Italian Meatloaf

Italian Meatloaf  
Prep Time:  10 minutes 
Cooking Time: 1 hour


Ingredients 
3 pounds ground beef  
 1 cup marinara sauce 
 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  6 garlic cloves chopped (approximately 4 teaspoons)
  2 red peppers, seeded, diced into small pieces 
  ½ cup basil leaves, chopped
  2 onions, medium, diced 
 4 eggs, medium 
 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 
 ½ teaspoon black pepper  
 2 cups Parmesan, grated 
 1 ½ cups breadcrumbs 
 2 tablespoons parsley leaves, chopped 
 1 teaspoon salt 
 ¼ cup plus
 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil  

Directions

1- Preheat your oven to 350 F/175 C in advance. 
2- Over medium heat in a medium sauté pan; heat approximately ¼ cup of olive oil and then add in the garlic. Sauté for a minute & then add in the onions & peppers; sauté for couple of minutes, until just soft. Remove the pan from heat and let cool at room temperature.

3- Whisk basil together with eggs & parsley in a small size bowl; then add black pepper & salt to taste. Combine the breadcrumbs and Parmesan in a separate bowl, preferably small size.
4- Using your hands, thoroughly mix the meat with eggs & herbs, breadcrumbs & Parmesan, the Worcestershire, vinegar & the leftover olive oil in a large bowl, ensure you don’t over mix the ingredients.
5- Lightly coat loaf pan with oil and pack meat mixture into it. Top with the marinara and ensure you spread the mixture evenly on the top. 
6-Bake until an instant-read meat thermometer reflects 160 F, when inserted in the middle, for an hour or little less. Remove the loaf pan from oven & let rest for 3 to 5 minutes. Slice & serve.

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