: Italian Meatloaf

Ingredients

• 2 lbs (about 900 g) ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork, if desired)
• 1 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 tbsp dried parsley)
• 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 1 1/2 cups marinara or Italian tomato sauce, divided

Instructions

1. 1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Allow it to fully preheat while you prepare the meatloaf mixture so it bakes evenly from the start. Lightly grease a loaf pan or line a baking sheet with parchment paper if you prefer to shape the loaf free-form.
   2. Mix the wet ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the eggs and milk, whisking gently until the mixture is smooth. This step helps the breadcrumbs hydrate and bind the meatloaf, keeping it moist and tender once baked.
   3. Add the aromatics and seasonings: Stir in the diced onion, minced garlic, chopped parsley, Italian seasoning, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix until the seasonings are evenly distributed. This ensures the flavor is carried throughout the entire loaf instead of sitting in pockets.
   4. Add breadcrumbs and cheese: Add the Italian-style breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, and 1/2 cup of the shredded mozzarella. Toss everything together until the breadcrumbs are moistened and the cheese is evenly incorporated. The cheesy breadcrumb mixture forms a flavorful base that will cling to the ground meat.
   5. Combine with the meat: Add the ground beef to the bowl. Using clean hands or a spatula, gently mix just until everything is combined. Avoid overworking the mixture, as this can make the meatloaf dense. You want the ingredients to be evenly distributed while keeping the texture light.