Find out how to make the best meatloaf with just a few ingredients, including cheese. Yes, this is a cheese-stuffed meatloaf that is tender, moist, and an incredible comfort dinner. Add some chopped onions, peppers and spices and you will love this amazing meatloaf.
This was my mom’s homemade meatloaf recipe and she always called it “the best,” and I stand by her 100%. To be honest, I’ve never eaten any other meatloaf other than this one.
This will make some people say, “so how can you say this is the best if you haven’t tried any others”? Yes, I know, you’re right. But to be honest I haven’t found one that makes my mouth water like this one! I think it’s because it’s a meatloaf stuffed with cheese and I love anything cheesy.
I remember coming home from school and being so happy to find and smell that amazing aroma wafting throughout the house from the kitchen. It was meatloaf night! It has always been one of the best and tastiest dinners ever, especially when my mother served it with roast potatoes.
When you eat something and it’s this good, you know there can’t be anything better! Especially when you add cheese.
Why You Should Try This Best Meatloaf Recipe
Maybe you already have a favorite recipe? I know many people love family recipes and meatloaf is one of them – there are so many ways to prepare it. But I think you should try this!
You only need a few simple ingredients to make it and it doesn’t take much time to mix it up and put it in the pan. We spend most of our time waiting for it to cook, so this isn’t one of those quick meals cooked in 30 minutes. But it’s very easy, and comes together in 10 minutes and just an hour to cook.
And if by chance you have leftovers (sometimes it’s difficult to leave some on the serving plate), put them in the refrigerator. The next day, slice it and make a sandwich with tasty freshly baked bread and you will surely agree that you just ate one of the best sandwiches ever!
And let’s not forget the cheese! It’s really what takes it from good to GREAT. It is stuffed with cheese and more on top. You’ll love this warm, cheesy freshly baked cheese-stuffed meatloaf.
Ingredients
- Lean ground meat
- Cracker crumbs: I use saltines
- Ketchup
- Beaten eggs
- Crushed green pepper
- Salt
- Crushed bay leaf
- Dried marjoram and thyme
- Grated cheese: choose your favorite! firm mozzarella, cheddar, Swiss, gouda, gruyere, fontina – any good melting cheese will work well.
How to do it
Place all the ingredients, except the cheese, in a large bowl and mix them well.
Divide the mixture in half and place half in a prepared baking dish. Lightly press it into an even layer.
Top with a little grated cheese, then cover with the other half of the meat mixture and press down lightly so it’s even.
Cook it, remove it from the oven and sprinkle it with the rest of the cheese. Put it back in the oven and cook until the cheese has melted.
What’s the secret to moist meatloaf?
The balance of wet ingredients is what makes it moist and delicious. For my recipe, the eggs and ketchup add a lot of moisture. Also, it’s important not to overcook the meatloaf. If you’re not sure if it’s cooked, you can use a meat thermometer to check the temperature. It should be between 160 and 165°F when you remove it from the oven.
What is the best filler for meatloaf?
There are many fillers such as dried breadcrumbs, day-old breadcrumbs and I have even seen rice, oatmeal and crushed chips used as fillers! Everyone probably has a favorite, but I think the best filler is cracker crumbs. They work so well in meatloaf.
Why is my meatloaf falling apart?
Forgot eggs or cracker crumbs? You need a binder to hold your meatloaf together and both do that.
can you use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef?
Yes, this recipe also works well with ground turkey or chicken.
recipe tips
- When pressing the mixture into the pan, do not press too hard. You don’t want to compress the meat too much so you end up with a juicy, tender, non-dense meatloaf.
- My mom always used ketchup and that’s what I use too, but try using barbecue sauce if you don’t like ketchup. It will give it a sweeter and spicier flavor.
- If you have leftovers, keep them wrapped in the refrigerator for three or four days. We love using them to make amazing sandwiches. Oh and don’t forget to put some ketchup on that bun, now that’s perfection!
- You can also freeze it. Cool it completely, then wrap it tightly and store it in the freezer for later.
- Or assemble it a few hours in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Then put it in the oven to cook. Just add a few minutes of cooking time as it will be cold when it goes in the oven.
Other recipes with minced meat
Whenever you’re craving an easy and tasty meatloaf, I hope you’ll give this best meatloaf a try and be sure to let me know what you think. Enjoy your meal!
- 1½ lbs lean ground meat
- 1 cup cracker crumbs
- 1 cup ketchup
- 2 big beaten eggs
- 2 spoons chopped green pepper
- 1¼ teaspoons salt
- 1 medium crushed bay leaf
- 1 dash marjoram and thyme
- 1 cup grated cheese (hard mozzarella, cheddar, Swiss, gouda of your choice)
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Preheat oven to 350F (180C). Lightly grease a 9-inch (22cm) baking dish or shallow pan.
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In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients well, except the cheese. Pour half of the meat mixture into a shallow, lightly greased baking dish, top with half of the grated cheese, then top with the other half of the meat mixture.
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Cook for about 1 hour. After 45-50 minutes of cooking, remove the meatloaf from the oven and cover it with the remaining grated cheese, then return to the oven to finish cooking. Leave to rest 5-10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
How to store the best meatloaf
Leftovers should be wrapped and stored in the refrigerator for three to four days. You can also freeze it. Cool it completely, then wrap it tightly and store it in the freezer for later.
Calories: 353kcal | Carbohydrates: 27G | Protein: 25G | Fat: 15G | Saturated fat: 5G | Cholesterol: 104mg | Sodium: 1055mg | Potassium: 449mg | Sugar: 9G | Vitamin A: 315UI | Vitamin C: 3.1mg | Soccer: 135mg | Iron: 3.7mg
Republished from February 26, 2015.
