Every year for my husband’s birthday, I cook up a special supper of his choice. I offer to make anything his heart desires, from steak, to lasagna, to delicate fish filets, he can chose whatever he wants.
So imagine my surprise last year when he requested meatloaf.
Actually, not just any meat loaf, he specifically requested this meatloaf. It’s one of his favorite meals, and even though I hated meatloaf growing up, I have to admit that this recipe is pretty darn good!
Cheesy Meatloaf
- 1 pound grass-fed ground beef (or I often use deer burger or antelope)
- 1 beaten egg
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/4 cup dry bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon each: dried oregano, onion powder, ground black pepper
- 1 cup shredded cheese (I usually use sharp cheddar)
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
In a large bowl, thoroughly combine the meat, egg, milk, parmesan, bread crumbs, and seasonings. Toss the spoon and just use your hands to mix everything together. It’s a little messy, but effective. Then add in the cheese and incorporate.
Shape into a loaf and place in a 9″ x 5″ pan OR shape it into whatever design you want and place in an 8″ x 8″ pan.
Bake for 45 minutes to an hour, or until the meat is no longer pink. Take special care not to overcook this if you are using grass fed meat, since it is leaner by nature and will become dry if overdone.
You’ll never be able to tolerate bland meatloaf again after trying this recipe. I still think it’s a little crazy that he chose this over steak, but to each his own, right? 
This post is a part of: Tasty Tuesdays and the Hearth and Soul Hop
About Jill Winger
My husband would agree with yours, and he’d probably like this cheesey version. I’ll have to make it for him.
Yes, this recipe is definitely hubby-approved.
I do like to eat meat. I enjoy eating meatloaf. This recipe looks really easy. Also, the fact that your using grass-fed beef is a plus. Yummy
Love and hugs from Oregon, Heather 
This is how I always make meatloaf and my family loves it – the incorporation of the cheese just takes it to the next level. They are always a little disappointed when they eat it somewhere else. Thanks for sharing this with us at the Hearth and Soul Hop!
My family makes meatloaf like this, my husband use to ask me to make it a lot. <3
I will definately try the tips like grated carrot the next time to see if I will be adding it to my recipe.
Jill, thanks for sharing this recipe with Dr. Laura’s Tasty Tuesday last week. I can’t wait to make this for my husband – mainly because he LOVES meatloaf and I don’t, so we’ll see if I like this version better! I’ve featured you this week on my recap!
Dr. Laura
Yup – I make a similar meatloaf – but I’ve never tried cheddar!
Must try.
This was delicious! Even my super-picky son said so!
Ive never been a big fan of meatloaf. But my fiance has been wanting me to make some forever, so i finally gave in. I used this recipe exactly except i added a shredded carrot and half a chopped onion (made me feel better to add a bit of veg lol) and it was soo good!! My fiance said it was the best meatloaf he’d ever had! And thats a HUGE compliment coming from him…
Wahoo! I love comments like this one.
Love your carrot idea, too! I didn’t use to like meatloaf either, but I rather enjoy this recipe. 
I used JennyO turkey burger & this was a big hit with my family.My husband is a very picky eater & he loves this meatloaf.
Cool! I never thought of trying it with turkey burger!
I can’t wait to try this on my husband and son in law.
One trick I leaned for substituting lean meats into meatloaf is to add a panade. Use 2 Tbl. milk and 1/2 cup white bread crumbs OR 1/2 cup Panko. Mash it into a paste, then blend into the meat. Proceed with recipe as written.
I found this recipe last night (after finding your homemade breadcrumbs recipe) and had to try immediately. Finally, FINALLY, a meatloaf recipe that is easy AND delicious!!!!! My (sometimes) picky kids and my husband all love it. Thank you so much!!!!
Wahoo Jennifer! SO happy to hear it– you are very welcome.
OMG!! This is the best meat loaf I’ve ever had in my life! My g/f also agrees! I made a few changes to it. We used grass-fed cheddar cheese (Kerry Gold), 1/4 c diced organic onion, 2 cloves diced organic garlic, 1/4 c diced red pepper, and I added a 1/4 tsp of cayenne pepper to it. The cayenne was just enough to give a perfect little hint of spice. Thank you so much for this recipe!!