Garlic Parmesan Meatloaf (Print Version)
Tender meatloaf with roasted garlic and Parmesan, ready in just over an hour. A family-friendly twist on a beloved classic.
# What You Need:
→ Meat & Dairy
01 - 2 lbs ground beef (80/20 fat ratio recommended)
02 - 2 large eggs
03 - 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
04 - 1/2 cup whole milk
→ Vegetables & Aromatics
05 - 4 garlic cloves, minced
06 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
07 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped plus extra for garnish
→ Binders
08 - 1 cup breadcrumbs (regular or panko)
→ Seasonings
09 - 1 1/2 tsp salt
10 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
11 - 1 tsp dried Italian herbs
12 - 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
→ Topping
13 - 1/2 cup tomato sauce or ketchup
14 - 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease a loaf pan.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, eggs, Parmesan cheese, milk, garlic, onion, parsley, breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, Italian herbs, and red pepper flakes. Mix gently until just combined—do not overmix.
03 - Shape the mixture into a loaf on the prepared baking sheet or press into a loaf pan.
04 - Spread the tomato sauce or ketchup evenly over the top, then sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan cheese.
05 - Bake for 50–55 minutes, or until the center reaches 160°F.
06 - Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with extra parsley and serve.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The Parmesan creates this incredible savory crust that makes every bite feel special
- It comes together in fifteen minutes but tastes like something that simmered all day
- The leftovers somehow manage to taste even better the next day
02 -
- Overmixing makes the texture dense and rubbery so use a light hand when combining everything
- Letting it rest is actually the most important step because slicing it too soon lets all the juices run out onto the cutting board
03 -
- Use ground beef with some fat content because lean beef makes a sad dry meatloaf
- Grate your own Parmesan instead of buying the pre grated stuff in the tub