Italian stuffed meatloaf

I am updating this recipe because of a blogger issue.  My original post cannot be put in compose form.  I’m hoping this one comes through correctly.  Enjoy!

Today I will be re-posting one of my if not my favorite, meatloaf recipes.  I have passed it on to a lot of friends and everyone seems to enjoy this version. 

Note to all:  If you don't want to make homemade stuffing you can use any brand stove top  stuffing    It will work fine as a substitution.

My Dad loved stuffed meatloaf and honestly when Mom didn't have the time she'd use Stove top stuffing instead of her homemade stuffing . (Don' hesitate to use box stuffing. It does speed up your meal).  

Today I did her recipe but put it in a baking dish (stuffing first and then topped it with meat mixture. (She used to put her meat mixture on the bottom of the dish and then put her stuffing and then top it with the remainder of the meat.. I decided to try it a little different. It baked quickly, about an hour or a little more.  My meat was under 1 lb.  

Delicious Dinner Meal.  Nice for entertaining a small group.  Serves 4 medium portions.  Enjoy!  Happy Cooking!!!!

Ingredients for meatloaf: 
   

¾ to 1 lb. ground pork (beef or turkey can be substituted)

1 egg

½ cup bread crumbs (regular or seasoned) I used garlic herb

1 small onion grated( you can use onion powder)

1 clove garlic minced

½ tsp. salt

1 tsp. dried parsley

pinch pepper

½ cup milk

Topping: 

1 to ½ cups marinara sauce (jarred or homemade) I used my homemade easy recipe)

¼ cup mozzarella for garnish

Meat Mix 

In a medium bowl place meat, breadcrumbs, egg, onion, garlic, parsley, milk, salt and pepper.  Mix together.  Set aside.

Stuffing

1/2 to 3/4 cup Italian style bread (broke in pieces)

1 egg beaten

½ to ¾ milk

dash pepper

½ cup Italian cheese grated

¼ cup shredded mozzarella

1 small onion chopped

1 stalk chopped celery

4 tablespoons butter (salted)

In a pan melt butter, add onion, celery…Saute until translucent

In a large bowl put broken bread pieces, 1 egg beaten, ½ +cup milk, cheeses.  Set aside.   Add slightly cooled butter mixture.  Mix together with hands until bread in well moistened.. Set aside

 Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Lightly grease an 8 x8 inch baking dish with butter or spray with cooking oil..  Place stuffing mixture in dish.. Top with meat mixture.. Bake 1 hour or until browned..

 Take out of oven top with Marinara sauce, Pecorino Romano cheese and shredded mozzarella.  Bake 5 to 10 minutes more or until Marinara is warmed and cheese is melted and bubbly.

Italian style stuffed meatoaf(shortcut)

This is a great recipe that I have made for many years.  I make it with homemade bread stuffing but my mom made it with Stovetop stuffing.  Both methods are delicious.

1 lb. Ground Beef

2 eggs beaten

1/2 cup breadcrumbs 

1 small onion grated 

1tsp. Parsley 

1/2 cup milk

I tsp. Salt

1/2 tsp. Pepper

****1 package stove top stuffing made according to directions.( great shortcut method)

1 jar Rao jar marinara sauce

****Italian blend cheese for topping

Mix boxed stuffing gently until all stuffing is moistened. Set  aside.

Mix ground beef  with eggs, parsley ,breadcrumbs, onion, salt, pepper and milk.

Lightly spray a 9”x13” pan. Spread stuffing evenly in pan.  Place beef mixture on top of stuffing in pan .

Cover with sauce , then top with cheese.  Bake 350 ° approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour uncovered.

Serve with a side of spaghetti or to cut back on carbohydrates a green salad.

Zesty Shrimp salad with couscous

 This meal can be prepared in 30 minutes or less!!!

I'm determined to continue on with new recipes for the next month or so.  I know everyone is always looking for new salad recipes and since we still can get a lot of fresh produce I thought this might be a nice choice for the end of summer salads.

