Guilt-Free Easy Italian Meatloaf

Eleanor Craig

This Guilt-Free Easy Italian Meatloaf recipe is the ultimate comfort food. You'll have plenty of leftovers to use when you double the recipe.

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 25

Total Time 40

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Servings people

Calories 500 kcal

Ingredients

TO MAKE THE MEATLOAF:

2 tablespoons milk
¼ cup breadcrumbs - without HFCS
1 pound ground beef (minced beef) - 80-85% lean
1 pinch salt
1 pinch ground black pepper
½ cup pecorino romano cheese - shredded
2 large egg
2-3 ounces pancetta - thinly sliced and chopped

TO MAKE THE MEATLOAF TOPPING:

1 can tomato - diced and drained
¼ cup ketchup (tomato sauce Australia and UK) - without HFCS
1 teaspoon Italian herbs (oregano, rosemary, thyme, and sometimes basil and parsley)
¼ cup Marinara sauce (tomatoes, garlic, herbs, and onions - pasta sauce in southern hemisphere for Italian seafood dish) - optional

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 425°F. Stir breadcrumbs and milk together in a large bowl. Add remaining ingredients and mix well.
Spray the bottom and sides of the pie plate or pan with non-stick cooking spray. Put the beef mixture into the plate or pan and spread evenly. Mix topping ingredients and spread evenly on top of the beef mixture. Bake for 20 – 25 minutes. Let the meatloaf rest 5 minutes prior to serving.

Notes

I like having a tomato sauce-type topping on my meatloaf. I have found that I am able to add an 8-ounce can of tomato sauce and 2 tablespoons of tomato paste to the sauce without any ill effects.
I usually use lactose-free milk for this meatloaf, but if I am out, I will use unsweetened almond milk. It does not alter the taste of the meatloaf, so it makes a great substitute. You could also use light whipping cream or regular milk.
Double this recipe, so you have plenty of leftovers for lunch the next day or dinner the next night.

Ways to use the leftovers:

Meatloaf sandwiches
Leftover meatloaf, green beans, and mashed potatoes
Spaghetti and meat sauce – Combine jarred marinara sauce and crumbled leftover meatloaf. Heat well. Serve with pasta.

Nutrition

Calories: 500kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 31gFat: 35gSaturated Fat: 14gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 197mgSodium: 636mgPotassium: 691mgFiber: 2gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 476IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 234mgIron: 5mg

How did this recipe turn out for you?