Savory Meatloaf Roll with Mozzarella and Tomato Sauce

Follow our step-by-step guide on how to make Savory Meatloaf Roll with Mozzarella and Tomato Sauce.

1. Step 1

   Start by making the tomato sauce. In a saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the chopped onion, green bell pepper, and celery, cooking until the onion is soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Next, pour the undrained whole tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, sugar, oregano, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, and water into a blender. Blend until smooth, then pour this mixture into the saucepan. Let it simmer over low heat for about 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally. Just before finishing, stir in the chopped parsley and set the sauce aside.

2. Step 2

   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.

3. Step 3

   In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, Italian seasoned bread crumbs, garlic powder, Creole seasoning, cayenne pepper, and salt. Mix everything together until well combined. Spread this mixture evenly into the bottom of your prepared baking dish.

4. Step 4

   Now, it’s time to add the fun part! Scatter the shredded mozzarella cheese over the meat mixture, then drizzle 1/4 cup of the prepared tomato sauce over the cheese. Sprinkle with another 1/4 cup of chopped parsley and 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning for extra flavor.

5. Step 5

   Gently pick up one end of the meat layer (the short side) and roll it around the filling, creating a beautiful meatloaf roll. Once rolled, reposition it in the center of the dish and pour the remaining tomato sauce over the top, ensuring it’s well covered.

6. Step 6

   Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the meatloaf roll is cooked through and no longer pink in the center. An instant-read thermometer should read at least 160°F (70°C) when inserted into the center. Once done, let it rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving.