Garlic Parmesan Meatloaf (Printable)

Tender, savory beef loaf infused with roasted garlic and rich Parmesan. An easy twist on a classic comfort favorite.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meat & Dairy

01 - 2 lbs ground beef (80/20 recommended)
02 - 2 large eggs
03 - 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
04 - 1/2 cup whole milk

→ Vegetables & Aromatics

05 - 4 garlic cloves, minced
06 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
07 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

→ Binders

08 - 1 cup breadcrumbs (regular or panko)

→ Seasonings

09 - 1 1/2 tsp salt
10 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
11 - 1 tsp dried Italian herbs
12 - 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

→ Topping

13 - 1/2 cup tomato sauce or ketchup
14 - 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

# Directions:

01 - Preheat your oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease a loaf pan.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, eggs, Parmesan cheese, milk, garlic, onion, parsley, breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, Italian herbs, and red pepper flakes. Mix gently until just combined—do not overmix.
03 - Shape the mixture into a loaf on the prepared baking sheet or press into a loaf pan.
04 - Spread the tomato sauce or ketchup evenly over the top, then sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan cheese.
05 - Bake for 50–55 minutes, or until the center reaches 160°F.
06 - Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with extra parsley and serve.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The garlic and Parmesan combination transforms a basic weeknight dinner into something restaurant-worthy with almost zero extra effort
  • Leftovers, if they exist, make the most incredible sandwiches you'll ever eat
02 -
  • Mixing the meat mixture beyond just-combined creates a tough, rubbery texture that no amount of sauce can fix
  • Letting the loaf rest before slicing is the difference between juicy meatloaf and disappointing dry crumbles
03 -
  • Room temperature ingredients blend more evenly and prevent the meat from seizing up
  • Using a baking sheet instead of a loaf pan allows more surface area for that delicious Parmesan crust

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