Pizza Meat Loaf

Pizza and meat loaf are two dinnertime staples that will never go out of style. So it was only a matter of time before someone combined the two into one satisfying meal. Pizza meat loaf features favorite Italian flavors in a crust-free loaf that the whole family will love.

This meat loaf recipe is anything but boring. Recipe contributor Jim Hopkins of Whittier, California, coaxes maximal flavor from minimal ingredients, using a blend of ground beef and Italian sausage, traditional meat loaf binders like eggs and bread crumbs, and plenty of mozzarella cheese. The clincher is the use of a pantry staple king: store-bought pizza sauce. It’s great fresh from the oven, but you can bake the meat loaf ahead of time and reheat slices for a quick meal on busy nights. And if you love day-after cold meat loaf sandwiches, this rendition takes them to a whole new level.

Ingredients for Pizza Meat Loaf

• Ground beef and Italian sausage: Because we blend ground beef and sausage, use a leaner ground beef blend to cut back on the amount of grease that’s produced while it bakes. Bulk Italian sausage is ideal here, but if you can only find links, remove the casings before mixing it with the beef. You can use mild or hot Italian sausage.
• Pizza sauce: Use any of the best pizza sauce brands from the store, or add homemade pizza sauce for more control over the flavor of your meat loaf.
• Mozzarella cheese: For the best melty texture, shred the mozzarella cheese yourself with a box grater or handheld grater.
• Eggs: Use large eggs in the recipe; they help bind the meat loaf ingredients together.
• Bread crumbs: Seasoned bread crumbs add extra flavor and lighten the texture of the pizza meat loaf recipe.
• Seasonings: Garlic salt and ground black pepper add extra punch and depth to the meat loaf.

Directions

Step 1: Mix the ingredients

In a large bowl, beat the eggs. Add 3/4 cup of pizza sauce, the cheese, bread crumbs, garlic salt and pepper, and mix well. In another bowl, combine the beef and sausage. Add them to the egg mixture and mix well.

Editor’s Tip: Overmixing the ingredients can result in a tough meat loaf. Mix them just until they’re evenly combined.

Step 2: Shape and bake the meatloaf

Press the meat loaf mixture into a 9×5-inch loaf pan. Bake it at 350°F for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Drain off the excess moisture. Spoon the remaining pizza sauce over the meat loaf and bake it for 15 minutes longer or until no pink remains.

Editor’s Tip: Check the center of the meat loaf with a digital thermometer; the temperature should read 165° when it’s finished.

Step 3: Let it rest

Remove the meat loaf from the oven and let it stand for 10 minutes. Slice and serve it.

Editor’s Tip: Letting it rest before slicing creates a more cohesive meat loaf. If you cut it when it’s too hot, it might crumble.

Pizza Meat Loaf Variations

• Make a meat lovers version: Replace some of the ground beef with other favorite pizza meats, such as chopped pepperoni, diced ham, and chopped, cooked bacon.
• Add peppers and onions: Fold in 1 cup of cooked bell peppers, mushrooms or zucchini to the meat loaf mixture.
• Use a blend of cheeses: Try replacing some of the shredded mozzarella with a blend of shredded Italian cheeses, or with shredded cheddar or Gouda.
• Make it with extra cheese: Once the meat loaf is done baking, sprinkle more shredded cheese over the top and return it to the oven for five minutes or until the cheese has melted. You could also lay slices of the meat loaf on a foil-lined baking sheet, and top each slice with shredded cheese. Broil the slices until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
• Make mini pizza meat loaves: Divide the meat loaf mixture between muffin cups and top each mini loaf with pizza sauce. Bake them for about 20 minutes or until they’re cooked through.

How to Store Pizza Meat Loaf

Leftover meat loaf is one of the tastiest leftovers there is! Once the loaf has cooled to room temperature, transfer it to a tightly covered food storage container. Store the leftover meat loaf in the refrigerator for up to four days.

Can you freeze pizza meat loaf?

Yes, meat loaf freezes well. Freeze an entire loaf or individual slices in a freezer-proof container, or wrap it well in a few layers of food wrap. Store it in the freezer for up to three months.

How should you reheat pizza meat loaf?

The fastest way to reheat meat loaf is in the microwave. Slice the meat loaf, then place a slice on a microwave-safe plate and loosely cover it with a paper towel. Microwave it in 45-second bursts, rotating it each time, until it’s heated through. You can also reheat meat loaf in the oven. Cover it with foil in a baking dish and reheat it at 350° until it’s heated through.

Pizza Meat Loaf Tips

Do you need a loaf pan to make meat loaf?

Nope! It’s easy to make pizza meat loaf on a baking sheet instead of in a loaf pan. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil. Place the meat mixture in the center of the pan and shape it into a loaf. Top it with the pizza sauce and bake it as directed. Another option is to set a wire rack into a baking sheet and bake the shaped meat loaf on the rack. This allows the grease to drain away from the meat.

What can you serve with pizza meat loaf?

Since there’s no pizza crust on this pizza meat loaf, it’s a great idea to serve slices with bready sides. Try some air-fryer garlic bread or pieces of homemade Italian cheese bread. Pizza meat loaf is also quite tasty with a side of herbed steak fries or air-fryer French fries.