Meatloaf is definitely hit or miss. It can be tender and full of flavor, or it can be tasteless and dry like a brick. I picked up this particular recipe from my mom in Italy, and it is truly delicious. While it is prepared like a traditional meatloaf, it is basically braised in a Dutch oven instead of being baked in the oven. The result is a-MAZ-ing.

To begin, remove the crust from three slices of white bread and place in a small bowl and pour on enough milk to cover. You don’t want the bread necassarily swimming in the milk, but there should be enough milk that the bread can sit and soak it up. Set aside for a good 15 minutes. Then take a pound of meatloaf mix or an equal part of ground veal, pork, and beef. Place in a large bowl. Add one large egg, 3/4c grated Parmigiano, salt, pepper, 1 minced clove garlic, and the milk saturated bread. Using your hands (not my favorite thing to do) mix the meat mixture until all of the ingredients are combined. Form into a loaf. Next finely chop one small yellow onion, one small celery stalk, and one small carrot. Lightly coat the meatloaf all over with olive oil (again using your hands). Place 3Tbsp olive oil in a Dutch oven and add the prepared meatloaf. Allow to heat up on medium low heat. Then very gently, roll the meatloaf so that it begins to brown on all sides. I used two spatulas and a lot of swear words to do this…but feel free to do what works for you. Be careful that the meatloaf rolls as a unit or it will fall apart. When the meatloaf is lightly browned on all sides, add the chopped vegetables, 1/2c water, and 1/2c white wine. Cover, reduce the heat to low, and allow to cook one hour. About half way through, uncover and check that there is still liquid in the pan. There should be a bit of liquid in the bottom of the Dutch oven, but if it evaporates too quickly as the meatloaf cooks, add a splash more of wine or water. After one hour, partially remove the lid and allow to cook an additional 15 minutes. Slice and serve with chopped vegetables and any remaining liquid.

Tender and flavorful, this meatloaf does not disappoint.

Buon Appetito!