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Cozy Stuffed Meatloaf with Mozzarella and Spinach

cozy stuffed meatloaf - featured image

A warm, cheesy, spinach-filled meatloaf that is simple, satisfying, and perfect for cozy dinners. This recipe features a juicy ground beef base stuffed with fresh spinach and melty mozzarella, topped with a sweet and tangy glaze.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ pounds ground beef (80/20 preferred)
  • ½ cup breadcrumbs (panko recommended)
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • ¼ cup whole milk
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup fresh spinach, roughly chopped
  • 6 ounces mozzarella cheese, sliced or shredded
  • ½ cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or grease a loaf pan.
  2. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, beaten egg, milk, chopped onion, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix gently to avoid overworking the meat.
  3. Flatten half the meat mixture into a 9×5 inch rectangle about 1 inch thick on the baking sheet or in the loaf pan.
  4. Layer the chopped spinach evenly over the meat layer, then arrange mozzarella slices on top.
  5. Cover the spinach and cheese with the remaining meat mixture. Press gently to seal the edges and smooth the top.
  6. In a small bowl, whisk together ketchup, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce. Spread evenly over the top of the meatloaf.
  7. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C) and the glaze is bubbly and caramelized.
  8. Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing to allow juices to redistribute.

Notes

Do not overmix the meat to avoid a dense meatloaf. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 160°F. Rest the meatloaf before slicing for moist, tender pieces. Tent with foil if glaze browns too quickly. Glaze variations include swapping ketchup for BBQ sauce or adding hot sauce for heat. For gluten-free, use gluten-free breadcrumbs. For low-carb, substitute breadcrumbs with almond flour and milk with Greek yogurt.

Nutrition

Keywords: meatloaf, stuffed meatloaf, mozzarella, spinach, comfort food, easy dinner, cozy meal