Sicilian Meatloaf
A flavorful and cheesy meatloaf filled with ham, mozzarella, and fresh herbs, perfect for family dinners.
Equipment
- Oven Preheat to 350°F (175°C).
- Skillet For sautéing vegetables.
- Mixing bowl For combining ingredients.
- Parchment paper To roll the meatloaf.
- Baking sheet For baking the meatloaf.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 red bell pepper finely chopped
- 1 small red onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 lbs ground beef
- ¾ cup Italian style breadcrumbs
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 eggs
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
- About ¼ lb deli ham
- 12-15 large fresh basil leaves
- 1 ¼ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Marinara sauce
- Cooked pasta or zucchini noodles if desired
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
- Heat olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat.
- Add chopped onion and red pepper. Sauté for about 5 minutes until onions are translucent.
- Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, eggs, tomato paste, salt, pepper, parsley, and the cooked vegetable mixture. Mix well using your hands.
- Lay out a large sheet of parchment paper on the counter and place the meat mixture in the center.
- Pat the meat mixture into a rectangle about 8"x15".
- Layer ham, basil leaves, and mozzarella cheese on top of the meat, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges.
- Starting from the 8-inch end, roll the meatloaf up jelly roll style, using the parchment paper to guide you.
- Press down on the top seam to seal and press the ends together to seal as well.
- Place the roll on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for 1 hour in the preheated oven.
- Remove from the oven, tent with aluminum foil, and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
- Serve over pasta or zucchini noodles, if desired, and top with marinara sauce.
Notes
Slicing the meatloaf roll after resting allows for cleaner slices. Feel free to customize the fillings with your favorite ingredients like different cheeses or vegetables.