extravaganza!
Primary Cooking Method: Baking Transforming a blend of choice meats and fillings into a tender, juicy loaf, the oven works its magic, baking everything to perfection, ensuring every bite is a flavor explosion.
Dietary Info: High-Protein, Gluten Options Available Packed with premium protein and easily adaptable for gluten-sensitive bellies, this meatloaf doesn’t just feed; it satisfies on all levels.
Key Flavor: Savory Meatiness with Creamy, Cheesy Goodness Imagine the hearty, savory depth of well-seasoned meat complemented by a molten core of creamy cheese and your choice of divine extras. It’s not just meatloaf; it’s an experience.
Skill Level: Easy to Intermediate Fear not, home chefs! This dish might look gourmet and taste sophisticated, but it’s totally achievable, even for those new to the kitchen ballet.
Special Perks:
- Surprise Inside: Beyond the hearty exterior lies a treasure trove of flavor — the customizable stuffed center guarantees a wow moment with each cut.
- Make-Ahead Marvel: Prepare it in the morning, pop it in the fridge, and bake it in the evening. It’s like a flavor-infusing pause button!
- Leftovers Level Up: This meatloaf morphs into mouthwatering sandwiches or stand-alone slices for a quick lunch or snacking.
- Family Affair: Involve the kids or your partner — stuffing and rolling up the meatloaf can be a fun, hands-on kitchen activity.
- Health Hackable: Easily tweakable! Go lean with turkey or chicken, or up the veggie content. It’s health-conscious comfort food, without skimping on the comfort part.
This stuffed meatloaf recipe isn’t just a meal; it’s a hearty hug in food form. Crafted with love and bursting with flavor, it’s set to become a cherished ritual in your recipe repertoire. Let’s make some homestyle culinary magic!
There is a version of meatloaf in many countries throughout the world. What unites them all is the usage of ground meat in addition to using eggs and bread crumbs as a binder. It is a meal that does not include a lot of difficult steps, perfect for the beginner in the kitchen. What makes stuffed meatloaf the ultimate comfort food is that it combines the comfort we long for in meatloaf with our love for things that are cheesy. And I love a cheesy meal!
Ingredients
For the Meatloaf:
- Ground Beef/Pork: Mix and match with 2 lbs of ground beef or switch it up with 1 lb each of beef and pork. Flexibility is king here; you’re the boss of this meat blend!
- Onion & Bell Pepper: Finely chopped and ready to weave their magic, these veggies aren’t just about health; they’re the secret behind the moisture and depth in your meatloaf.
- Fresh Parsley: Don’t underestimate these green specks of joy; they’re here to bring freshness to the party.
- Celery Stalk & Garlic Cloves: Finely chopped celery’s crunch and minced garlic’s punch are about to make this dish a knockout.
- Mustard: Not just a condiment on the side, it’s a flavor enhancer in the mix. Surprise!
- Eggs & Breadcrumbs: The binding dream team, making sure everything sticks together — because we’re about unity in this loaf.
- Milk: It’s the tenderizer in disguise, ensuring every bite is juicy and luscious.
- Seasoned Salt, Italian Seasoning & Black Pepper: The holy trinity of spices, turning the mundane into the magnificent.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Oh, hello, melty heaven inside each slice. Cue the drools.
For the Sauce:
- Ketchup & Yellow Mustard: The classic duo now in a glaze, ready to slather their tangy-sweet love all over this loaf.
- Brown Sugar: Because what’s life without a little sweetness?
- Garlic Powder & Onion Powder: Double trouble in powder form, upping the flavor game to the next level.
- Salt & Pepper: The oldies but goodies, tying everything together with their simplistic perfection.
How to Make Stuffed Meatloaf
Growing up in a family with many phenomenal cooks, I believed that cooking was indeed their super power. Each aunt and grandma had their own spin to how to make meatloaf. Every meatloaf I tasted coming out of their kitchens was amazing. In my early years of cooking, I anxiously tried to duplicate their style and learned that I had to have my own, tailoring the recipe to what my own family and I enjoy.
Stuffing the meatloaf with cheesy goodness is easy. Flavoring the ground meat with flavors you enjoy is where the magic happens. Fresh vegetables chopped finely add moisture and mounds of flavor to each and every bite. If I had a secret to amazing meatloaf, this would be it. How do I make stuffed meatloaf? I make it with love and spices and cheese in the middle.
Pro Tip: To get the moisture from the vegetables, save yourself and throw the onion, pepper, garlic, celery, and parsley into the food processor. This will save your life, and time!
What Type of Meat is Best for this Stuffed Meatloaf
When making meatloaf, I usually use 85% lean/15% fat or 90% lean/10% fat ground beef. When I want to add varying flavor, I will mix equal parts of ground sirloin (90/10) with ground pork. While chopped fresh seasonings add moisture, ground pork adds the juiciness. You can also combine ground beef and ground veal together. That combination also packs a powerful flavor punch.