This recipe is right out of Woman's day magazine and has lots of healthy ingredients. No cooking is involved. Enjoy!

Original 6/8/17

1 cup couscous
salt and pepper
1 T olive oil
1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
2 navel oranges
20 large cooked and peeled shrimp
1 lb. cherry tomatoes(I used a gourmet medley for more color 
and taste)
1 avocado  cut into 1/2 inch pieces(I didn't have one)
1/2 small sweet onion slices thin
1/4 cup pitted green olives cut in quarters. (about 10)
2 T fresh lime juice, plus wedges for serving

Note:  my shrimp were lightly seasoned and I recommend using plain shrimp for this dish.

Place couscous and pinch of salt in a medium bowl. Add 1 1/4 cups hot tap water. Cover and let sit for 15 minutes.  Fluff with fork and fold in oil and basil

Next cut away the pith of the oranges and working over the bowl cut the oranges into segments, adding them to the bowl along with any juices. (Note) I didn't feel there was enough juice so I added 1/4 cup orange juice to the mix.

Gently fold in the shrimp, tomatoes, avocado, onion, olives, lime juice and 1/2 tsp. salt and pepper.  Serve over the basil couscous.  Light and Yummy!

5/5/16

3/8/2021

Lemony Shrimp Salad with Couscous: Light and healthy

1/13/14

Re-post because it’s so yummy!  And healthy too!

When I started this blog my intention was to bring basic good Italian and Slovak food back into the kitchen; recipes that have been in my family since forever and my plan is to continue to do. 

 Now that summer is here a few light meal recipes might appeal to all for those hot summery days. I have had several requests for light salads which can be served for dinner or lunch.. 

I saw this recipe in a magazine and decided to try it out and I liked it.  A little shrimp for an added change. This blog is still a work in progress and I'll continue to play around with some meals that I've found to be tasty, interesting and healthy as well.

 You can be assured the Italian and Slovak food I so love will always be a part of it. You can look forward to seeing Cappeletti, Ravioli, Pasta Fagioli, Chicken Scampi, Frittatas, Potato Pancakes, Pierogi,  as well as many favorite recipes that my mom and grandmothers used to make and  I loved to eat. 

Enjoy!

Recipe:
 

1 cup Couscous
1 1/2 lb. cooked and peeled medium shrimp (check out the fish dept at the market).  You may be able to get some already cooked and will make it easy to prepare for a quick meal).
1/2 lb.sugar snap peas(microwave for a few minutes) or vegetable of choice
3/4 cup fresh basil leaves..broken into pieces)
2 scallions chopped
2 tsp. grated lemon rind
3 tablespoons lemon juice
3 tablespoons olive oil
Lemon for Garnish if desired

Place couscous in a large bowl, add 1 cup very hot tap water with 1/4 each salt and pepper.  Cover and let sit for 5 minutes.

In a medium bowl place chopped scallions, sugar snap peas, basil, shrimp and lemon rind.  After couscous has set add above and toss with lemon juice and olive oil..

Note:  You may have to add a little more olive oil if it seems dry.  Also substitute a vegetable of choice instead of peas if you so choose.  Light healthy meal..

7/5/12 
7/15/13
1/13/14

Refreshing my backsplash

I replaced my countertop in August of 2022 with a beautiful granite Millennium cream granite and I did not like how my subway tile backsplash looked.  I was bummed but decided to not act hastily.  It was difficult.  The opinions were mixed.  Some as in my hubby said it looked fine and some thought it wasn’t complimentary to the granite. (I asked some friends who like to decorate as I do).

So after much thought (I waited 5 months to make sure-it was the right decision) I had it painted with chalk paint.

Chalk paint was used . High density foam roller was used. Sheepskin is the color paint.  Light polyurethane coated sealer. 

BEFORE PICTURES 

                                  BEFORE

                                 DURING

                                       AFTER

                                

                                After

I’m thrilled.