Air Fryer Cheese-Stuffed Mini Italian Meatloaves
Description
Traditional meatloaf is modernized in this easy Italian-inspired recipe--mini loaves are stuffed with mozzarella and pepperoni and cooked in an air fryer!
Ingredients
•
1/3 cup milk
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2 tablespoons purchased basil pesto
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1 egg, lightly beaten
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1 clove garlic, minced
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1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
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1 pound 90% lean ground beef
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1/3 cup Italian-seasoned panko bread crumbs
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8 slices pepperoni
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2 ounces small fresh mozzarella balls (such as BelGioioso®)
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1/2 cup marinara sauce, warmed
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1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil, or to taste
Directions
1
Combine milk, pesto, egg, garlic, and pepper in a medium bowl. Add ground beef and bread crumbs and combine, being careful not to overmix.
2
Divide meat mixture into 4 portions. Press a well into each portion, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edge. Place 2 slices pepperoni into each well, overlapping to cover the length of the well. Top each with 1/4 of the mozzarella balls. Press meat mixture around the filling to enclose; form each portion into an oblong loaf shape. Place loaves into the air fryer basket, in batches.
3
Cook in the air fryer at 370 degrees F (190 degrees C) until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest portion of the meat reads 165 degrees F (75 degrees C), about 15 minutes. Serve meatloaves topped with warm marinara sauce and fresh basil.