As you make this meatloaf, I hope that you are flooded with wonderful memories of the past and those you have yet to create.
What to Serve it With
Mashed potatoes are the perfect recipe to serve with meatloaf. I especially love these Sour Cream ones or Cream Cheese ones that have a great tang flavor.
To balance the comforting hearty nature, you gotta have some greens in there. Southern green beans, brussels sprouts and of course my fave collard greens are excellent choices y’all.
Storage and Reheating
Storing Your Culinary Masterpiece:
- Let it Cool: Patience, dear foodies! Allow your meatloaf to cool down completely post-baking. Hot food in the fridge equals food bacteria’s playground!
- Wrap it Up: Hug your meatloaf snugly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. For those looking to win extra environmental points, airtight containers are your best friends!
- Refrigerate or Freeze: Off to the fridge it goes for 3-4 days of freshness. Planning way ahead? Store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. Future you will appreciate the gesture!
Reviving Your Meatloaf:
- Thaw it Out: If frozen, let it reunite with warmth gradually in the refrigerator overnight. No shortcuts here; defrosting at room temperature is a big no-no!
- Oven Lovin’: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the meatloaf in a baking dish and add a splash of water or broth to keep it moist and happy. Cover with foil to trap in the moisture and heat.
- Warm it Up: Heat your refrigerated or thawed meatloaf for 20-30 minutes. Frozen slice? Give it about 45 minutes. Check the internal temperature — 165°F (74°C) means it’s ready!
- Optional – Broil for Crunch: Want to revive that crispy edge? Give it a quick broil for 2-3 minutes after reheating, but keep a close eye to avoid charring your masterpiece.
Comforting Beef Recipes
If you love this recipe, you will also love this Classic Meatloaf Recipe, Pizza Meatloaf, Salisbury Steak Meatball Skillet and Mississippi Pot Roast recipe.
Stuffed Meatloaf
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Ingredients
For the Meatloaf
- 2 lb ground beef or 1 lb ground beef and 1 lb of ground pork
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 1 bell pepper seeded and finely chopped
- 3 tbsp fresh parsley finely chopped
- 1 celery stalk finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 2 tbsp mustard
- 2 large eggs
- 3/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1/2 tbsp seasoned salt
- 1 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
For the Sauce
- 3/4 cup ketchup
- 1 tbsp yellow mustard
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
For the Meatloaf
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Combine all of the ingredients together in a mixing bowl with the exception of the shredded cheddar cheese.
- Form the meat mixture into the shape of the 9” x 5” loaf pan and place in the pan.
- Make a horizontal well down the center of the meatloaf with your hand, wide enough to add the shredded cheese. Place the cheese in the middle of the meatloaf and seal the opening with the meat mixture so that no cheese is exposed.
- Place in the oven and bake for 40 minutes.
For the Sauce
- While the meatloaf is baking, mix the ingredients for the sauce in a small bowl.
- After 40 minutes, take the meatloaf out of the oven and spoon the sauce to cover the top of the meatloaf. Place the meatloaf back in the oven to continue cooking for 10 additional minutes.
- Remove the meatloaf from the oven and allow it to rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Chop Like a Pro: To get the moisture outta those veggies, throw the onion, pepper, garlic, celery, and parsley into a food processor. This keeps your meatloaf from getting soggy, and it’ll save you from all that chopping!
- Don’t Overmix: When combining the meat mixture, go easy on the mixing. You want everything combined but not packed down like a brick.
- Let It Rest: Give your meatloaf a good 10 minutes to rest before slicing into it. This helps the juices redistribute and keeps it from falling apart when you slice it up.
- Seal That Cheese: Make sure to fully close up the meat mixture around the cheese when stuffing it. No cheese peeking out, or it’ll overflow or get burnt.
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So wonderful.
Everyone loved this.
This is my 3rd time making this recipe. My family loves it
And each time I’ve made it was finished off before dinner time the next day.
Thank you for the wonderful recipes!
Just made this for supper. Was delicious! My husband was not crazy on the red sauce, i loved it. So next time i will just cook the sauce separately in a pot on the stove. I took a picture but cannot see where to post it.
Loving all the flavors in this stuffed meatloaf with that amazing sauce on top.
my mouth is watering just looking at this! there’s nothing better than a meatloaf dinner when it comes to comfort food. Adding to my list now!
Wow!! This is going to be a family favorite for sure! I love the melty cheese in here! Looks incredible.
This was surely a family favorite! So flavorful and tender.
I haven’t made meatloaf in such a long time. This is a great reminder for me, it certainly looks delicious!