Festive Meat Loaf Pinwheel

Total Time:Prep: 20 min. Bake: 1-1/4 hours

By Taste Of Home Editorial Team

Recipe by Vera Sullivan, Amity, Oregon

Tested by Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Updated on Nov. 10, 2023

Dress up basic meat loaf for a special occasion dinner when company is visiting. This crowd-sized pinwheel features deli ham, Swiss cheese and a homemade tomato sauce. —Vera Sullivan, Amity, Oregon

TEST KITCHEN APPROVED

Festive Meat Loaf Pinwheel

Yield:20 servings
Prep:20 min
Cook:1 hour 15 min

Ingredients

  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 cup dry bread crumbs
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped green pepper
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 2 teaspoons minced fresh parsley
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 5 pounds lean ground beef (90% lean)
  • 3/4 pound thinly sliced deli ham
  • 3/4 pound thinly sliced Swiss cheese
  • tomato pepper sauce:
    • 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
    • 2 celery ribs, chopped
    • 1/2 cup chopped green pepper
    • 1 garlic clove, minced
    • 1 to 2 teaspoons olive oil
    • 2 cups chopped fresh tomatoes
    • 1 cup beef broth
    • 1 bay leaf
    • 1 teaspoon sugar
    • 1/4 teaspoon salt
    • 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
    • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
    • 2 tablespoons cold water
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Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, combine the first 11 ingredients. Crumble beef over mixture and mix lightly but thoroughly. On a piece of heavy-duty foil, pat beef mixture into a 17x15-in. rectangle. Cover with ham and cheese to within 1/2 in. of edges.
  2. Roll up tightly jelly-roll style, starting with a short side. Place seam side down in a roasting pan. Bake, uncovered, 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 hours or until a thermometer reads 160°.
  3. In a large saucepan, saute onion, celery, green pepper and garlic in oil until tender, 3-5 minutes. Add tomatoes, broth, bay leaf, sugar, salt and thyme. Simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes. Discard bay leaf.
  4. Combine cornstarch and water until smooth; stir into sauce. Bring to a boil; cook and stir until thickened, about 2 minutes. Drain meat loaf. Serve with sauce.