Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef
1/2 pound ground Italian sausage
1 small onion, finely diced
1/2 bell pepper, diced (any color)
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon spices (unspecified)
1/2 teaspoon basil
1/2 teaspoon parsley
1 beaten egg
3/4 cup Italian bread crumbs
2 slices white bread, dried
1 tablespoon milk
8 oz shredded mozzarella cheese, reserve 3/4 cup
1/4 ounce Parmesan cheese, grated
1 cup marinara sauce, plus extra 1/2-3/4 cup for garnish
Preparation:
Heat the olive oil in a small pan over medium heat. Sauté the onions and bell peppers for 3-4 minutes, then remove from heat.
In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground Italian sausage, sautéed onions, sautéed bell peppers, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, spices, basil, parsley, beaten egg, Italian bread crumbs, dried white bread, milk, and shredded mozzarella cheese (reserve 3/4 cup for topping). Mix everything together well.
Transfer the mixture to a baking dish of your choice.
Pour 1/2 to 3/4 cup of marinara sauce over the meatloaf and spread it evenly.
Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F for about 50 minutes.
Remove from the oven, sprinkle the reserved mozzarella cheese on top, and add a sprinkle of dry basil.
Return the meatloaf to the oven for another 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and golden.
Make sure the meatloaf is cooked through and no longer pink before serving, adjusting the baking time as needed based on the thickness of your loaf.
Serve with additional marinara sauce if desired.
Enjoy your delicious Thirsty Trap Meatloaf!
Note: The recipe includes some unspecified spices, so feel free to use your preferred spices or a blend that complements the flavors of the meatloaf.