Parmesan Meatloaf Recipe
Ingredients:
1 ½ pounds ground beef (you can mix with ground pork for a juicier result)
1 cup breadcrumbs (preferably Italian-style)
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup milk
2 large eggs
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 tablespoon dried parsley)
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a little kick)
1 tablespoon olive oil (for sautéing)
1 cup marinara sauce (or use homemade tomato sauce)
2 tablespoons extra Parmesan cheese (for topping)
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Sauté the onion and garlic: In a small skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, and sauté for about 5 minutes until softened and fragrant. Set aside to cool slightly.
Prepare the meatloaf mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, eggs, parsley, oregano, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes (if using), milk, and the sautéed onions and garlic. Mix everything together until just combined—be careful not to overmix, as this can make the meatloaf tough.
