Mama Mia Meatloaf

I thought I already had the best meatloaf recipe, and I consider meatloaf a personal preference. Something you only eat at home, because nobody else makes it like 'mom' does, or at least your favorite version. It does seem like we each have a different idea of what meatloaf should be, so I never order it at a restaurant and seldom like it when other people prepare it! But, on a whim, I tried another recipe (which I tweaked), and this is a nice alternative, not that I'm giving up the 'tried and true' version (Meaty Monday blog of November 21, 2011).
Meat loaf has been around for centuries and was a way to make a small amount of meat serve many people, use food ingredients on hand, and make tough meat palatable. Thank goodness we now have more appetizing reasons to serve meatloaf and can use nutritious and tasty ground beef instead of the odd and less desirable cuts of earlier meatloaf.
This recipe has an Italian flavor and makes a nice change from spaghetti with meatballs. I served it with squash cakes (the abundant plants of last summer left some seeds in the garden!) and pasta salad.

Mama Mia Meatloaf

1 egg, beaten

1 cup marinara sauce

½ cup Italian seasoned croutons (crush to make crumbs)

½ cup finely chopped green peppers

¼ cup finely chopped onion

2 tsp. Italian seasoning

1 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. pepper

2 pounds ground beef

½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese

2 tbs. grated Parmesan cheese

In a bowl, combine the egg, ½ cup marinara sauce, crouton crumbs, onion,  green pepper,  Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Add beef, mix well. On a large piece on heavy-duty foil, pat meat mixture into a 15-inch x 10-inch rectangle. Sprinkle cheese to within ½ inch of edges. Roll up, jelly-roll style, starting with a short side and peeling foil away while rolling. Seal seam and ends. Transfer to a large baking sheet with sides. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Pour remaining ½ cup of marinara sauce over meat loaf and sprinkle with cheese. Bake an additional 10-15 minutes. 

Here is the meat mixture ready to roll before baking

The finished meatloaf - yumm!