Italian-Style Meatloaf – Cooking With Wine Blog

Meatloaf has never been so appealing (or delicious)! This Italian Style Meatloaf features a blend of ground veal, beef, and pork, reminiscent of your favorite Italian meatball recipes. With the inclusion of onions, peppers, garlic, and aromatic herbs, you will have a savory meatloaf topped with an incredibly tasty garlic tomato sauce! This dish is a hit with the whole family, and the kids will love it!

You might be thinking… ‘Ugh, meatloaf, those dreadful days in the school cafeteria!’ I understand. Traditional meatloaf never appealed to me either, but after trying Mark’s Italian Meatloaf with its unforgettable Garlic Tomato Sauce, I’ve become a huge fan and now request it regularly.

Jump to:

What makes this meatloaf Italian-Style?

While traditional meatloaf often consists of ground beef with some vegetables and is topped with a barbecue or odd ketchup-based sauce, this version has nothing bland about it. With all the Italian flavors you love, this meatloaf fills your home with an amazing aroma while it cooks. You could even use the garlic tomato sauce as a pasta sauce—it’s that good!

Ingredients – What goes in the meatloaf?

This Italian meatloaf recipe features simple, easy-to-find ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Ground veal, beef, and pork: This delightful mix includes equal parts of these three meats. The combination of beef, fattier pork, and lean veal elevates the overall flavor and balances the fat content.
• Onion:  A sweet yellow onion works best for this recipe.
• Red bell peppers:  Their sweet flavor perfectly complements this dish. Feel free to use orange or yellow bell peppers for similar results.
• Celery:  Adds great texture to the meat mixture.
• Parsley:  Fresh Italian flat-leaf parsley enhances the flavor profile.
• Bread Crumbs:  Use either panko or Italian breadcrumbs to help bind the meat.
• Eggs: These act as another binder for the mixture, ensuring neat slices when served.
• Salt and Pepper
• Cayenne Pepper:  Provides flavor without too much heat—this meatloaf is not spicy but feel free to omit if you’re concerned.
• Parmesan Cheese: Use freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano for an added touch.
• Fresh basil leaves:  Perfect for garnishing.

What about that Garlic Tomato Sauce?

This meatloaf is delicious on its own, but we highly recommend you don’t skip the sauce!

This sauce is remarkable! I love smothering my food in flavorful sauces, especially one as tasty as this. It’s a breeze to make, primarily using a food processor. Don’t hold back—make the entire batch; you’ll want it all for this Italian Style Meatloaf. Before serving, we slice the meatloaf, pour the sauce over it, and then present it.

• Whole Peeled Tomatoes: One 28-ounce can serves as the sauce base.
• Dried Oregano: Adds a classic Italian flavor to the sauce.
• Salt and Black Pepper
• Garlic Cloves: The sauce uses eight cloves of garlic (yes, EIGHT)! Always use fresh garlic for the best outcome.
• Olive Oil: Sauté the garlic in olive oil and then combine it with the tomatoes. Use good-quality olive oil for cooking.

Substitutions

If needed, here are some alternative suggestions for the ingredients:

• Ground meats: Feel free to mix and match your choice of ground meats; this combination is delightful but others will work too.
• Cayenne: You can eliminate the cayenne for non-spicy preference; it adds minimal heat. Alternatively, use crushed red pepper for a bit more kick.
• Dried Oregano: Fresh oregano can be used if desired.
• Red bell peppers: While we prefer red, yellow or orange bell peppers are suitable substitutions. Green bell peppers are another option for a different flavor profile. A mix of colored peppers works great too.

How to Make Italian Style Meatloaf

Making meatloaf is straightforward; you probably have most of the ingredients in your kitchen already.

Equipment: What is the best way to cook meatloaf?

Since this dish has a loaf shape, it’s best prepared in a loaf pan (check out our favorite loaf pans HERE). Lining the pan with parchment paper makes for easy removal before slicing and serving.

