Meatloaf with tomato sauce is a comforting, flavorful dish filled with ground beef, ham, cheese, and spinach. This hearty recipe makes a perfect main meal for family dinners and special occasions, especially when served with roasted potatoes, pasta, or fresh vegetables.
To make this stuffed meatloaf, you combine ground beef with Parmesan, garlic, parsley, egg, and milk-soaked bread before spreading it out and filling it with ham, cheese, and spinach. The meat is then rolled into a log and cooked in a rich tomato sauce infused with garlic and fresh basil. Tender, juicy meat, a delicious cheesy filling, and savory tomato sauce make this recipe one you will want to prepare again and again.
What is Meatloaf With Tomato Sauce?
Meatloaf with tomato sauce is a variation of traditional meatloaf, a dish made by combining ground meat with ingredients such as eggs, breadcrumbs, and seasonings before shaping and cooking it. This version takes inspiration from Italian-style stuffed meat dishes, featuring layers of ham, melted cheese, and spinach rolled inside seasoned ground beef.
The milk-soaked bread helps keep the meat tender and moist, while Parmesan, garlic, and fresh herbs add plenty of flavor. Cooking the meatloaf in tomato sauce allows it to absorb the rich flavors of the tomatoes and garlic, creating a delicious sauce that can be spooned over each slice before serving.
Pro Tips
- Allow the bread to soften in the milk completely before mixing it with the ground beef. This helps create a tender, moist meatloaf.
- Drain the spinach well. If using cooked spinach, squeeze out any excess moisture before adding it to the filling to prevent the meatloaf from becoming watery.
- Check the internal temperature with a food thermometer to ensure the center of the meatloaf reaches 160°F (71°C) so it is safe to eat.
- Let the meatloaf rest before you slice it. Allowing the meatloaf to rest for several minutes after cooking helps the filling set and makes it easier to slice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Use a Different Meat for This Meatloaf?
Absolutely! Ground pork, ground turkey, or a mixture of ground beef and pork can be used instead of ground beef. Keep in mind that cooking times may vary depending on the type of meat you use, though.
Can I Bake the Meatloaf Instead of Cooking It in Tomato Sauce?
Yes, you can bake the stuffed meatloaf in the oven. Place it in a baking dish, cover it with tomato sauce, and bake until the center reaches 160°F (71°C). However, the cooking time will depend on the thickness of the meatloaf. You can also bake it covered for most of the cooking time and uncover it toward the end if you prefer a thicker sauce.
Can I Prepare Meatloaf with Tomato Sauce Ahead of Time?
Yes, you can assemble the meatloaf, cover it, and refrigerate it before cooking. For the best results, cook it within 24 hours of preparation and keep it refrigerated until you are ready to cook it.
How to Store Meatloaf With Tomato Sauce
Leftover meatloaf with tomato sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. Keep the meatloaf covered with some of the sauce to help it stay moist when you reheat it. You can also freeze cooked portions with the tomato sauce in freezer-safe containers. Simply thaw them in the refrigerator before reheating them until they are heated through.
Ingredients
How to Make Stuffed Meatloaf With Tomato Sauce
Break the bread into small pieces and place them in a bowl. Pour the milk over the bread and let it soak until softened. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, softened bread, egg, Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, chopped parsley, and salt until they are evenly combined.
Break the bread into small pieces and place them in a bowl. Pour the milk over the bread and let it soak until softened. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, softened bread, egg, Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, chopped parsley, and salt until they are evenly combined.
Spread the meat mixture into a rectangle on a sheet of baking parchment. Arrange the ham, cheese, and spinach over the surface, leaving a small border around the edges.
Spread the meat mixture into a rectangle on a sheet of baking parchment. Arrange the ham, cheese, and spinach over the surface, leaving a small border around the edges.
Carefully roll the meat mixture into a log with parchment paper, enclosing the filling inside. Press the edges together to seal the meatloaf and help prevent the cheese from escaping during cooking.
Carefully roll the meat mixture into a log with parchment paper, enclosing the filling inside. Press the edges together to seal the meatloaf and help prevent the cheese from escaping during cooking.
Heat a little olive oil in a large, deep pan over medium heat. Add the remaining garlic and cook briefly until fragrant. Pour in the tomatoes, season with salt, and add fresh basil.
Heat a little olive oil in a large, deep pan over medium heat. Add the remaining garlic and cook briefly until fragrant. Pour in the tomatoes, season with salt, and add fresh basil.
Carefully place the stuffed meatloaf into the tomato sauce. Cover and simmer gently, turning carefully if necessary, until the meatloaf is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C). Add a little water if the sauce becomes too thick.
Carefully place the stuffed meatloaf into the tomato sauce. Cover and simmer gently, turning carefully if necessary, until the meatloaf is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C). Add a little water if the sauce becomes too thick.
Allow the meatloaf to rest for several minutes before slicing. Serve with plenty of tomato sauce spooned over the top, garnish with fresh parsley or basil, and enjoy!
Allow the meatloaf to rest for several minutes before slicing. Serve with plenty of tomato sauce spooned over the top, garnish with fresh parsley or basil, and enjoy!
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