Italian Meat Loaf

Tonight it is cloudy, raining and otherwise just miserable weather. This is one of those nights that you just want some good comfort food and to curl up on the couch with a blanket and a good movie. So that is exactly what I did. I made an Italian meatloaf filled with cheese and herbs and topped with marinara sauce. This I paired with a green salad and yummy garlic cheesy herb bread. There is nothing better on a nasty night such as this one to eat this yummy comfort food. 

Meat Loaf

3/4 cup bread crumbs

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (fresh Parmesan works best to be able to work it into the meat mixture)

1 Tbsp Herbs de Provence (this is a mixture of dried Italian herbs and easy to find in any grocery store. It is definitely one of my pantry staples)

1 medium onion, diced

2 Tbsp fresh Italian parsley, chopped

2 garlic cloves, chopped

1 tsp Salt

1 tsp Pepper

2 eggs

1 pound ground beef

1 cup of your favorite marinara sauce. (I like Bertolli)

Olive Oil

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a medium skillet saute the onion and garlic in the skillet with some olive oil until the onions are softened. 

In a bowl mix together the bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, herbs, parsley, salt and pepper. Add the cooked onions and garlic to the mixture along with the eggs and mix well together. With your hands (Yes, I know you may not want to touch the meat but it really is the best way to mix the meat without overworking it) mix the meat and ingredients together. Mix just enough to get everything together but don't overwork the meat as it will make it tough.

Grease a loaf pan and place the meat mixture into the pan, pressing down with your fingers to ensure that all of the air bubbles are released. Top this with the marinara sauce, making sure that this is spread evenly. To help create a crust grate some more Parmesan cheese on top of this.

Bake in the oven for about 45 minutes or until a knife stuck in the middle of the meatloaf comes out clean. Remove from the oven and let sit for about 5 minutes. Slice, serve and enjoy!

Garlic Cheesy Herb bread

1 loaf of ciabatta bread

1 stick of butter, softened

3 cloves of garlic, peeled and minced

1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese

3 Tbsp of dried herbs

2 scallions, finely chopped

Preheat oven to 450 degrees

In a bowl combine the softened butter, garlic, cheese, scallions and herbs. Mix until all of the ingredients are combined. Cut the bread in half lengthwise and then spread the butter mixture onto the two halves of the bread. Place onto a cooking sheet and then bake until it is lightly toasted. Probably about 5-7 minutes.

Pull out of the oven and let sit for a moment and then slice it up and enjoy! It really is a wonderful treat :)

Buon Appetito!