If you love Chicken Parmesan or any Italian Baked Ziti smothered in cheese, then you will love my meatloaf Italian Style!
It's truly a gourmet version and everyone loves this version.
This is served with a homemade marinara tomato sauce and not ketchup like the American version.
The meatloaf taste like a oversized meatball and perfect for leftovers the next day in sandwiches.
There are so many versions of meatloaf and this is our family favorite and the most asked for.
Scroll down to the recipe card to print off the instructions all the way to the bottom of the page.
Fun To Eat
The best meals are easy ones, and this is simple to make but taste gourmet, that's why I love making it.
The meatloaf goes great with any side dishes you prefer, but we love it with pasta the best with a simple Caprese salad.
Tools You Will Need
- loaf pan or deep casserole dish
- parchment paper or foil
- measuring spoon
- knife
- measuring cup
- bowl
- mixing spoon
If you are looking for an original try these fun meatloaf cupcakes.
Ingredients You Will Need
- marinara sauce
- fresh garlic cloves
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- peppers
- Slices of thick mozzarella or provolone
- Ground Round Beef or Chuck
- Italian style breadcrumbs
- chopped fresh basil
- chopped fresh parsley
- Salt pepper to taste
- large eggs
- canned tomato sauce or homemade marinara which we use
- Optional: sliced mushrooms or diced onions
Other Meats You Can Use:
- Ground Pork
- Ground Round
- Ground Turkey
- Ground Chicken
- Ground Venison
- A mixture of ground pork, veal and ground sirloin
Suggestions
- You can change it up with meat sauce or your favorite kinds of sauce we prefer marinara
- Try adding any kinds of vegetables around the meatloaf if you like roasted vegetables
- Pepperoni on top is a nice tasty addition to this meatloaf
- Serve the meatloaf with parsley and garlic boiled potatoes, pasta, or mashed potatoes
- Adding any kinds of sliced cheese you prefer, provolone, Havarti, mozzarella any good melting cheeses work well
- Make sure you season the meat more or less to your taste
- add as much Parmesan cheese to the meat as you like and omit salt
- use any meat sauce instead of marinara if you prefer
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Easy and Economical Meal
This Italian Parmesan meatloaf can feed a large family deliciously and economically.
The kids love it and don't be afraid to add as much sauce and melted cheese as you like.
If you're a meatloaf lover of course every one makes it just a little different. If you ever want to change to an Italian style do try our Parmesan Style Meatloaf loaded with Mozzarella and Provolone melted cheese it's a game changer and our family loves this!!

Italian Parmesan Style Meatloaf
Yield: 6
Prep time: 15 MinCook time: 1 HourTotal time: 1 H & 15 M
This Italian Parmesan meatloaf meal is smothered in delicious tomato sauce and melted provolone cheese, plus it's great in sandwiches!
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 4 teaspoons (about 6 cloves) chopped garlic
- 1 green pepper, seeded and diced in small pieces ( put some in the meatloaf and some on top for flavor)
- 1/2 cup chopped basil leaves
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley leaves
- 4 eggs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups grated Parmesan divided
- 1 1/2 cups breadcrumbs
- 3 pounds of ground beef
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 cups marinara sauce or more ( reserve around 4 tablespoons in the meat the rest on top)
- Optional: 4 thick slices of provolone cheese or mozzarella ( you can also combine these two kinds of cheese)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a medium saucepan heat 1/4 cup of olive oil and add the garlic.
- Saute for 1 minute and then add the peppers and saute for around 5 more minutes.
- In a small bowl add basil parsley, eggs then salt and pepper.
- Stir the cheese and breadcrumbs in a large bowl and mix them together then add the meat, herbs, eggs, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, and remaining 2 tablespoons of oil and around 4 tablespoons of marinara sauce.
- Make sure this is well combined then shape it into a loaf casserole pan that is greased or lined with foil or parchment paper.
- Top with marinara and sprinkle with remaining parmesan cheese on top and a few chopped peppers.
- I also like to add basil on top after it's cooked.
- Bake for at least 1 hour, we like it crispy on top.
- Top the meatloaf with more sauce and optional provolone cheese or mozzarella just until melted.
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More Recipes We Love
Italian Stuffed Meatloaf
15 One-Pan Meals
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Disclosure: This recipe was originally shared in 2011. It was edited and re-published in 2021.
Claudia, these look very delicious!
ReplyDeleteShe looks beautiful
ReplyDeletegotta love a good meatloaf and I do so like your Italian version, esp like the 'minis' for game day eating... made my momma's version last week and will be posting it next...
ReplyDeletedelicious meatballs
ReplyDeleteSwoon, these look so delicious! I would love these as a fun appetizer, and that melted cheese on top is just killing me :)
ReplyDeleteSo cute! and I'm betting delicious as well.
ReplyDeleteClassic comfort food!
ReplyDeleteI don't make meatloaf often, but a nicely done loaf is such a pleasure to eat! These are gorgeous - love the individual servings and mozzarella topping!
ReplyDeleteLove your version of the Italian meatloaf. So rich, yummy, and comforting!
ReplyDeleteLooks delicious.
ReplyDeleteWow, that is really cool, because on Sunday we made a meatloaf for the first time in years. Love the Italian style version.
ReplyDeleteWhat delicious little meatloafs! Love the cheese over top - nice touch!
ReplyDeleteYou're right - my kids would love these! What an original idea for Superbowl Sunday.
ReplyDeleteGreat looking meatloaves...love the cheesey topping on them. These will be a hit in the Little Kitchen for sure!
ReplyDeleteThis looks too good! I love it, will try this soon!
ReplyDeleteClaudia, what a fabulous idea!!! I've never thought of meatloaf as an appetizer, but since I love meatloaf, I'm all for it!!!
ReplyDeleteThese look so good. I was thinking of putting them on a bun for game day.
ReplyDeleteI really like the idea of making mini loaves! I often make my meat loaf in muffin cups and drizzle barbecue sauce over top afterward. The kids like it that way too! Meat cupcakes is what we call them :)
ReplyDeleteI must try these! An Italian version of meatloaf...YUM! Thank you, Claudia ... this is finger licking good!
ReplyDeleteOMG these look so yummy! They would be good as a sandwich too!
ReplyDeleteLooks so juicy, tender and tasty! We are having meatloaf today too :-))
ReplyDeleteOh Claudia, this looks incredible! I haven't had meatloaf in a while and this looks superb! Such a comforting meal for the winter months and the best part is the leftovers ^_^
ReplyDeleteThis was so delicious!! Loved the Italian parmesan flavors
ReplyDeleteThis is hands down my favorite meatloaf recipe. The combination of flavors is incredible! I love cheese on top - it seals in all the flavor!
ReplyDeleteThe best meatloaf I've seen this year, that's for sure. So yummy that my mouth waters as soon as I look at the images! :-)
ReplyDeleteSo delicious! One of our favorite comfort foods to eat! Love how flavorful the meatloaf is!
ReplyDeleteLove this, Claudia! Meatloaf is one of my faves and this sounds delicious, a must try!
ReplyDeleteThis looks so delicious and tasty! My family and I are going to love this recipe!
ReplyDeleteJust popped this in the oven.
ReplyDeleteLooks so good I did put slivers of potatoes and fresh zucchini around the meat
Will