Print

Savory Pizza Meatloaf Recipe Easy Cheesy Tomato Topping Delight

savory pizza meatloaf - featured image
Print Recipe

A comforting meatloaf infused with classic pizza flavors, topped with a bubbly, golden cheesy tomato sauce. Perfect for a quick, hearty weeknight meal that combines the best of pizza and meatloaf.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1½ pounds ground beef (80/20 blend)
  • ¾ cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
  • 2 large eggs
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian herb blend (oregano, basil, thyme)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¾ cup tomato sauce (thick marinara or pizza sauce)
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Optional: chopped fresh basil or parsley for garnish
  • Optional: pinch of smoked paprika
  • Optional: half ground turkey instead of all beef

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, Italian-style breadcrumbs, eggs, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, dried Italian herbs, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently until evenly combined, avoiding overmixing.
  3. Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×5 inch loaf pan. Press down gently to fill the pan evenly and smooth the top.
  4. Spoon tomato sauce evenly over the top of the meatloaf, spreading gently and leaving some edges visible.
  5. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the tomato sauce layer. Optionally, add extra Parmesan on top for a golden crust.
  6. Bake in the preheated oven for 45-55 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C) and the cheese topping is bubbly and golden. If cheese browns too quickly, loosely cover with foil.
  7. Remove from oven and let rest for about 10 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
  8. Garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley if desired, then slice and serve.

Notes

Do not overmix the meat to avoid a dense loaf. Use a meat thermometer to ensure doneness at 160°F. Use thick tomato sauce to prevent sogginess. Let the meatloaf rest before slicing for moist, tender slices. Cheese topping can be covered with foil if browning too fast. Variations include swapping beef for turkey or lentils, adding jalapeños for spice, or mixing cheeses.

Nutrition

Keywords: meatloaf, pizza meatloaf, cheesy meatloaf, tomato topping, easy dinner, weeknight meal, comfort food, ground beef recipe

Find it online: https://swooshspice.com/savory-pizza-meatloaf-recipe-easy-cheesy-tomato-topping-delight/