Recipe: Meatloaf with Ricotta and Hard Boiled Egg Filling (Italian)

MEATLOAF WITH RICOTTA

"You must let this meat loaf rest for at least 15 minutes after cooking or the ricotta will run. Once it holds together, be sure to place the sliced meat loaf on top of the sauce so the diner can see the sliced egg inside."

FOR THE MEAT MIXTURE:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 pound lean ground beef
1/2 pound lean ground pork
1 large egg, beaten
1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 cups marinara sauce (for serving)

FOR THE FILLING:
3/4 pound ricotta
1 egg, beaten
2 tablespoons finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/3 teaspoon grated nutmeg
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 large eggs, hard-cooked and shelled

Heat the oven to 400 degrees F. Butter a 9x5x3-inch loaf pan.

To prepare the meat mixture, heat the oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic. Cook until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the beef, pork, 1 egg, 1/3 cup Parmesan, 2 tablespoons parsley, salt and pepper to taste, and the cooked onions and garlic. Mix well and set aside.

To prepare the filling, in a separate bowl, combine the ricotta, 1 egg, 2 tablespoons parsley, 1/3 cup Parmesan, nutmeg, and salt and pepper to taste and mix well.

Line the bottom of the loaf pan with about 3/4 inch of the meat mixture. Build up walls on the inside of the pan that are the same thickness. Fill the center cavity with the ricotta mixture. Force the whole boiled eggs end to end into the ricotta mixture so that the eggs are completely covered by ricotta. Add the remaining meat on top of the ricotta so that the filling is completely covered by the meat.

Place the meat loaf, uncovered, in the hot 400 degree F oven and bake for 50 to 60 minutes, until the top is golden brown. Remove the meat loaf and allow it to rest about 15 to 20 minutes.

In the meantime, heat the marinara sauce.

Slice the meat loaf and serve it on a puddle of sauce.

Makes 6 servings
Source: Italian Family Dining: Recipes, Menus, and Memories of Meals with a Great American Food Family by Edward Giobbi and Eugenia Giobbi Bone