Sicilian Meatloaf with Ham, Basil, and Mozzarella Recipe
This Sicilian Meatloaf recipe is a flavorful twist on classic meatloaf, featuring a savory blend of ground beef, sautéed red peppers and onions, Italian-style breadcrumbs, parmesan, and fresh herbs. Rolled jelly-roll style with layers of deli ham, fresh basil, and mozzarella cheese, this meatloaf is baked to perfection and served with marinara sauce, making it a delicious and hearty meal perfect for any occasion.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Meatloaf Base
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
- 1 small red onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 lbs ground beef
- ¾ cup Italian style breadcrumbs
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 eggs
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Filling
- About ¼ lb deli ham
- 12–15 large fresh basil leaves
- 1 ¼ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
To Serve
- Marinara sauce
- Cooked pasta or zucchini noodles, if desired
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the meatloaf.
- Sauté vegetables: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and red bell pepper, sautéing for about 5 minutes until the onions become translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, then remove the skillet from heat and let cool slightly.
- Prepare meat mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, Italian-style breadcrumbs, grated parmesan cheese, eggs, tomato paste, salt, black pepper, chopped parsley, and the sautéed vegetable mixture. Mix thoroughly with your hands until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Shape the meatloaf: Lay a large sheet of parchment paper flat on the counter. Place the meat mixture in the center and pat it into an 8 by 15-inch rectangle.
- Add filling layers: On top of the meat rectangle, layer the deli ham evenly, then add the fresh basil leaves, followed by the shredded mozzarella cheese. Leave a 1-inch border around the edges free of fillings.
- Roll the meatloaf: Starting from the 8-inch end, carefully roll the meatloaf jelly-roll style using the parchment paper to help guide and support it. Press down on the seam and the ends to seal the roll tightly.
- Bake: Transfer the rolled meatloaf to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place it in the preheated oven and bake for 1 hour until cooked through.
- Rest: Remove the meatloaf from the oven, tent it loosely with aluminum foil, and let it rest for 10 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
- Serve: Slice the meatloaf and serve it over cooked pasta or zucchini noodles if desired. Top with warm marinara sauce for a complete meal.
Notes
- Allowing the sautéed vegetables to cool before mixing with the raw meat prevents partially cooking the eggs or meat prematurely.
- Resting the meatloaf after baking helps retain moisture and makes slicing easier.
- Using parchment paper makes rolling the meatloaf much simpler and prevents sticking.
- You can substitute deli ham with prosciutto or cooked bacon for different flavor profiles.
- For a lower-carb option, serve with zucchini noodles instead of pasta.
Keywords: Sicilian meatloaf, Italian meatloaf, baked meatloaf, rolled meatloaf, savory meatloaf recipe, meatloaf with ham and mozzarella, comfort food
