Meatloaf
Ingredients:
1 lb. ground beef
1/2 lb. ground mild Italian sausage
1 small onion, finely diced
1/2 cup chopped bell pepper
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon basil
1/2 teaspoon parsley
1 egg, beaten
3/4 cup Italian bread crumbs
2 slices of white bread, crumbled
1 tablespoon milk
8 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese, reserving 3/4 cup for topping
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
1 cup marinara sauce, plus an additional 1/2 to 3/4 cup for topping
📝 Instructions:
In a small skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat and sauté the onion and bell pepper for 3 to 4 minutes, then remove from heat.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground meats, sautéed onion and bell pepper, and all remaining ingredients, setting aside 3/4 cup of mozzarella cheese for the topping.
Using your hands, thoroughly mix all the ingredients until well combined. Once the mixture is cohesive, transfer it to a baking dish of your choice; an oval Portuguese stoneware dish is recommended.
Spread 1/2 to 3/4 cup of marinara sauce evenly over the top. Bake in a preheated oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 50 minutes. After baking, remove from the oven and add the remaining mozzarella cheese, sprinkling a little dried basil on top.
Return the dish to the oven for an additional 10 minutes. Ensure that the meatloaf is fully cooked and no longer pink before serving, as baking time may vary based on the thickness of the loaf.
