Layered Italian Meatloaf

Italian cheeses and spinach embedded between layers of herbed ground-beef add unexpected taste to the center of this meatloaf. ...MORE+ LESS-

1 1/2

lb lean (at least 80%) ground beef

can (8 oz) tomato sauce with basil, garlic and oregano

egg

3/4

cup Progresso™ Italian style bread crumbs

teaspoon garlic powder

1/4

teaspoon pepper

cup shredded Italian cheese blend (4 oz)

box (9 oz) frozen spinach, thawed, well drained

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1

Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 9x5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray or grease with shortening. In large bowl, mix ground beef, 1/2 cup of the tomato sauce, the egg, bread crumbs, garlic powder and pepper. Pat half of meat mixture in pan.
2

Sprinkle 1/2 cup of the cheese over meat mixture. Spread spinach over cheese; sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese. Pat remaining meat mixture on top of cheese. Insert ovenproof meat thermometer so tip is in center of loaf.
3

Bake uncovered 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes or until thoroughly cooked in center and thermometer reads 160°F. Run knife around edges of pan. Place serving platter upside down over pan; turn platter and pan over. Remove pan.
4

In small microwavable bowl, microwave remaining tomato sauce, loosely covered, on High 30 to 60 seconds or until hot; pour over top of meatloaf.