What turns an ordinary meatloaf into a fresh, scrumptious dinner? Stuffing it, of course! This keto cheese stuffed meatloaf recipe takes a classic comfort food and elevates it to a new level with a cheesy, flavorful filling. Whether you're following a low-carb lifestyle or simply looking for a delicious and satisfying meal, this recipe is sure to be a hit.
A Nostalgic Dish with a Keto Twist
The inspiration for this recipe comes from a cherished family tradition. The first time I made this was about 20 years ago when my hubby and I were dating. Actually it was the first meal I ever cooked for him. My grandmother had made this rolled cheese and spinach stuffed meatloaf for years. When I asked her for an idea to make my new boyfriend dinner she easily said, “This meal will win his heart!” And it did! She was a smart woman my grandmother and I miss her everyday. I continue to keep her legacy alive making all her favorites, just tweaked to make them low carb and keto. This keto version honors that legacy while adapting it to a healthier lifestyle.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
This meatloaf is not only delicious but also incredibly versatile. The cheese stuffing adds a creamy, melt-in-your-mouth texture that complements the savory meatloaf perfectly. It's a terrific family friendly approved meal. The best thing about this keto meatloaf recipe is that you really won't be able to tell that it's low carb. In fact, I guarantee you'll enjoy it more than your usual meatloaf recipes! It's crisp on the outside, moist inside, and has so much cheesy flavor. It's hard to resist a good meatloaf; when you find the perfect one, you'll want to make it all the time.
Key Ingredients and Substitutions
- Ground Meat: Ground beef is a classic choice for meatloaf, but you can also use ground turkey or a combination of both. For a leaner option, use 85/15 blend. You can use 80/20 or 90/10 if that's what you have on hand, but the texture may change slightly, and so will the fat content.
- Cheese: The recipe calls for a variety of cheeses to create a complex and flavorful filling. Cheddar cheese is a great option, and you can use mild, medium, or sharp cheddar cheese. You could actually use any good melting cheeses for this recipe. Other options include mozzarella, provolone, Parmesan, and Gouda.
- Binder: Instead of breadcrumbs, this recipe uses almond flour and Parmesan cheese to bind the meatloaf together while keeping it low-carb. You can also use simply Parmesan cheese by itself; it's a great binder for meatloaf! Alternatively, use another low carb flour substitute, such as golden flaxseed meal, sunflower seed flour, coconut flour, walnut flour, or even unflavored ground pork rinds.
- Vegetables: Diced onions add flavor and moisture to the meatloaf. Sauté them in olive oil and then add tomato paste with chicken broth to up the ante of flavors in this recipe. Some recipes use spinach or chopped green bell pepper. Feel free to grate the onion so it is in smaller pieces if you prefer.
- Seasoning: A blend of spices enhances the flavor of the meatloaf. I have my own homemade meatloaf seasoning you can use for this recipe. To make it, you will need dried mustard, paprika, salt, basil, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. I recommend you avoid using a meatloaf seasoning packet, as those often come with unnecessary fillers like wheat flour.
- Glaze: A tangy-sweet glaze adds a delicious finishing touch to the meatloaf. For this keto meatloaf recipe, we're combining tomato paste, white vinegar, and meatloaf seasoning to form the glaze. This is much more flavorful than using plain ketchup.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here are two variations of the recipe, choose the one that best suits your tastes or combine them.
Keto Cheese and Spinach Stuffed Meatloaf Recipe
Ingredients:
- Ground beef
- Egg
- Parmesan cheese
- Pork rinds
- Salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder
- Mozzarella cheese
- Spinach
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- In a bowl, mix the ground beef, egg, parmesan, pork rinds, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper, 1/4 tsp onion powder, 1/4 tsp garlic powder.
- Spread this meat mixture onto a baking sheet. Make a 10 by 12 inch rectangle and about 1/2 inch in thickness.
- Evenly spread out the spinach onto the meat.
- Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the spinach.
- Carefully roll the meatloaf up, starting from one of the short ends.
- Place the rolled meatloaf seam-side down on a baking sheet.
- Bake for approximately 30-40 minutes, or until the meat is cooked through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let the meatloaf rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
Keto Cheese Stuffed Turkey Meatloaf Recipe
Ingredients:
- Ground turkey
- Egg
- Pork rinds, crushed
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Onion, diced and sautéed
- Tomato paste
- Chicken broth
- Parsley
- Italian seasoning
- Keto granulated sugar
- Salt, garlic powder, black pepper
- Medium cheddar cheese, shredded
For the Glaze:
- Tomato paste
- Water
- Dijon mustard
- Tamari (or Worcestershire sauce)
- White wine vinegar
- Keto brown sugar substitute
Instructions:
- Prepare the Glaze: In a small mixing bowl, add tomato paste and water. Whisk until mixture is smooth. Add mustard, tamari, and vinegar. Whisk to combine ingredients. Add brown sugar and whisk until all ingredients are incorporated. Set aside.
