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Cheesy Lasagna-Stuffed Meatloaf with Garlic Bread Crust

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This hearty dinner mashup combines juicy meatloaf, a creamy lasagna cheese filling, and a golden, crunchy garlic bread crust. It’s a crowd-pleasing comfort food that’s easy enough for weeknights but impressive enough for special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs ground beef (80% lean)
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs (plain or Italian-style)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup milk (whole or 2%)
  • 1 small onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese (for filling)
  • 1 egg (for filling)
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil (or 1 tsp dried)
  • 1 cup marinara sauce (plus extra for serving)
  • 1 loaf Italian bread, sliced 1-inch thick
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely minced (for bread)
  • 2 tbsp chopped parsley (optional)
  • 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese (for sprinkling on bread)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Slice Italian bread into 1-inch thick pieces and arrange on a baking sheet.
  3. Mix melted butter, minced garlic, and parsley. Brush over bread slices.
  4. Sprinkle parmesan cheese on bread and bake for 10 minutes until golden and crisp. Set aside.
  5. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, milk, onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and parmesan. Mix gently until just combined.
  6. In another bowl, mix ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan, egg, basil, and 1/2 cup marinara sauce until smooth.
  7. On a parchment-lined surface, flatten half the meatloaf mixture into a rectangle about 1-inch thick.
  8. Spread lasagna filling over the meat, leaving a 1/2-inch border.
  9. Cover with remaining meatloaf mixture, pressing edges to seal.
  10. Transfer to a loaf pan or shape free-form on a sheet pan.
  11. Arrange toasted garlic bread slices on top, pressing gently to adhere.
  12. Cover loosely with foil and bake for 45 minutes.
  13. Remove foil, spoon remaining marinara sauce over bread, and bake an additional 15 minutes, until meatloaf is cooked through (internal temp 160°F).
  14. Let rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing.
  15. Slice thick and serve with extra marinara sauce.

Notes

Don’t overmix the meatloaf to keep it tender. Always toast the bread before adding it as a crust to prevent sogginess. Let the meatloaf rest before slicing to keep the cheese filling from oozing out. Cover with foil if the bread browns too quickly. For extra crunch, broil for 2 minutes at the end, watching closely.

Nutrition

Keywords: cheesy lasagna-stuffed meatloaf, garlic bread crust, easy dinner, comfort food, Italian meatloaf, stuffed meatloaf, lasagna meatloaf, family meal

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