Recipe: Italian Style Meatloaf

Ahhh...one bite is all it took!

This meatloaf was inspired and adapted by the family passed down recipe ;) Classic italian flavors, tomato sauce, and cheese make this a satisfying protein-packed dish! Give it a go & enjoy!

Ingredients:

1 yellow onion, diced

olive oil, for sautéing

3 cloves garlic

1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning

1 egg

1 (12 oz) can tomato sauce + more for topping off meatloaf

1 tablespoon tomato paste

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

2lbs meat of choice (I usually use beef/pork/veal)

1/2 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs ( I used 1/4 cup of homemade breadcrumbs from stale bread)

salt & pepper

2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated

1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded

Directions:

1.) Heat a skillet with enough oil to cover bottom of pan over medium-low heat, add onion saute until tender. Add garlic, saute until fragrant. Set aside to cool.

2.) Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. In a large bowl whisk together egg, 3/4 tomato sauce, tomato paste, and Worcestershire. Add ground meat, bread crumbs, salt and pepper, Parmesan cheese and sauteed onion and garlic. Combine with a fork.

3.) In a large, greased roasting pan spoon 3/4 marinara sauce on the bottom. Form the meat on top of sauce into a loaf. Spread the remaining sauce over top and sprinkle with mozzarella.

4.) Bake about 45 minutes or until no longer pink in the middle. Let set five minutes before serving. Additional parmesan cheese sprinkled on top is also a good idea!

Serving suggestion -- serve with pasta :)