Goodbye Boring, Basic Meatloaf: The Italian-Style Makeover That Packs Twice The Flavor

There comes a point when even the classic meatloaf becomes boring and underwhelming. Somewhere between that first bite and the recipe you've made one too many times, this dish has slowly become far too repetitive, but an Italian-style makeover can fix all of that. It comes in the form of a chicken parmesan twist, an unexpected transformation that will instantly revise your love for meatloaf.

Chicken parmesan is one of those Italian-American recipes everyone should try at least once, whether as-is or in meatloaf form. For the latter, you will need ground chicken, grated parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, Italian breadcrumbs, and some meatloaf staples. As usual, mix everything into a loaf, but before it enters the oven, coat it in marinara sauce and top with a generous heap of parmesan cheese. While it's cooking, you can even take the time to toast a bit of extra breadcrumbs with Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs to finish the dish off on a spectacular note.

Within a chicken parmesan meatloaf, you can find some of the best qualities of the original dish, reimagined in meatloaf form. The savory richness is as prevalent as ever, only instead of crunchy forkfuls, it arrives in moist and soft bites that make the crispy breadcrumbs more outstanding. Laced with cheese from the inside out, the meat is infused with a melty tang that's a notch more exciting than the meatloaf you used to know — especially with marinara sauce coating the entire loaf in its tomato-y brightness, and sprinkles of Italian seasoning capturing an herby complexity (even though this spice blend technically isn't a thing in Italy).

You'd be surprised by how many different ways there are to further elevate this Italian-style meatloaf. Look no further than essential ingredients for Italian cooking, such as the ever-beloved pesto. Other than offering a herbaceous kick that lifts the entire flavor profile, this condiment can also give your meatloaf the moisture it needs to be utterly juicy and tender. Fennel, eggplants, and olives can also be finely chopped and added directly into the meatloaf for earthy pops of flavor. Maybe even swap out marinara sauce for something else, like a garlic butter sauce to give the dish a buttery richness, for example. Sometimes, it's just as simple as reaching for the cuisine's staple herbs, such as parsley, basil, or oregano, to introduce more earthy fragrance to your dish.

Alternatively, without changing any of the original components, you can play around with the dish's structure. This can be putting the cheese right into the center of the meatloaf when you're assembling for a one-of-a-kind cheese-stuffed version. Another way is to turn the cheese into a glaze and brush it over the meatloaf at the end. Instead of the stretchy pull, your meatloaf will get a luscious coat of tangy flavors. Maybe even serve it in a hoagie for a sandwich spin-off that vaguely reminisces of an Italian sub, or with a side of polenta instead of the familiar mashed potatoes to lean further into the Italian influence.

@erin.mccall

Parmesan Chicken Meatloaf ❤️ #parmesanchicken #meatloaf Ingredients * 1 ½ pounds ground chicken * 1 cup breadcrumbs plain or Italian style * ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese * 1 large egg * ½ cup milk * 3 cloves garlic minced * 1 small onion finely chopped * 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried) * 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning * 1 teaspoon salt * ½ teaspoon black pepper * 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese optional, for topping * ½ cup marinara sauce optional, for topping

♬ Appalachian Way – The Chilliout Folk