Meat Loaf with Cheese

A cheesy meat loaf of ground beef with cubes of cheese, bread crumbs, beaten eggs, tomato sauce and garlic, baked at 350°F for 1 hour.

Gluten-free with swapsVegetarian with swapsNo added sugarFreezer-friendly

Contains: milk, egg, wheat. Based on the ingredients as written; check package labels, which can change.

From the recipe book of Sandra Mills, a Le Cordon Bleu-trained cook in our family.

Sliced meat loaf with pockets of melted cheese and tomato sauce on a platter
  • Prep 15 min
  • Cook 1 hr
  • Total 1 hr 15 min

Updated

Jump to: Ingredients | Instructions | Tips | Print recipe

Cubes of cheese tucked through this meat loaf melt into little pockets as it bakes. Sandra Mills mixes ground beef with bread crumbs, beaten eggs, a small can of tomato sauce and a dash of garlic powder, shapes it and bakes it for an hour.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
  • 2/3 cup cheese cubes
  • 1 1/2 cups bread crumbs
  • 2 beaten eggs
  • 8 ounces of tomato sauce (a small can)
  • Dash of garlic powder

To make it gluten-free

  • For the bread or cracker crumbs, use gluten-free bread crumbs or panko.

See all our gluten-free recipes.

To make it vegetarian

  • For the ground meat, use a plant-based ground meat, or cooked lentils mixed with finely chopped mushrooms.

Meat substitutes change the flavor, texture and cooking time: cook plant-based meats to the package directions, and tofu and mushrooms only need to brown and heat through. See all our vegetarian recipes.

Instructions

  1. Mix. Mix all of the ingredients together.
  2. Shape and bake. Form a loaf and bake at 350°F for 1 hour.

Budget-friendlyGluten-free with swapsVegetarian with swapsNo added sugar

Tips

  • To freeze: cool it quickly, pack it in airtight containers or freezer bags, and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat to 165°F.
  • Ground beef should reach 160°F in the center.
  • Cheddar or mozzarella cubes both work.

Printable: safe cooking temperatures chart (PDF).

Serve it with

Build the whole dinner: sides, sauce and dessert ›

Pairs with: Zinfandel or Syrah, or an amber ale. Wine pairing guide

More beef and steak recipes

All beef and steak recipes | All recipes | Cooking guide and safe temperatures