Baked Meatloaf

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

Ingredients

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

Preparation

1. Start 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 obtain a homogeneous mixture.
3. Prepare a work surface and sprinkle some flour. Turn the meat mixture onto the surface and shape it into the classic meatloaf form, that 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 desired, some potatoes cut into pieces as a side dish.
6. Bake at 180 °C for about 45-60 minutes. The time may vary depending on the size of the meatloaf; to ensure it is cooked, you can use a kitchen thermometer checking that the internal temperature reaches 70 °C.
7. Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing it, so the juices redistribute inside, making it juicier and more flavorful.

Trivia

The meatloaf can be enriched in various ways: by adding vegetables such as spinach or carrots to the mixture, or by creating a filling with cooked ham and stringy cheeses that will melt during cooking. Furthermore, it is possible to prepare a version in sauce, 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!