Name: Sicilian Meatloaf with Ham and Mozzarella
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 200 g ham (turkey ham for a lighter option); 200 g fresh mozzarella (can be replaced with lactose-free cheese); 10 leaves fresh basil (use dried basil if fresh is unavailable); 2 tbsp olive oil (for sautéing; any cooking oil alternative works); 1 red bell pepper (can be substituted with other bell peppers); 1 red onion (yellow onion is a good substitute); 2 cloves garlic (fresh, minced garlic provides intense flavor); 500 g ground beef (lean turkey mince for a lighter variant); 100 g Italian breadcrumbs (use gluten-free breadcrumbs for gluten-free options); 50 g Parmesan cheese (nutritional yeast as a dairy-free option); 1 egg (flaxseed egg is a vegan alternative); 2 tbsp tomato paste (ketchup or marinara sauce as a substitute); Salt and pepper to taste; 2 tbsp fresh parsley (dried parsley can be used in smaller amounts); 300 g marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought to complement the flavors perfectly)

Description

A hearty dish that brings the flavors of Sicily to your table with juicy ground beef and layers of melted mozzarella and savory ham.

Ingredients

Scale

200 g ham (turkey ham for a lighter option)
200 g fresh mozzarella (can be replaced with lactose-free cheese)
10 leaves fresh basil (use dried basil if fresh is unavailable)
2 tbsp olive oil (for sautéing; any cooking oil alternative works)
1 red bell pepper (can be substituted with other bell peppers)
1 red onion (yellow onion is a good substitute)
2 cloves garlic (fresh, minced garlic provides intense flavor)
500 g ground beef (lean turkey mince for a lighter variant)
100 g Italian breadcrumbs (use gluten-free breadcrumbs for gluten-free options)
50 g Parmesan cheese (nutritional yeast as a dairy-free option)
1 egg (flaxseed egg is a vegan alternative)
2 tbsp tomato paste (ketchup or marinara sauce as a substitute)
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tbsp fresh parsley (dried parsley can be used in smaller amounts)
300 g marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought to complement the flavors perfectly)

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 180 °C. Lightly grease your baking dish to prevent sticking.
Heat the olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and bell pepper and sauté for about 5 minutes until soft and lightly browned. Add the minced garlic and sauté together for another minute.
In a large bowl, mix the ground beef with the sautéed vegetable mix, ham, mozzarella, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, tomato paste, basil, parsley, salt, and pepper. Use your hands to knead the mixture well.
Shape the mixture into a loaf and place it in the prepared baking dish.
Pour the marinara sauce over the meatloaf to keep it moist and add extra flavor.
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake the meatloaf for about 45 minutes. Remove the foil and let it bake for another 15 minutes to become golden brown.

Notes

Prepare the meatloaf in advance and let it rest in the fridge. Allow flavors to meld by letting it sit overnight.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 350
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 400mg
Fat: 20g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Unsaturated Fat: 8g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 12g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 25g
Cholesterol: 70mg