Description
Let me introduce you to the ultimate comfort food makeover – a juicy, flavor-packed meatloaf with a molten mozzarella core that oozes cheesy goodness with every slice. This isn’t your grandma’s dry, boring meatloaf. Nope! This is a game-changer that’ll have everyone at the table fighting for seconds. I came up with this recipe after a late-night craving for both meatloaf and pizza, and figured – why choose? The combination of savory meat, Italian herbs, and that stretchy cheese pull when you cut into it… pure dinner magic!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Meatloaf:
- 2 lbs ground beef (I use 80/20 for the best flavor-to-juiciness ratio)
- 1/2 lb ground pork (trust me, this adds so much flavor and moisture)
- 1 medium onion, diced small (nobody wants to bite into huge onion chunks)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced (or 5 if you’re a garlic fiend like me)
- 2 eggs (the glue that holds our masterpiece together)
- 3/4 cup breadcrumbs (Italian seasoned if you have them)
- 1/4 cup milk (helps keep everything moist)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (the real stuff, not the sawdust in a can)
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (dried works in a pinch, use 1 tbsp)
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (the secret weapon of flavor)
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning (or make your own blend of oregano, basil, etc.)
- 1 tsp salt (maybe a bit more if you like things salty)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
For the Cheese Stuffing:
- 10 oz mozzarella, cut into thick sticks (low moisture works best)
- Optional: 2 tbsp pesto or sun-dried tomatoes for extra flavor with the cheese
For the Glaze:
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar (this makes ALL the difference)
- 1 tsp garlic powder