The oven is the ideal cooking method for this Italian-Style Meatloaf. During hot Texas summers, we often use our countertop toaster oven to minimize heat in the kitchen.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Step 1: Preheat Oven and Mix Meatloaf Ingredients

The meatloaf should cook at 350°F, so preheat your oven while combining the meatloaf ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Mix together the ground meats and other ingredients thoroughly.

Step 2: Transfer Meatloaf Mixture to a Loaf Pan

After mixing thoroughly, transfer the meat mixture into a greased 9×5 inch loaf pan (or lined with parchment for easy removal).

Step 3: Bake Meatloaf

Bake the meatloaf uncovered in your preheated oven for 1 hour. After 1 hour, take the meatloaf out and carefully pour off any excess juices. Return it to the oven and continue cooking for another 20-30 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 160°F, ensuring it’s fully cooked. Cooking time may vary, so it’s best to use a meat thermometer to confirm doneness.

Step 4: Make the Sauce

Add tomatoes, oregano, salt, and pepper into a blender and set aside. Next, sauté the garlic cloves in olive oil in a small frying pan over medium-high heat for one minute. Transfer the sautéed garlic and oil into the food processor with the tomato mixture and blend until smooth.

Then, pour the sauce into a large skillet and let it simmer on low for about 30 minutes while the meatloaf cooks. Once the sauce is at your preferred consistency, keep it warm on low or reheat as needed for serving.

Step 5: Finish the Meatloaf

Once the meatloaf is completely cooked, transfer it to a cutting board. Slice it, serve with the sauce on top, and garnish with fresh basil and grated Parmesan cheese.

Variations

• Make it spicy! Add crushed red pepper flakes to the meat mixture or sauce for some heat!
• Add fresh herbs. Incorporate fresh basil or oregano into the meat mixture when in season, and garnish the dish with fresh herbs for extra flavor.
• Make it cheesy! For cheese lovers, add fresh mozzarella or Parmesan on top of the meatloaf in the last 15 minutes of cooking, then top with sauce before serving!
• Switch up ground pork for Italian sausage. This substitution will give the dish an enhanced flavor.

Storage

How to store leftover meatloaf in the fridge: Store any leftovers in an airtight container, covered with sauce. Enjoy within 5 days.

How to freeze cooked meatloaf: You can freeze cooked meatloaf for up to 5-6 months in a freezer-safe bag or container, or by wrapping it in plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Allow the meatloaf to cool fully at room temperature before placing it in the freezer.

How to reheat leftover meatloaf: For refrigerated meatloaf, place it in an oven-safe dish, cover with aluminum foil, and reheat in a 350°F oven until heated through (approximately 20-30 minutes).

For frozen meatloaf, follow the same method straight from the freezer, though it will take longer to fully reheat.

You can microwave it if you prefer, just remember to reheat at 50% power. We recommend the oven method for a fresher taste.

What to make with Italian meatloaf?

This dish stands strong on its own, but to complement it, consider serving a big Italian salad dressed with homemade Fresh Basil Balsamic Vinaigrette, sautéed spinach, or another green vegetable like asparagus, broccolini, or green beans.

Our Parmesan Herb Asparagus with Prosciutto and Pine Nuts make a lovely side to pair with this meatloaf recipe—it’s one of our favorites for Italian meat dishes. We genuinely believe this is the best meatloaf recipe out there, and we are confident you’ll love it too!

What wines pair with Italian Style Meatloaf?

Similar to any Italian meatball dish, a nice dry red wine pairs perfectly with this Italian Style Meatloaf. We suggest enjoying it with Chianti, Barolo, or Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, or choose your favorite dry red wine, from Pinot Noir to Cabernet Sauvignon!

FAQ

If you try this recipe, we’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below! Or tag us on Instagram @cooking_with_wine.

Check out our Amazon Storefront for all our favorite kitchen essentials!

Are you looking for more delicious recipes like this? Try these:

Pairing

Here are some of our favorite cocktails to serve with this dish!

📖 Recipe

In the mood for more Italian dishes? Check out some of our most popular Italian-inspired recipes below: