Italian Style Meatloaf – Polpettone
Italian Style Meatloaf – Polpettone is comfort food all the way. With Italian flavors like pancetta, basil, Parmesan , this meatloaf tastes like the best giant meatball bathed in delicious marinara sauce.
There really is an Italian meatloaf
I recently learned that there is a traditional Italian meatloaf recipe, they call it ‘polpettone’. I learned this after writing my recipe and was hoping that I wouldn’t offend the Italians by calling it ‘Italian style’ but I think I may be safe now ๐
Meatloaf is very popular in my house at this time of year and my go-to is my pork, apple and sage meatloaf and I thought it was time for a new meatloaf recipe. Bolognese sauce and cheese stuffed meatballs are also in regular rotation for dinners (can you tell my husband is Italian?) and these were all inspiration for this Italian style meatloaf.
This is an all beef meatloaf with a little pancetta, carrots, celery, onion and garlic that is cooked and cooled before adding to the beef. This does 2 things, you get a lot of flavor into the meatloaf and this cooks the vegetables because I have found they just don’t cook all the way in the meatloaf when its roasting in the oven. The vegetables tend to stay a little crunchy.
In keeping with the Italian theme, I covered the top with homemade marinara sauce (this easy recipe link can be found below). Make sure you serve extra for pouring over the sliced meatloaf. Like Italian gravy.
Serving suggestion
When the meatloaf is 10 minutes away from being cooked. Cover the top in mozzarella cheese. I haven’t tried this yet, but it sounds amazing.
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Italian Style Meatloaf - Polpettone

This Italian style meatloaf is comfort food all the way. With Italian flavors like pancetta, basil, Parmesan and lots of marinara sauce, this meatloaf tastes like the best giant meatball.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 6 ounces (170 grams) pancetta, chopped
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 2 carrots, finely chopped
- 2 stalks celery, finely chopped
- 1 slice bread, lightly toasted then ground into breadcrumbs in the food processor
- 1/2 cup (118 ml) milk
- 2 pounds (680 grams) ground beef
- 2 1/2 ounces Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups (110 grams) marinara sauce
Instructions
- To a sauté pan add the oil over medium heat. Add the pancetta, onion, garlic, carrot and celery. Cook until the vegetables soften and the pancetta slightly crisp. Transfer to a bowl and allow to cool.
- To a mixing bowl add the breadcrumbs and milk, and leave for until all the breadcrumbs have soaked up the milk.
- Preheat oven to 400°F/200°C. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Once the pancetta mix is cool, add the ground beef, bread and milk mix, Parmesan, oregano, basil, egg, salt and pepper and ¾ cup marinara sauce. Mix until everything is well combined.
- Turn the mix out onto the baking sheet and mold into a meatloaf shape. About 10 inches long and 5 inches wide. Top with the remaining ¾ cup marinara sauce.
- Bake for about 1 hour, or until a thermometer when inserted into the center reaches 165°F/74°C.
- Remove from the oven and allow to rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving. Serve with extra marinara sauce
Nutrition Information
Yield
8Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 165Total Fat 9gSaturated Fat 3gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 5gCholesterol 50mgSodium 611mgCarbohydrates 10gFiber 1gSugar 3gProtein 10g
This nutrition calculation is provided by Nutronix that is only a guideline and not intended for any particular diet.
15 Comments on “Italian Style Meatloaf – Polpettone”
How much onion pancetta and carrots do you use
Are the measurements not showing for you? 6 oz pancetta, 1 onion and 2 carrots.
When I make ital>n meatloaf I mix mozzarella cheese into the meat mixture and it melts inside. It’s really good
I love this idea and will give it a try, thank you.
Do you by any chance have a recipe for the marinara sauce you would use for this recipe? I have been looking for a new marinara recipe and all of yours sound so amazing so far, I would imagine your marinara recipe sounds the same!
Hi Janelle, I do have a marinara recipe, here is the link:
https://culinaryginger.com/easy-homemade-marinara-sauce/ This meatloaf is so good and my new go-to at the moment. I hope you enjoy it.โ
Ahhh meatloaf, my old friend. I was always that “weird” kid who LOVED meatloaf, but today I just consider myself ahead of the times. ๐ This looks SO dang good!
My mom used to make meatloaf growing up but I never liked it much… this looks juicier and tastier!
Thank you so much Sarah
Yummm! I need a go-to meatloaf recipe…pancetta may have just tipped the scale into a full YES on this one ๐
The pancetta is a great addition ๐
I grew up in Italy and polpettone is a sunday must! You just reminded me I should definitely making it soon, this is comfort food at its best!
I had no idea there was an real Italian version. Thank you for the info ๐
This meatloaf looks so well prepared. And italian flavors are just spot on! yumm!
Oh how yummy! I especially love addition of the pancetta. Comforting, indeed. ๐