Cheese Stuffed Meatloaf Recipe
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Your dinner table is missing this cheese stuffed meatloaf. Juicy, flavorful beef is stuffed with melty cheese and glazed with BBQ sauce, then baked to perfection. It’s a comforting dish that’s easy enough for cozy family meals, but special enough for your special celebrations. Switch up your routine and make your dinner extra special tonight with this amazingly delicious stuffed meatloaf!
Don’t you just love timeless American dishes? Our family favorite is meatloaf! We love a classic meatloaf, but I like to take advantage of its versatility to keep things exciting.
A few months ago, I was enjoying some crispy potato skins while preparing to cook meatloaf for dinner. I had some leftover cheddar cheese from making the cheesy potatoes and thought it would be fun if I used it on the meatloaf. It’s the best decision ever because cheddar-stuffed meatloaf is so, so good!
It brought out all the “oohs” and “ahhs” at dinner that night, and all the other times I brought it to a potluck, backyard BBQ, or dinner party. It’s a simple, no-fail dinner recipe that you definitely need to add to your rotation because once you get a taste, you won’t have meatloaf any other way.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy dinner recipe: Serve a hearty and delicious dinner that only takes an hour to make.
- Ultimate comfort food: Juicy, flavorful meatloaf meets a gooey, cheesy center. The BBQ or ketchup glaze completes the package. It’s the definition of comfort on a plate.
- Cheesy surprise: A fun, unexpected twist on traditional meatloaf, taking the classic dish that everyone loves to the next level.
- Customizable: The stuffing and glaze options are endless, letting you tailor it to your preferences.
- Make-ahead friendly: Prep the meatloaf in the loaf pan up to 1 day in advance, refrigerate, and bake it fresh the next day.
- Great leftovers: Leftovers reheat beautifully for meals the next day. Slice it up for delicious sandwiches!
How to Make Stuffed Meatloaf
Grace your dinner table with this delicious stuffed meatloaf with a fun twist. Prep for just 10 minutes, mixing the ingredients, shaping the meat, and adding the cheese center, then let your oven take over.
You’ll just need to brush the meatloaf with the glaze towards the end. Overall, it’s an easy recipe that’s easy to follow, even for beginners.
Scroll to the bottom of this post for a printable recipe card with a full list of ingredients, measurements, and step-by-step instructions.
Ingredients You Need
- Ground beef: I use ground beef with an 80/20 ratio for the right balance of flavor and juiciness.
- Panko breadcrumbs: Helps hold the meatloaf together while adding a light texture.
- Milk: Hydrates the breadcrumbs, keeping the meatloaf moist and tender. I use whole milk, but you can use any dairy, non-dairy, or dairy-free milk of your choice.
- Egg: Binds the meat mixture, ensuring the loaf stays intact during cooking.
- Onion: Enhances the overall flavor while contributing moisture.
- Parsley: Adds a bright flavor to balance the richness of the meat.
- Italian seasoning: For that delicious savory flavor.
- Salt and ground black pepper
- Cheddar cheese: Creates the melty, gooey center that makes this dish extra special.
- BBQ sauce: Creates the sweet and tangy glaze that’s delicious when caramelized. You can also use ketchup if preferred.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Ready to make your soon-to-be favorite dinner? Follow the 4 simple steps below and you can’t go wrong. I just have to warn you that you mouth may water while it bakes in the oven because your kitchen will smell so good!
Step 1: Prep the meat
Preheat the oven to 375 F. Line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper if preferred. It’s not necessary, but I like to because it makes it all the easier to pull up and serve.
Mix the meat, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, onion, parsley, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Use a wooden spoon or your hands until everything is evenly incorporated.
Step 2: Add the cheese
Place half the mixture in the loaf pan. Press it down firmly. Make a shallow well down the center from one length to the other. Arrange the cheese so it fills this space. Cover the cheese with the remaining portion of the meat. Press down around all sides to seal the edges and completely cover the cheese.
Step 3: Bake
Bake for 40 minutes. Remove the loaf from the oven and pour the BBQ sauce or ketchup over the top. Use the back of a spoon or a pastry brush to spread the sauce evenly.
Return to continue baking for another 10 to 15 minutes until the internal temperature reads 165F. Make sure to probe the meat, not the cheese.
Step 4: Serve
Rest for 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Substitutions
Don’t have all the ingredients on hand? No worries – try these easy ingredient substitutions:
- Ground beef: A mix of ground pork and lean beef will make your meatloaf richer and juicier. If you want a lighter or leaner option, try ground turkey or chicken.
- Panko breadcrumbs: Replace Panko breadcrumbs with regular breadcrumbs, crushed crackers, or oatmeal.
- Parsley: Substitute with cilantro or basil.
- Italian seasoning: If you don’t have Italian seasoning, substitute with a homemade blend of 1/2 teaspoon each of basil, oregano, thyme, and marjoram.
- Cheddar cheese: Use mozzarella cheese instead of cheddar, it melts just as well but doesn’t have the eye-catching orange color or as strong of a flavor. Pepper jack, havarti, or any melty cheese will work great, too.
- BBQ sauce: Marinara sauce, honey mustard, or a sriracha mayo are ideal substitutes.
Expert Tips
- Don’t overmix: Mix the ingredients just until combined, not packed like a brick. Overworking the meat mixture can result in a dense, tough meatloaf.
- Shape with care: Form the meatloaf into an even loaf shape, making sure the edges are smooth to prevent cracking during cooking.
- Seal that cheese: When stuffing the meatloaf, keep the cheese layer in the center and seal the edges tightly to avoid leaks as it bakes.
- Experiment with fillings: Cheddar is delicious, but to keep it varied, try different filling combinations like bacon and mozzarella, sautéed spinach and feta, or mushrooms and Swiss for unique variations.
- Don’t skip the rest time: Allow the meatloaf to rest for at least 10 minutes after baking. This helps the juices redistribute and makes slicing easier.
How to Store This Recipe
Store leftover meatloaf in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or in the freezer for up to 1 month. To reheat, transfer to a baking dish and warm in the oven at 350 F until heated through. Thaw frozen meatloaf in the fridge overnight before reheating.
What to Serve with Stuffed Meatloaf
Classic comfort food pairings with stuffed meatloaf include mashed potatoes, rice pilaf, roasted vegetables, mac and cheese, or a casserole. For a lighter option, enjoy slices of stuffed meatloaf with just pepper gravy, a light salad, or some dinner rolls.
More Dinner Recipes To Try
- Cheesy chicken and asparagus bake
- Pineapple teriyaki pork chops
- Popeyes blackened chicken tenders
- Ruth’s Chris stuffed chicken
- Herb-crusted Texas Roadhouse chicken
If you make this stuffed meatloaf, please leave a review. I really appreciate each and every 5-star rating and review comment!
Easy Stuffed Meatloaf Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef
- ¾ cup Panko breadcrumbs
- ⅓ cup milk
- 1 large egg whisked
- 1 small onion diced
- ¼ cup parsley chopped
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 6 ounces cheddar cheese shredded or cubed
- ¾ cup BBQ sauce or ketchup
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 F. Line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper.
- Mix the meat, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, onion, parsley, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Use a wooden spoon or your hands until everything is evenly incorporated.
- Place half the mixture in the loaf pan. Press it down firmly. Make a shallow well down the center from one length to the other. Arrange the cheese so it fills this space.
- Cover the cheese with the remaining portion of the meat. Press down around all sides to seal the edges and completely cover the cheese.
- Bake for 40 minutes. Remove the loaf from the oven and pour the BBQ sauce or ketchup over the top. Use the back of a spoon or a pastry brush to spread the sauce evenly. Return to continue baking for another 10-15 minutes until the internal temperature reads 165F. Make sure to probe the meat, not the cheese.
- Rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Video
Notes
- Mix the ingredients just until combined, not packed like a brick. Overworking the meat mixture can result in a dense, tough meatloaf.
- Form the meatloaf into an even loaf shape, making sure the edges are smooth to prevent cracking during cooking.
- When stuffing the meatloaf, keep the cheese layer in the center and seal the edges tightly to avoid leaks as it bakes.
- Cheddar is delicious, but to keep it varied, try different filling combinations like bacon and mozzarella, sautéed spinach and feta, or mushrooms and Swiss for unique variations.
- Allow the meatloaf to rest for at least 10 minutes after baking. This helps the juices redistribute and makes slicing easier.
