Stuffed with melted cheese, spinach, and fresh herbs, this Sicilian Meatloaf is the kind of comfort food that steals the show. It’s hearty, richly flavored, and brings all the charm of classic Italian cooking to your table in the most satisfying way. Each slice reveals a swirl of savory filling and is smothered in marinara sauce for the ultimate finish.

This isn’t your average meatloaf—it’s packed with Italian sausage, beef, Parmesan, basil, and garlic for bold flavor. The gooey cheese center and fresh spinach make it feel a little fancy without a lot of fuss. Serve it with zucchini noodles, roasted veggies, or a buttery polenta and you’ve got dinner done right.

What Kind of Ground Meat Should I Use?

A blend of ground beef and Italian sausage gives this Sicilian meatloaf its depth of flavor. You want something with a little fat—ideally 80/20 ground beef—so the meat stays juicy. The sausage brings spices like fennel and paprika, balancing out the richness with that unmistakable Italian profile.

Ingredients for the Sicilian Meatloaf

Ground Beef: Choose 80/20 for ideal fat content and moisture.

Italian Sausage: Sweet or spicy depending on your taste—it builds flavor right into the loaf.

Breadcrumbs: Help bind everything together and give the loaf structure.

Parmesan Cheese: Adds a salty, nutty bite throughout the meat.

Eggs: Act as a binder and keep the texture tender.

Fresh Basil and Parsley: These herbs bring brightness and freshness to balance the richness.

Spinach: For a burst of color and a subtle earthy flavor inside the filling.

Mozzarella Cheese: Melts beautifully in the center and makes every bite extra satisfying.

Garlic and Onion: The base aromatics for deep savory flavor.

Marinara Sauce: Smothers the loaf and infuses it with rich tomato goodness.

Salt and Pepper: For seasoning throughout the mixture.

How To Make the Sicilian Meatloaf

Step 1: Prepare the Filling

Lightly sauté fresh spinach in olive oil until just wilted. Set it aside to cool. Shred or slice the mozzarella and keep it ready for assembly.

Step 2: Mix the Meat Mixture

In a large bowl, combine ground beef, Italian sausage, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, chopped onion, minced garlic, beaten eggs, basil, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix gently with your hands until everything is evenly incorporated, but don’t overmix.

Step 3: Form and Fill the Loaf

On a parchment-lined surface, press the meat mixture into a flat rectangle about 1/2 inch thick. Lay the spinach and mozzarella evenly across the middle, then carefully roll it up like a jelly roll, pinching the edges to seal.

Step 4: Bake Until Perfect

Transfer the rolled meatloaf to a baking dish seam-side down. Spoon some marinara sauce over the top and bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 45-55 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.

Step 5: Rest and Serve

Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve warm with extra marinara sauce and garnish with fresh basil and grated Parmesan.

How to Serve and Store Sicilian Meatloaf

Sicilian Meatloaf is incredibly versatile when it comes to serving. Slice it thick for a showstopping dinner centerpiece with zucchini noodles, garlic bread, or mashed potatoes. It also makes incredible meatloaf sandwiches the next day—especially on ciabatta or focaccia.

To store, let it cool completely and wrap tightly in foil or store in an airtight container. It will keep in the fridge for up to 4 days. For freezing, slice it and wrap individual portions to reheat later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prep the loaf and refrigerate it unbaked for up to 24 hours. Just bring it to room temperature before baking.

Can I use frozen spinach?

Yes—thaw and drain it well to remove excess moisture before adding it to the filling.

What kind of marinara sauce works best?

Use a homemade marinara or a good-quality jarred version with no added sugar for the richest flavor.

How do I keep the meatloaf from falling apart?

Make sure to include enough binders (breadcrumbs and eggs) and allow it to rest before slicing so it holds together.

Can I use a different cheese?

Absolutely—provolone, fontina, or smoked mozzarella all work beautifully in this recipe.

What sides go best with this?

Try it with roasted Brussels sprouts, creamy polenta, or a crisp Caesar salad.

Want More Comfort Food Ideas?

If you love this Sicilian Meatloaf, you’ll enjoy these hearty and delicious meals too:

Cheesy Baked Tortellini with Meat Sauce for that oven-baked pasta goodness.
Crispy Baked Chicken Tenders with Creamy Mustard Dip for a crispy, crowd-pleasing main.
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Tortellini with Sausage and Broccoli if you’re craving more creamy, sausage-packed comfort.
Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole for a baked pasta classic everyone will love.
One Pot Creamy Beef and Garlic Butter Pasta for a simple weeknight winner.

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dinner board so you can come back to it any time.

And let me know in the comments how your Sicilian Meatloaf turned out! Did you go spicy with the sausage? Try it with provolone instead of mozzarella? I’d love to hear how you make this dish your own.

For more daily comfort food recipes and dinner inspiration, check out my Pinterest: Life with Jam

Sicilian Meatloaf

Author: Jam Scott
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Yield: 6–8 servings

Print Recipe

Description

This Sicilian Meatloaf is a cozy twist on a classic—stuffed with mozzarella, fresh spinach, herbs, and smothered in marinara sauce. A blend of beef and Italian sausage gives it rich flavor while the cheesy center makes it truly special. Perfect for Sunday dinner or meal prepping for the week ahead.

Instructions

1. Lightly sauté fresh spinach in olive oil until just wilted. Let it cool.

2. In a large bowl, mix ground beef, Italian sausage, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, eggs, onion, garlic, basil, parsley, salt, and pepper. Combine gently without overmixing.

3. On parchment paper, flatten the meat mixture into a rectangle about 1/2 inch thick.

4. Add spinach and mozzarella in an even layer down the center.

5. Roll it up tightly like a jelly roll, sealing the edges to keep the filling inside.

6. Transfer to a baking dish, seam-side down.

7. Spoon 1/2 cup marinara over the top.

8. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 45–55 minutes or until internal temp reaches 160°F (71°C).

9. Let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

10. Serve with extra marinara and garnish with more Parmesan and basil.