Y’all think you’ve had meatloaf? Well, hold on to your hats boos, because this Stuffed Meatloaf is THE ultimate meatloaf! It starts with an incredibly flavorful meat and vegetable mixture that’s filled with melty cheddar cheese and topped with an irresistible tangy sauce then baked to juicy perfection! Perfect for a weeknight dinner or when you wanna show off to the fam.
Thank you so much to Christy Irene for sharing this recipe with my audience!
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So, you’ve already mastered my classic meatloaf recipe… Now what? Well, we’re steppin’ it up, y’all! I’ve seen mac and cheese stuffed versions, mashed potato stuffed ones too, but here’s the thing: cheese just belongs in everything, especially when it comes to meatloaf. So, what do we do? We stuff it! Because why sprinkle when you can smother, right? Get ready to slice into this baby and watch that cheesy goodness ooze out!
The Lowdown on This Stuffed Meatloaf
Cuisine Inspiration: Homestyle American with a Twist
Primary Cooking Method: Baking
Dietary Info: High-Protein, Gluten-Free Options Available
Key Flavor: Savory Meatiness with Creamy, Cheesy Goodness
Skill Level: Easy peasy boos!
Cheesy Goodness
What makes stuffed meatloaf the ultimate comfort food? It’s all about that cheese, baby! You get the cozy, hearty vibe from the meatloaf and then a gooey, cheesy surprise in every bite.
Hands-On Fun
Stuffing and rolling up this meatloaf is a fun little kitchen project. Involve the kids or your partner, they’ll love getting their hands dirty! Plus, it’s way more fun to eat when everyone’s had a part in making it.
Perfect for Make-Ahead Meals
You can easily prep this meatloaf in the morning, pop it in the fridge, and bake it in the evening when you’re ready for dinner. Low stress, high flavor.
Ingredients you’ll need to make Stuffed Meatloaf
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 are the secret behind the moisture and depth in your cheese stuffed 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.
- Mustard: Not just a condiment on the side, it’s a flavor enhancer in the mix. Surprise boos!
- Eggs & Breadcrumbs: The binding dream team, making sure everything sticks together.
- 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!
- 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 lil’ 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.
How to make Stuffed Meatloaf
What to serve with this cheesy meatloaf
- Mash It Up: When it comes to meatloaf, mashed potatoes are a no-brainer. Whip up some slow cooker mashed potatoes, garlic mashed, or sweet potato.
- Greens for Days: Balance all that cheesy goodness with some turnip greens or creamed spinach.
- Bread Game: How about putting this cheeseburger meatloaf between some flaky biscuits for the ultimate sandwich? Or, you can serve it up with honey butter dinner rolls or classic garlic bread.
- Finish Strong with Dessert: After a hearty meal like this, you can’t skip dessert! Treat yourself to some apple cider cake or a slice of 7UP cake.
Recipe Substitutions
- Breadcrumbs: To make this cheesy meatloaf gluten-free, just use panko or even crushed gluten-free crackers.
- Cheese: You can swap out the cheddar for mozzarella, pepper jack, or provolone. Or throw in a mix of cheeses for even more melty goodness!
- Seasoned Salt: Use regular salt and a little paprika for some flavor. You could also use garlic salt or onion salt.
- Glaze: Switch up the sauce on top with a honey mustard glaze or BBQ sauce.
Recipe Variations and Additions
- Double the Cheese: If you’re a cheese lover like me, sprinkle some parmesan cheese right into the meat mixture before stuffing it.
- Add Veggies: For a healthier twist, stuff the meatloaf with veggies like zucchini, broccoli, or even spinach.
- Add Some Heat: Toss in some chopped jalapeños or red pepper flakes to the meat mixture. Just the right amount of kick y’all!
- Herb Boost: Fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme sprinkled on top before baking can elevate the flavor of this stuffed meatloaf to new, sophisticated heights.
Expert Tips and Tricks for making the best stuffed meatloaf recipe
- 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.
How to store & reheat Stuffed Meatloaf
Hug your meatloaf snugly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store it in the fridge. For those looking to win extra environmental points, airtight containers are your best friends!
To reheat, 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, and bake for 30-40 minutes. Want to revive that crispy edge? Give it a quick broil for 2-3 minutes after reheating!
How long will Stuffed Meatloaf last in the fridge?
This meatloaf will stay fresh in the fridge for about 3 to 4 days. Perfect for leftovers or meal prepping.
Can I freeze cheeseburger meatloaf?
Fo sho boo! Wrap the cooked meatloaf tightly in plastic wrap, followed by a layer of foil, or pop it in a freezer-safe bag. It’ll stay good for up to 3 months, which means you’ve got dinner on standby whenever life gets busy.
Frequently asked questions
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.
The best way to tell is by using a meat thermometer. Stick it in the thickest part of the loaf, and you want it to read 160°F for perfectly cooked meatloaf.
Make sure you’re using enough binder (like the eggs and breadcrumbs) and letting it rest after cooking. Also, don’t skip out on chopping the veggies finely enough! Big chunks can make it fall apart when you slice it.
If meatloaf wasn’t already a comfort food champion, this stuffed version just took the crown! It’s juicy, cheesy, and loaded with flavor… What more could you want? Plus, it’s easy to make ahead, and the kids can even help out. Now go on and get stuffin’, boos!
More Comforting Beef Recipes
- Classic Meatloaf Recipe
- Pizza Meatloaf
- Italian Beef Grilled Cheese
- Salisbury Steak Meatball Skillet
- Mississippi Pot Roast
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!