Bold Italian flavours are some of the world’s favorites, and this easy cheesy Italian meatloaf  is a very economical way to feed the family with the added bonus that any leftovers make a great sandwich filling the next day.

ALL the ingredients for this recipe are now available at your local Ritchies supermarket. Find your local VIC, NSW or QLD store.

cheesy Italian meatloaf

• 400g Ritchies pork mince
• 400g Ritchies hamburger mince
• 1 large red onion finely diced
• 2 tablespoons fine breadcrumbs
• 1 egg lightly beaten
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste or pizza sauce
• sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 3 garlic cloves crushed
• 1 400g can crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
• ½  cup grated Mozzarella

to decorate 

• a few flat parsley leaves (optional)

cheesy Italian meatloaf method

Preheat the oven to 170^oC.

In a large bowl mix together the pork and hamburger mince. Add the egg, tomato paste, bread crumbs, herbs, onion and 1 crushed clove of garlic. Season generously with salt and pepper. Mix vigorously until the mince mixture becomes slightly sticky.

In a deep loaf dish or tin about 14 x 22 x 8 pour in the can of crushed tomatoes. Stir in 1 clove crushed garlic, season with salt and pepper.

Lay a sheet of baking paper on a board. Transfer the herb and mince mixture into the middle and shape into a fat loaf shape that will fit into the dish. Use the baking paper to gently lay the shaped meat loaf into the dish on top of the flavoured crushed tomato. This saves the tomatoes from being squashed so be sure to remove the bake before cooking. Scatter the top of the meat loaf with a mixture of the Parmesan and mozzarella.

Bake in the preheated oven for about 1 hour until the loaf is golden brown and cooked through.

Serve hot with you favorite buttered pasta and salad.

Serves 4-6. Preparation time 10 minutes. Cooking time about 1 hour.