Italian meatloaf is one of the highlights of Italian cuisine. So popular is its appeal that it is considered as the most popular and common Italian dish cooked outside of Italy. The history of this dish goes all the way back to the Roman Empire. Such rich and diverse is its history. Over the centuries, the recipe has remained the same and has gotten its own renditions in different parts of the world.
Whatever those different versions may be, nothing ever beats the original. The original recipe has stood the test of time and remains as popular today as it was back then.
Health benefits:
Meatloaf is a great source of energy. It can provide nearly 200 calories in just a 4-ounce serving. It contains very little cholesterol and is rich in healthy fats. This can prove helpful in preventing any cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, all homemade meatloaves have reduced sodium content.
Ingredients
extra virgin olive oil: 2 tablespoons
Chopped garlic: 4 teaspoons (about 6 cloves)
medium onions, diced: 2
red peppers, seeded, small diced: 2
chopped basil leaves: 1/2 cup
chopped parsley leaves: 2 tbsp
Eggs: 4
salt: 1 tsp
black pepper: 1/2 tsp
grated parmesan: 2 cups
breadcrumbs: 1 1/2 cups
Ground Beef: 3 pounds
Worcestershire sauce: 2 tbsp
balsamic vinegar: 2 tbsp
Marinara sauce: 1 cup
How To Make Italian meatloaf
- Start by pre-heating the oven up to 400 degrees.
- Put in nearly ¼ of the olive oil in the pan and add garlic. Sauté for up to 1 minute. Once you feel the oil has reached the appropriate temperature, add peppers and onion.
- Keep stirring and once they’re well-mixed, let them cool off.
- Mix basil, parsley and eggs together in a small bowl and add salt and black pepper into the mixture.
- Combine the Parmesan and breadcrumbs in a separate bowl.
- Combine this meat with herbs, eggs, Parmesan, breadcrumbs and vinegar. Once you’ve mixed them well, add olive oil as well.
- Use your hands to mix and ensure that you do not over mix.
- Form a meat mixture in an oil pan. You can also use a baking dish.
- Top it all off with a marinara sauce and spread it evenly.
- Bake this for nearly 50-60 minutes until you reach the temperature of 160 degrees.
Remove from the oven and let it rest for about 10-15 minutes.