Description
Parmesan meatloaf brings Italian-inspired comfort straight to dinner tables with juicy ground beef and rich cheese. Home cooks can enjoy this hearty classic that combines savory herbs, melted parmesan, and a perfectly seasoned meat mixture you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) lean ground beef (7% or less fat)
- 2 egg whites (or 1 whole egg)
Vegetables:
- 1 cup onion (finely chopped)
- 1 stalk celery (finely chopped)
- 1 carrot (peeled and finely chopped)
- 1 cup white mushrooms (finely chopped)
Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons ketchup (plus more for brushing on top)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves (not ground thyme)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder (or 1 teaspoon minced fresh garlic)
- ¼ cup quick cooking or old-fashioned oats (not instant)
- 2 teaspoons canola oil (for sautéing vegetables)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray or line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Heat canola oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté chopped mushrooms, diced onions, shredded carrots, and finely chopped celery for approximately 5 minutes until vegetables become tender and slightly translucent.
- Transfer the cooked vegetable mixture to a large mixing bowl and allow to cool for 5-7 minutes at room temperature.
- Add ground beef, rolled oats, egg whites, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper to the vegetable mixture. Gently mix ingredients using a fork or clean hands, being careful not to overwork the meat.
- Carefully shape the meat mixture into a uniform loaf, ensuring even distribution of ingredients and compact formation.
- Place the meatloaf in the prepared pan or on the baking sheet. Optional: Brush additional ketchup on top for extra flavor and caramelization.
- Bake for 60-75 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C) when measured with a meat thermometer.
- Remove from oven and let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes to allow juices to redistribute before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Kitchen Hack: Mixing ground beef with sautéed vegetables intensifies flavor depth and keeps meat incredibly moist.
- Prep Shortcut: Chopping vegetables uniformly ensures even cooking and balanced texture throughout the meatloaf.
- Healthy Twist: Incorporating oats provides extra fiber and helps bind ingredients without traditional breadcrumbs.
- Temperature Tip: Using a meat thermometer guarantees perfectly cooked meatloaf without drying out the protein.
- Serving Suggestion: Let meatloaf rest briefly after baking to help juices redistribute, creating more succulent slices.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 245 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 40mg