- Prepare the Meatloaf: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 13x9 inch pan with aluminum foil. Set aside.
- In a small skillet, over medium heat, add oil. Once oil is hot, add onions. Cook, stirring frequently, until onions are softened, about 5 minutes.
- In a small bowl, add tomato paste and chicken broth. Stir until mixture is smooth. Add tomato mixture to onions in skillet. Stir to combine.
- Add parsley, sugar, Italian seasoning, salt, garlic powder, and pepper. Stir to combine. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
- In a large mixing bowl, add ground turkey, egg, pork rinds, and grated parmesan cheese. Add cooled tomato sauce mixture. Use your hands to combine all ingredients. Don’t over work mixture.
- Place ½ of meatloaf mixture onto prepared pan. Press mixture to form a flat loaf shape.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top of meatloaf, leaving ½ inch border around the edges of the meatloaf.
- Place the remaining meatloaf mixture on top. Press bottom and top layers of meatloaf together to seal the edges.
- Bake for 45 minutes. Increase heat to 400 degrees. Drain fat from pan if desired. Pour glaze over meatloaf. Return to oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes or until meatloaf reaches 165 degrees.
- Let meatloaf set for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Keto Meatloaf Recipe (with variations)
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds 85/15 ground beef
- 4 Tablespoons meatloaf seasoning (see below)
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup milk
- ¼ cup sugar-free ketchup
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 eggs lightly beaten
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- Glaze:
- 4 Tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 Tablespoons white vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons meatloaf seasoning
- Meatloaf Seasoning:
- 3 teaspoons dried mustard
- 3 teaspoons paprika
- 2 teaspoon salt
- 2½ teaspoons basil
- 2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoon onion powder
Instructions:
- Prepare Meatloaf Seasoning: Add 3 teaspoons dried mustard, 3 teaspoons paprika, 2 teaspoon salt, 2½ teaspoons basil, 2 teaspoon black pepper, 2 teaspoon garlic powder, and 2 teaspoon onion powder to a small bowl. Mix together until combined, then divide into 2 Tablespoons and 4 Tablespoons separately.
- Mix Meatloaf Ingredients: Place 2 pounds 85/15 ground beef in a large bowl. Add 4 Tablespoons meatloaf seasoning, 1 teaspoon olive oil, 1 cup Parmesan cheese, ¼ cup milk, ¼ cup sugar-free ketchup, 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 2 eggs lightly beaten, salt and pepper to taste and ½ cup sharp cheddar cheese. Mix the meatloaf with your hands until just combined (do not over-mix).
- Form and Glaze Meatloaf: Transfer the ground meat mixture into the greased loaf pan, pressing the meat down to form into a loaf shape. Add 4 Tablespoons tomato paste, 2 Tablespoons white vinegar, and 2 Tablespoons meatloaf seasoning to a bowl, and mix until combined. Add half of the meatloaf glaze over the top of the meatloaf mixture.
- Bake: Bake for 45 minutes, then remove from oven and spread the remaining meatloaf glaze over top. Top with additional cheddar cheese. Bake for another 12 minutes or until the internal temperature for the meatloaf reaches 155°F.
- Remove from the oven and let stand for at least 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Tips for the Perfect Keto Meatloaf
- Don't Overmix: When mixing the meatloaf, make sure not to over-mix it. Over-mixing changes the texture of your meatloaf, making it more dense.
- Rest Before Slicing: Before slicing your meatloaf, let it rest for at least 10 minutes. This will ensure it holds together well when you go to cut it.
- Add Bacon: If you like bacon, a little crumbled bacon added to the topping is so delicious.
- Make it Ahead: Make my easy keto meatloaf recipe ahead of time by forming the loaf, then storing it in the refrigerator or freezer before baking.
Serving Suggestions
Need some side dish ideas to serve with this awesome meatloaf?
Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers
- Serve this with a sugar free ketchup or barbecue sauce on the side.
- Pair with your favorite low-carb vegetables, such as roasted broccoli, cauliflower mash, or a green salad.
Nutritional Information
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is calculated with the assistance of a third party service. Values are approximate, can’t be guaranteed, and should be considered as estimates only. Values differ according to types and brands of foods used. When used in a recipe, erythritol has been removed from the carb count as it is a sugar alcohol.
- Serving: 1serving
- Calories: 297kcal
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Protein: 24g
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Cholesterol: 108mg
- Sodium: 811mg
- Potassium: 416mg
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 2g
- Vitamin A: 590IU
- Vitamin C: 2mg
- Calcium: 196mg
- Iron: 3mg
Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide
Read also: Magnesium Supplements for Keto