Italian Meatloaf
This recipe came from an old Food and Family Magazine by Kraft Recipes. I was looking for a recipe that would be easy and fast but with a kick. This one doesn’t disappoint!
Meatloaf is an easy meal the entire family can enjoy. It’s an American comfort classic most grew up on. But have you ever wondered where meatloaf originated and how it became so popular?
After becoming popular in Rome, it spread to other European countries. Versions from Germany and Scandanavia are closest to the meatloaf we know today. In Sweden, it’s served with mashed potatoes or boiled potatoes. Germans stuff their version with hard-boiled eggs.
As people emigrated from Europe to America, they brought their homeland recipes with them and it influenced cooking. The Pennsylvania Dutch settlers of the 18th century made scrapple as a way to use every bit of a slaughtered pig. Leftover bits of pork were combined with organs from the pig and simmered. Cornmeal was added to the meat and formed into a loaf. Once set, the loaf was sliced and fried. A predecessor to what we now know as meatloaf.
This became extremely important as the Great Depression set in. People were forced to stretch what they had in their kitchen. They did not have access to high-quality meat or had a limited supply of meat. Using a grinder meant that a tough cut of meat could be ground into something much more tender and usable.
This was the beginning of meatloaf being American comfort food.
Since the Depression, meatloaf has continued to evolve. The ingredients have remained the same – ground meat, a filler of some sort (like bread crumbs, Panko, or oatmeal), an egg, and seasonings.
History by Kraft.
This is the recipe I use.
These are the INGREDIENTS you will need:
- 1 cup dry bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 lb. ground beef
- 1 can 8 oz. tomato sauce, divided
- 3/4 cup finely chopped celery
- 1 env. 0.7 oz. GOOD SEASONS Italian Dressing Mix
- 1 egg beaten
- 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
These are the INSTRUCTIONS for preparation:
- Heat oven to 350°F.
- Mix bread crumbs and milk in large bowl. Add meat, half the tomato sauce and remaining ingredients; mix just until blended.
- Shape meat mixture into oval loaf in shallow pan sprayed with cooking spray.
- Bake 1 hour. Spoon remaining tomato sauce over meatloaf; bake 20 min. or until meatloaf is done (160ºF).
You can substitute veal or turkey for the ground beef to make it healthier. This time of year that is a big PLUS in my home.
I use a little trick to blending that ground beef without a mess. Using plastic gloves (or baggies) over my hands I don’t need to touch the meat as I blend and form it.
That is a big win win for me! I also use a loaf pan that has a raised strainer to allow any juices to sit in the pan below the meat.
If you’re one of those people that loves a good meatloaf, this recipe is for you!
And if you’re one of those people that finds their self with a dry loaf that’s hard as a rock, this one will surely make your kids turn and ask you for more. I hope you enjoy!
Italian Meatloaf
Ingredients
- 1 cup dry bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 lb. ground beef
- 1 can 8 oz. tomato sauce, divided
- 3/4 cup finely chopped celery
- 1 env. 0.7 oz. GOOD SEASONS Italian Dressing Mix
- 1 egg beaten
- 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350°F.
- Mix bread crumbs and milk in large bowl. Add meat, half the tomato sauce and remaining ingredients; mix just until blended.
- Shape meat mixture into oval loaf in shallow pan sprayed with cooking spray.
- Bake 1 hour. Spoon remaining tomato sauce over meatloaf; bake 20 min. or until meatloaf is done (160ºF).
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition Information is estimated based on the ingredients and cooking instructions as described in each recipe and is intended to be used for informational purposes only. Please note that nutrition details may vary based on methods of preparation, origin and freshness of ingredients used.
Conversion Information We get a lot of requests to help with conversions especially between various countries like Canada, the U.K. and Australia. These tables should help you make those conversions. For your convenience we have included a Conversion Chart.
Disclaimer Unless indicated recipes influenced by cookbooks, magazines or family traditions.
I am Marilyn Lesniak. Writer, Photographer and Chief Bottle Washer behind the scenes at Marilyn's Treats. Don’t burn down the kitchen!! Let me help with my Kitchen Tips, Hacks and Recipes for all levels of Chefs.
Great recipe and definitely a comfort food. TFS.
Thank you Clearissa! The meatloaf was indeed delicious. My slideshow however made it look like a massacred chocolate cake! LOL. I hope you had a wonderful Easter. Enjoy your week.
I am going to have to try this, Marilyn, as I am not the best “meatloaf maker” but we do like meatloaf. Thanks for sharing at Funtastic Friday!
This one is so fast and easy. You will love it! Have a wonderful week.
Your Italian Meatloaf looks fabulous, you have inspired me to make meatloaf very soon. Hope you are having a great week and thanks so much for sharing your awesome post with us at Full Plate Thursday. We look forward to seeing you again real soon!
Miz Helen
I know I don’t make meatloaf often enough. This one is so easy! Thanks Mia Helen. Have a wonderful week!
I used to love getting that magazine! It was just so much fun to flip through and yank out ideas from! Thanks for sharing it with us at #FridayFrivolity this week!
I did too! I think they still make it. I am sure my daughter-in-law gets it. I still have all my old copies! They were just as good as a cookbook! #FridayFrivolity
This sounds great Marilyn! Thanks for sharing at Sunday Fitness & Food 🙂
Thank you Angela. Have a great week!
I love meatloaf and this one sounds spicy and delicious! Thanks so much for sharing your recipe at Together on Tuesdays 🙂
You are welcome Lisa! I am glad we have crossed paths again. Have a great week!
We really like meatloaf, and I like that you poured the tomato sauce over it at the end, that must make it really nice and juicy! Thanks for sharing at Sweet Inspiration Marilyn! Have a great one!
The tomato sauce really adds a bit of flavor as well as making it moist. Leftovers make great sandwiches too because of it! Enjoy your week!
Italian Meatloaf! I do love Italian and this sounds great. I will be trying it soon. Thank you for sharing at Funtastic Friday. I look forward to trying more of your recipes soon.
Thank you so much Amy! I hope you like this one as much as I do. If you try another recipe be sure to let me know! Have a great week.
I just love a great meatloaf. It’s such a comfort food. Thanks for sharing at the Family Joy Blog Link Party this week!
You are welcome Melissa. I love Family Joy Blog Linkup! Have a great week!
YUMMY! I love a good meatloaf! 🙂
I would love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, tips, and tricks: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
Me too! Have a great week!
Maryland, we love a great meatloaf. Although I do use Italian herb seasoning in my Meatloaf I also use onion soup mix, parmesan and Worcestershire. Your recipe sounds different and delicious. I usually don’t use a ketchup or tomato sauce topping, and my family has been missing it. I’m definitely going to try your recipe the next time I make it. Thanks.
Worcestershire sounds like a great addition! I am deffintiely going to give that a go! Thanks Nikki!
This is the ultimate comfort food!
I love this with homemade mashed potatoes! Glad you like it Sandra. Have a great week!
This looks delicious! I love meat because it is so easy to make. It can be whipped up in no time. This reminds me that I haven’t had meat Loaf in a while, I will have to add this to my list for next week’s lunches. Thanks for sharing!
I hope you get the chance Linda. This is one of my favorite comfort foods. Have a great week!
Sounds delicious, and perfect for a cold winter evening! Sometimes just coming across these recipes inspires me to try something new! Thanks for sharing at
Celebrate Your Story!
I love meatloaf since it is a comfort food, inexpensive and one pan! Thx Chloe!
you just gave me an idea for my dinner tonight =) Yummy recipe! #TurnItUpTuesday
I hope you make something comfort-y! Thanks Selena.
I love Italian Meatloaf! That’s a good tip about using gloves to mix the meat together. I usually remove my rings before mixing and I’m always afraid of misplacing them so that would help. Where did you get your loaf pan with a strainer. I need to get one of those.
Thanks Leslie. I hate getting the meat under my nails and I am the same way about my rings. I got the pan from Kroger, one of those superstore ones? I have seen them at walmart and target too. And there is always Amazon. This is a Wilton but you can get it cheaper, https://www.amazon.com/Wilton-Perfect-Results-Piece-Meatloaf/dp/B004VM1DVI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1484096470&sr=8-2&keywords=loaf+pans+for+meatloaf
We just made a very similar recipe for meatloaf this weekend and my husband said it was the best meatloaf he has ever had. We typically have a lot of meatloaf left since my husband is really the only one that likes it so last night I crumbled up the leftover meatloaf and used it to make a Sheppard’s pie.
I love Shepherds Pie! That sounds wonderful. We make sanswiches with the leftovers. Have a great week!