Meatloaf Parmesan
Enjoy this mixed ground turkey and ground beef meatloaf with Parmesan cheese and shredded Italian cheese—an easy Italian meatloaf recipe.
This Meatloaf Parmesan is one of our family favorite weeknight meals. With easy steps, you pop it in the oven, while you make potatoes and green beans, and BAM—you have an awesome meatloaf dinner!
Meatloaf Parmesan
Serve this Parmesan Meatloaf with a house salad for a full meal. We love this gourmet version!
If you love our Chicken Parmesan or Best Italian Pasta Bake, smothered in cheese, then you will love our Italian style meatloaf. Every bite is like a meatball (yum), and any leftovers make the best sandwiches, wraps, or sliders the next day.
There are so many versions of meatloaf, but this is our easy, go-to recipe. You can also try our Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf – so good. Whip up a side of Green Beans with bacon and onions, if you don’t want to serve with a salad.
Why we love this recipe
- The meatloaf is super moist and full of flavor.
- It’s loaded with sauce and cheese.
- Leftovers are amazing for sandwiches the next day.
Ingredients for making Meatloaf Parmesan
- Meat: Ground turkey and ground beef (the mix is perfect!)
- Eggs
- Breadcrumbs: use regular or Panko
- Spices: Basil, thyme, oregano
- Garlic
- Onion
- Salt and pepper
- Cheese: Parmesan cheese and Italian cheese (shredded)
- Marinara pasta sauce: we use Delallo brand
- Fresh parsley
How do you make Parmesan Meatloaf?
- Prepare a 9×5 loaf pan with cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, add the ground turkey, ground beef, eggs, breadcrumbs, and dried spices. Add the pressed or minced garlic, grated onion, salt and pepper. Add in the grated Parmesan cheese. Mix the meat with your hands (you can spray your hands with cooking spray), but do not over-mix. The secret to good meatloaf is to not over-mix it, but to keep air in the mixture.
- Place the meat in the loaf pan, pressing down, and form a slightly rounded top.
- Next, spread the marinara pasta sauce over the meat. Add the shredded cheese on top, with finely chopped fresh parsley.
- Place a cookie sheet under the loaf pan, in case it spills over. There will be lots of juices and drippings on the sheet around the meatloaf.
- Bake! Check the meat. The best way to know when a meatloaf is done is by checking its internal temperature; as soon as it hits 155°F, you can pull it from the oven.
Tips and substitutions:
- Use all ground beef or all ground turkey (or chicken), if you prefer, but we love the “mix.”
- The marinara sauce and 2 kinds of cheese not only make the meatloaf flavorful, but makes the meat nice and moist.
- You can use grated, shredded, or shaved Parmesan.
- For an added balsamic taste, drizzle the meatloaf with balsamic glaze for a smokier flavor.
What is the secret to juicy meatloaf?
Don’t skip the egg and cheese, along with the breadcrumbs, for a moist meatloaf.
How can I add more flavor to my meatloaf?
You can always add more salt and pepper, or try balsamic, Worcestershire sauce, or Dijon mustard, for a more savory taste.
Instead of parsley, top with your favorite chopped, fresh herb.
How do you serve meatloaf?
How to serve the meatloaf: Slice and serve.
Optional to cut the meatloaf into thick squares, add some of the sauce, a sprinkle of more Italian or Parmesan cheese (either one), and return to the oven for a few minutes until the cheese melts.
Recipes to try that you can serve with meatloaf:
Salt and Vinegar Chip Scalloped Potatoes
Turn an ordinary meatloaf dinner into something special! Slice and serve and enjoy!
Get the Recipe:
Meatloaf Parmesan
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 eggs
- ¼ cup breadcrumbs
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1-2 cloves garlic, finely minced or pressed
- 1 small onion, grated
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup marinara pasta sauce, we use Delallo brand
- ½ cup shredded Italian cheese blend
- 3-4 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped for garnish
Equipment
- 1 9x5 loaf pan
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a 9x5 loaf pan with cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, add the ground turkey, ground beef, eggs, breadcrumbs, and dried spices. Add the pressed or minced garlic, grated onion, salt and pepper. Add in the grated Parmesan cheese. Mix the meat with your hands (you can spray your hands with cooking spray), but do NOT over-mix. The secret to good meatloaf is to not over-mix it, but to keep air in the mixture.
- Place the meat in the loaf pan, pressing down, and form a slightly rounded top.
- Next, spread the marinara pasta sauce over the meat. Add the shredded cheese on top, with finely chopped fresh parsley.
- Place a cookie sheet under the loaf pan, in case it spills over. There will be lots of juices and drippings on the sheet around the meatloaf.
- Bake for 55 minutes. Check the meat. The best way to know when a meatloaf is done is by checking its internal temperature; as soon as it hits 155°F, you can pull it from the oven.
- How to serve the meatloaf: Slice and serve. Optional to cut the meatloaf into thick squares, add some of the sauce, a sprinkle of more Italian or Parmesan cheese (either one), and return to the oven for a few minutes until the cheese melts.
- Garnish and serve!
Hello and welcome to my home and table!
I’m Sandy—lover of food, family, cooking, THE BIG BOARD, travel, and bringing people together. Through great recipes and connection around the table, we become better, stronger, and more courageous people. Feasting on Life is real, and every time we do it, we grow a little more. Read more...
