Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup chopped yellow onion
- 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 1 large egg
- 1 lb. 93% lean ground beef
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup 2% milk
- 2 Tbsp ketchup
- 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp dried parsley leaves
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 4 oz. mozzarella cheese, chopped into 1/2 inch cubes
Topping
- 1/4 cup ketchup
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the meatloaf.
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion and green bell pepper, cooking for 5-6 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
- Prepare Meatloaf Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, lightly scramble the egg with a fork. Add ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, dried parsley, and black pepper. Once the sautéed vegetables are cool enough to handle, add them to the bowl.
- Combine Ingredients: Using your hands, thoroughly mix and mash all ingredients together until evenly combined.
- Add Cheese: Gently fold the cubed mozzarella cheese into the meat mixture until well distributed.
- Shape Meatloaf: Transfer the mixture to a 9×13 inch baking dish. Press and shape into a uniform loaf.
- Apply Topping: Spread the ketchup evenly over the top and sides of the meatloaf for moisture and flavor.
- Bake: Place in the preheated oven and bake for 55 minutes, until the meatloaf is cooked through and the topping is set.
- Rest and Serve: Let the meatloaf cool for 10 minutes to allow juices to redistribute before slicing into 10 equal pieces for serving.
Notes
- Use 93% lean ground beef for a good balance of juiciness and fat content.
- Allow the sautéed vegetables to cool before adding to the meat mixture to avoid prematurely cooking the egg.
- You can substitute mozzarella with provolone or cheddar cheese for different flavor profiles.
- Letting the meatloaf rest after baking improves slicing and helps retain moisture.
- For a gluten-free version, replace breadcrumbs with gluten-free crumbs or ground oats.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American