Description
This Cream Cheese Stuffed Meatloaf combines ground beef and pork with flavorful seasonings and a creamy surprise center of rich cream cheese. Baked to perfection with a tangy ketchup topping, it makes a comforting and crowd-pleasing main dish perfect for family dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatloaf Mixture
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 pound ground pork
- 2 cups onion (2 medium, chopped)
- 1 (6-oz) can tomato paste
- 3 large eggs
- 2/3 cup milk
- 2 cups panko bread crumbs
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 cloves garlic (smashed and minced)
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley (or 1 tablespoon fresh parsley)
Filling
- 2 (8-oz) packages cream cheese
Topping
- 1/2 – 3/4 cup ketchup (for the top)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or use aluminum foil sprayed with nonstick spray to prevent sticking.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, add all meatloaf mixture ingredients except the cream cheese and ketchup. This includes ground beef, ground pork, onions, tomato paste, eggs, milk, panko bread crumbs, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, thyme, kosher salt, black pepper, and parsley.
- Prepare Cream Cheese: Cut the cream cheese into large chunks using a knife and set aside. These chunks will become the delicious creamy filling.
- Mix Meatloaf: Using your hands, combine the meat mixture thoroughly but avoid overmixing to keep the meatloaf tender and juicy. A spoon won’t mix as well, so hands are recommended.
- Shape Meatloaf Base: Turn the combined meat mixture out onto the prepared baking sheet. Pat it down into a large rectangular shape, forming the base of your meatloaf.
- Add Cream Cheese Filling: Distribute the cream cheese chunks evenly down the center of the meatloaf rectangle, running lengthwise.
- Seal Meatloaf: Carefully fold the long edges of the meatloaf over the cream cheese to encase it. Use your hands to mold and seal the edges securely to prevent the cheese from leaking out while baking.
- Apply Ketchup Topping: Spread or squirt the ketchup over the top of the meatloaf to add moisture and a tangy flavor.
- Bake: Bake the meatloaf in the preheated oven for about 40-50 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to check doneness; the internal temperature should reach 160 degrees F.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the meatloaf from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing. This helps the juices redistribute and keeps the meatloaf moist.
Notes
- The key to tender meatloaf is not to overmix the ingredients.
- Sealing the cream cheese filling well prevents it from oozing out during baking.
- Letting the meatloaf rest after baking helps retain moisture and flavors.
- If you prefer, you can substitute fresh parsley for dried parsley in equal amounts.
- Panko bread crumbs give a lighter texture than regular bread crumbs.
