Baked Meatloaf

Baked meatloaf is a classic of Italian cuisine, rich and flavorful. Here is the recipe with ingredients and procedure.

Ingredients

• 800g of ground meat (mixed beef and pork for more flavor)
• 100g of stale bread
• 150ml of milk
• 1 egg
• 50g of grated cheese (Parmesan or Pecorino)
• 2 tablespoons of chopped parsley
• 1 clove of garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Grated nutmeg (optional)
• Flour (for breading)
• Extra virgin olive oil

Preparation

1. Begin by soaking the stale bread in milk for a few minutes until it softens.
2. In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, egg, squeezed bread, grated cheese, parsley, garlic, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Mix all ingredients well until you have a homogeneous mixture.
3. Prepare a work surface and spread out a bit of flour. Turn the meat mixture onto the surface and shape it into the classic meatloaf form, which is an elongated cylinder.
4. Heat a drizzle of oil in a pan and brown the meatloaf on all sides until it becomes golden. This step seals the juices inside the meatloaf and adds flavor.
5. Transfer the meatloaf to a baking dish, add a drizzle of oil on top and, if you want, some potatoes cut into pieces as a side dish.
6. Bake at 180°C (350°F) for about 45-60 minutes. The duration may vary depending on the size of the meatloaf; to be sure that it is cooked, you can use a meat thermometer to check that the interior reaches 70°C (160°F).
7. Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before cutting it, so the juices redistribute inside, making it juicier and more flavorful.

Curiosity

The meatloaf can be enriched in various ways: by adding vegetables such as spinach or carrots into the mixture, or by creating a filling with cooked ham and melting cheeses that will melt during cooking. Moreover, it is possible to prepare a sauce version by cooking the meatloaf in a tomato sauce to make it even more succulent.

Remember that you can always customize the recipe according to your tastes or dietary needs. Enjoy your meal!