Stuffed Italian Meatloaf is made with seasoned ground beef stuffed with hot ham, fresh spinach, and mozzarella cheese. It’s rolled up, baked until tender, then topped with marinara and melted mozzarella for an Italian twist on classic meatloaf.
This is one of those meatloaf recipes that feels a little extra special without being difficult to make. I love cutting into it and seeing all those delicious layers inside. It reminds me of a giant stuffed Italian meatball!
Why I Love Stuffed Italian Meatloaf
How to make Italian Meatloaf
1 – Mix: Combine the ground beef with the seasonings, breadcrumbs, eggs, and Parmesan.
2 – Shape: Press the meat mixture into a rectangle.
3 – Fill: Layer the ham, spinach, and mozzarella over the meat.
4 – Roll: Roll the meatloaf around the filling and seal the edges.
5 – Bake: Bake until cooked through, then top with marinara and mozzarella.
6 – Finish: Return to the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Tips I Found Helpful 💙
- Don’t overmix: Mix the meat just until everything is combined so the meatloaf stays tender.
- Leave a border: Keep the filling away from the edges to make rolling and sealing easier.
- Seal it well: Pinch the seam and ends closed so the cheese stays inside while baking.
- Use a thermometer: The center of the meatloaf should reach 160°F.
- Let it rest: Wait about 10 minutes before slicing so the meatloaf holds together better.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?
Yes. Ground turkey works, but the flavor and texture will be a little different. Cook it to an internal temperature of 165°F.
Can I make Stuffed Italian Meatloaf ahead of time?
Yes. Assemble the meatloaf, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake.
Can I leave out the spinach?
Yes. You can leave out the spinach without changing the rest of the recipe.
How do I store leftover Italian meatloaf?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
Can I freeze Stuffed Italian Meatloaf?
Yes. Wrap the cooked and cooled meatloaf tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
More Dinner Recipes I Love
Ultimate Italian Meatloaf recipe
This Ultimate Italian Meatloaf recipe takes my classic meatball recipe and elevates it to the next level by adding hot ham, spinach, and cheese that is then topped with tomato sauce and cheese.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 2 cups Romano Cheese
- 1 cup italian bread crumbs
- 3 cloves chopped garlic
- 2 eggs
- 10 slices mozzarella
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1/2 pound hot ham
- 1 cup marinara sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, garlic, eggs, Romano cheese, and breadcrumbs.
- Place the meat mixture on a piece of parchment paper and flatten it into a large square.
- Top with an even layer of hot ham.
- Add a layer of fresh, uncooked spinach.
- Top with slices of mozzarella cheese.
- Use the parchment paper to help roll the meatloaf into a log. Seal the seam and edges well.
- Place the meatloaf seam-side down in a large baking dish.
- Bake for 60 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and top with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese.
- Return to the oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the center of the meatloaf reaches 160°F.
- Remove from the oven and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
Cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of your meatloaf. Use a meat thermometer to make sure the center reaches 160°F before serving.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
10Serving Size:
1 sliceAmount Per Serving: Calories: 502Total Fat: 30gSaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 172mgSodium: 1007mgCarbohydrates: 12gFiber: 1gSugar: 3gProtein: 44g
First time to leave a comment on a recipe. Having an Italian Wine Tasting, we were looking for Italian recipes. We ended up making Minestroni soup and this Italian meatloaf roll. Was one of the biggest and best hits we have made. Every single person wanted this recipe. We did add more garlic, red pepper flakes to ham and some Italian seasoning. But think for “normal” folk, the recipe as given would be perfect….and was surprising easy to prepare, but do follow instructions. A big time 5 star rating..