Description
Sicilian Meatloaf combines the richness of ground beef, gooey mozzarella, and deli ham for a heartwarming comfort food experience.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil (Can substitute with any neutral oil.)
- 1 medium Red Bell Pepper (Can be replaced with green bell pepper or omitted.)
- 1 medium Red Onion (Yellow onion can be used as a substitute.)
- 2 cloves Garlic (Fresh garlic is best; garlic powder can be used in a pinch.)
- 1 pound Ground Beef (May substitute with ground turkey or chicken.)
- 1 cup Italian Style Breadcrumbs (Gluten-free breadcrumbs can be used as a substitute.)
- 1/2 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese (Nutritional yeast may be used for a dairy-free option.)
- 2 large Eggs (May substitute with flaxseed meal mixed with water for a vegan option.)
- 1 tablespoon Tomato Paste (Can use ketchup as a mix or omit if unavailable.)
- 1 teaspoon Salt (Adjust according to taste.)
- 1 teaspoon Black Pepper (Adjust according to taste.)
- 1/4 cup Fresh Parsley (Can be replaced with dried herbs if fresh is not available.)
- 6 slices Deli Ham (Can substitute with turkey or omit entirely.)
- 1/4 cup Fresh Basil Leaves (Spinach can be used as an alternative.)
- 1 cup Shredded Mozzarella Cheese (Use any melting cheese like provolone or cheddar.)
- 2 cups Marinara Sauce (Any favorite pasta sauce can be used.)
- 4 cups Pasta or Zucchini Noodles (Can be substituted with polenta or rice.)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a medium-sized skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped red onion and red bell pepper; sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until aromatic. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, sautéed vegetable mixture, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, eggs, tomato paste, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until well incorporated.
- Spread the meat mixture into an 8″x15″ rectangle on parchment paper. Pat down evenly for straight edges.
- Lay slices of deli ham across the center of the meat rectangle, followed by fresh basil leaves and shredded mozzarella. Leave a 1-inch border on all sides.
- Carefully roll the meatloaf using the parchment paper to guide it. Pinch the edges to seal and place seam-side down on a lined baking sheet.
- Transfer to the preheated oven and bake for about 1 hour, or until internal temperature reaches 160°F (70°C). Tent with foil halfway through baking.
- Allow the meatloaf to rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve over pasta or zucchini noodles with marinara sauce.
Notes
- Adjust seasoning according to your taste.
- Let the meatloaf rest before slicing for better presentation.
- Experiment with different cheeses as per your preference.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg