Cheesy Italian Meatloaf

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds ground beef
• 1 cup mild Italian sausage (approx. 3 links, crumbled)
• 1 cup panko bread crumbs
• 2 large eggs lightly beaten
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• ⅓ cup milk
• 1½ Tablespoons Italian seasoning
• ⅓ cup yellow onion finely chopped
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 1½ cups grated mozzarella cheese, divided

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.

2. Place ground beef, Italian sausage, garlic, eggs, milk, Panko crumbs, onion, Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning into a large mixing bowl. With clean hands or a large spoon, thoroughly mix these ingredients together.

3. Divide meatloaf mixture into two equal-sized halves. Place one half on wax paper, and use your hands to shape it into a rectangle, about 9-10 inches long and 5 inches wide. Brush about 7 Tablespoons of marinara sauce over the top of meatloaf half, spreading over the surface. Sprinkle 1/2 cup of grated mozzarella evenly over the top.

4. Use remaining half of meatloaf mixture to cover top of the meatloaf. (I add small "clumps" of meatloaf mixture, then gradually spread it out to mirror the bottom half in size). Cheese should be fully covered with this top layer of meatloaf mix. You should have a bottom layer of meatloaf, a layer of sauce and cheese, and a top layer of meatloaf mixture. Spoon a few Tablespoons of the marinara sauce into a 11" x 7" OR 9" x 13" baking pan (to lightly cover bottom). Carefully lift meatloaf and transfer it (minus the wax paper) to baking dish. Brush the remaining marinara sauce over the top and sides of the meatloaf.

5. Cover dish with foil; bake in 375°F oven for 1 hour. Remove meatloaf from oven (discard aluminum foil); immediately cover top with remaining cup of grated mozzarella. Place meatloaf (uncovered) back into oven; cook 10 more minutes. When done, meatloaf should have an internal temperature of 165°F. The cheese will have melted, and be beautiful and bubbly! Let meatloaf "rest" for 2-3 minutes, then slice and serve! Enjoy!