Parmesan Meatloaf

There’s something about meatloaf that people of all ages love. It’s simple, hearty, and packs plenty of flavor with the right recipe. This unique, easy cheese-stuffed chicken and Parmesan meatloaf is sure to impress guests and family. Even if you have picky eaters, it’s extremely versatile, so you can remove items that cause textural discomfort, such as onions. 

Its filling is so delicious, with plenty of flavor to go around. It’s not only savory and filling, but it can be served with several side dishes, from potatoes to rice or noodles. This recipe is also kid-approved, meaning it’ll be challenging to keep and store leftovers.

But if you do have leftovers, storing and saving this best Parmesan meatloaf recipe ​​​​​​​is a breeze. All I can say is this dish is a winner all-around, and year-round! Whether you’re craving meatloaf on a cool fall evening or you want to serve this meatloaf at a summer barbecue, it’s sure to leave a lasting impression!

When you take one of your favorite meats and turn it into a meatloaf, it can be truly amazing! This simple Parmesan meatloaf meal has all the flavor of chicken Parmesan while remaining kid-friendly!

Of course, with this recipe, we use a combination of meats to give it even more flavor. This is the secret key to this recipe.

This quick Parmesan meatloaf recipe is a keeper and will surely work well in a weekly meal rotation.

Scroll to bottom for printable recipe card.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Its uniqueness has all the flavors of your favorite chicken Parmesan packed into a meatloaf!
• It is simple to put together if you’re familiar with how to make a traditional meatloaf.
• Most of all, it is kid-friendly! If your kids are picky, swapping ingredients is no hassle and still allows for a supremely flavored meatloaf. For a family friendly Parmesan meatloaf, you won’t want to pass this one up.
• It’s deliciously cheesy. And, who doesn’t love cheese!?

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

This recipe is customizable for the whole family. You can use the seasoning that works best for your household. You can use all chicken or add pork instead of beef. If marinara is not an option, use spaghetti sauce. They are almost identical.

Testing different ingredients when you’re searching for homemade Parmesan meatloaf ideas is a way to make this recipe your very own!

This recipe also allows for a healthy Parmesan meatloaf version by cooking with low-fat beef (such as 90/10), or by swapping the beef for all ground turkey to suit dietary needs and household preferences.

You can also use your favorite cheeses as toppings. So, don’t limit yourself to mozzarella and Parmesan.

Ingredients:

• Ground beef
• Ground turkey
• Italian seasoning
• Minced garlic
• Bread crumbs
• Eggs
• Onion
• Grated parmesan cheese
• Marinara sauce
• Shredded mozzarella
• Salt and pepper to taste

How to Make It

Step 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. While the oven is preheating, you can get to making this easy Parmesan meatloaf for beginners.

Step 2. In a mixing bowl, combine the meat, Italian seasoning, minced garlic, bread crumbs, eggs, onion, grated Parmesan cheese, and salt and pepper to taste. Knead with your hands until the mixture is well combined.

Adding the meat.

Adding the onion.

Adding the Italian seasoning.

Adding the minced garlic.

Adding the parmesan cheese.

Step 3. Form the meat mixture into a loaf using your hands, and put it into a standard loaf pan. Flatten the meat mixture until it is flat and in the shape of a traditional meatloaf.

Step 4. Top the meatloaf with the marinara sauce (or a sauce replacement you prefer), and bake for a total of 50 minutes.

Step 5. Remove the meatloaf, top with the remaining cheese, and bake for 10 minutes longer.

Step 6. Broil the top of your meatloaf if you prefer a browned coating of cheese. Set your broiler on high for 1-2 minutes.

Step 7. Remove from oven and allow the Parmesan meatloaf to cool for at least 10 minutes. Slice, and now ready to enjoy!

SAVE this recipe on Pinterest for later 🙂

Tips for Success

Use freshly shredded cheese whenever possible. Some prepackaged shredded versions do not melt as well as fresh blocks of your favorite type of cheese.

Broil your meatloaf uncovered in the final two minutes of cooking. This will allow the cheese to brown evenly across the loaf.

Storage & Reheating

How can I store this Parmesan meatloaf?

Once the meatloaf has cooled to room temperature, it can be covered tightly or placed into an airtight container. Store the Parmesan meatloaf in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Can I freeze this Parmesan meatloaf?

You can freeze the Parmesan meatloaf for up to 3 months. Be sure that the meatloaf has cooled completely before transferring it to an airtight and freezer-safe container.

What method is best for reheating this Parmesan chicken meatloaf?

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Transfer the Parmesan meatloaf to an oven-safe container and cover with foil. Heat for 10 to 15 minutes or until it is heated through.

Serving Suggestions

Because this meatloaf is extremely hearty and robust, light side dishes are recommended. Whether you’re in the mood for Greek orzo salad, cucumber and tomato salad, or even the best macaroni salad recipe, we’ve got you covered. I highly recommend sticking to lighter sides. However, if you have a household of ‘meat and potato’ eaters, try these homemade garlic mashed potatoes!

Notes

If you have picky eaters in the home, consider eliminating the onions from this recipe and swapping them for onion salt or powder. This recipe is the perfect comfort food for a fall or winter evening with its “stick to your ribs” flavor!