Make the dinner table more inviting with a cheese stuffed meatloaf. It is loaded with pesto and cheese and topped with marinara, so it almost tastes like a meatball but better!

Plate with two slices of meatloaf with melted cheese and pesto inside, topped with marinara sauce and more melted mozzarella cheese.

If your family loves meat, cheese and Italian inspired food they are going to live this meatloaf. It is loaded with melty gooey cheese and tastes like a giant meatball.

One of the fun things about meatloaf is there are unlimited ways to make it. There are so many fun flavor combinations and mix ins you can add.

We love making a meal of it with mini sheet pan meatloaves. The sides cook right with the meat, so it is a great dinner option.

But I think one of our favorite meatloaf recipes of all time is stuffed chicken Parmesan meatloaf. MiMi introduced us to it quite a few years ago and it has been a hit ever since.

meatloaf ingredients in bowl ready to be mixed.

Layer of ground beef covered with pesto and cheese ready to be rolled into meatloaf.

A couple of years ago she made a ground beef version that reminded me of the best kind of meatball, just super sized. It was really good and I was anxious to share it with you.

I am not sure why it took me so long to get around to it, but it is better late than never. So I am finally sharing the recipe with you!

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Make a little spaghetti or other pasta as a side dish and add a salad or broccoli or something and the meal is ready. It makes a great family meal or can even be a special occasion menu item.

whole meatloaf topped with marinara sauce and melted cheese.

Slices of meatloaf topped with marinara and melted cheese and stuffed with more melted cheese on plate ready to eat.

Carlee’s Tips and Tricks

Feel free to assemble the meatloaf ahead of time and refrigerate it until you are ready to bake it. Just take it out of yhe fridge while you preheat the oven to take some of the chill off.

You can also make two meatloaves at once to save one for later. Meatloaf can be frozen raw or cooked for an easy meal later.

To cook a frozen raw meatloaf, put it in the refrigerator the night before to defrost then bake. To cook a frozen cooked meatloaf, defrost it overnight then cover with foil and gently reheat until the cheese is melty.

Slices of meatloaf stuffed with melted cheese and pesto topped with marinara sauce and more melted mozzarella.

Plate of cheese stuffed meatloaf slices with remaining meatloaf in background.

Your hands are the perfect tool for mixing the meat mixture. They get the flavors mixed in well without overworking the meat.

Patting the meat mixture on a layer of plastic wrap will help you to roll the mixture around the cheese center. It will help to keep it from cracking and falling apart as you go.

4.95 from 20 ratings

Cheese Stuffed Meatloaf

Author: Carlee

Servings: Servings

How do you make meatloaf even better? Stuff it with melted cheese and top it with marinara sauce, of course! It is kind of like eating a giant meatball, only better.

Prep: 15

Cook: 55

Total: 1 10

Ingredients

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F
Mix 2 pounds ground beef, 1 cup seasoned bread crumbs, 2 eggs, and ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese.
Place a piece of plastic wrap on the counter. Dump meatloaf mixture onto wrap and pat into a 9" x 13" rectangle.
Spread the 1 cup pesto over the meatloaf mixture. Leave an inch on the long side farthest from you and the two ends. Top with 2 cups of mozzarella.
Using the plastic wrap to help, roll the meatloaf into a log. Lightly press on the ends and along the seam to seal in the yummy goodness,
Place on parchment paper lined rimmed baking sheet, seam side down.
Bake for 45 minutes. Remove from oven and top with 2 cups marinara sauce and remaining cup of mozzarella. Bake until cheese is melty.