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Cheese-Stuffed Meatloaf with Spinach

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This Cheese-Stuffed Meatloaf with Spinach is like an upscale cheeseburger! It's topped with cream of potato gravy and is so delicious. This has been my go-to meatloaf recipe for decades!

meatloaf with cheddar and creamy gravy on plate

I wondered aloud if I should call this "Company-Worthy Meatloaf" or "Man-Pleasing Meatloaf."

They're both accurate, but vague.

My husband and son looked at me like I had three heads and said, "Why don't you just call it 'meatloaf?'"

So, yeah, I'll stick to the headline writing. Besides, I also have an Italian Meatloaf recipe.

But this Cheese-Stuffed Meatloaf with Spinach is most definitely company worthy and man pleasing...almost comically so. Every time I serve it to guests, they love it and request the recipe.

But the guys...they go nuts.

They look at me in awe and say, "That's the best meatloaf I've ever had!"

It must be the oozing cheddar and the flavorful, creamy gravy. This is basically, an upscale cheeseburger meatloaf. Yum!

Cheese-stuffed meatloaf ingredients

ingredients for meatloaf with cheddar and spinach

I use rolled oats in place of bread crumbs, because it makes the meatloaf more tender. I also use oats in my turkey meatballs. If you want to use bread crumbs instead, you can.

And, don't be alarmed by the spinach. It works really well to add moisture (and veggies)! Even children love this meatloaf.

In fact, this cheesy meatloaf recipe is inspired by a long-ago article in Parents Magazine about what chefs serve to their children. Wolfgang Puck served something like this to his kids.

Recipe tip

It's best to use ground beef that's 85% lean. Meatloaf can be dry if the meat is leaner.

Gravy ingredients

The original recipe used canned cream of sodium — I mean mushroom — soup as the gravy. I started making mine from scratch, which was delicious too.

ingredients for cream of potato gravy

But then, instead of serving mashed potatoes on the side, I decided to just incorporate the potatoes in the gravy so it's a complete dinner. So, the gravy here is actually a quick cream of potato soup.

How to stuff the meatloaf with cheese

process to shape meatloaf with spinach, add cheddar and enclose

You'll shape the meatloaf mixture into a long rectangle, with the middle patted down and the edges forming a taller border. You'll sprinkle on the cheddar in the middle.

Then, you'll push the sides of the meatloaf up and over the cheese to enclose it. No one will know what's inside until you bake and slice it!

Making the cream of potato gravy

You'll cube a few potatoes and cook them in the microwave. Then, you'll throw them in the blender (affiliate link) with some chicken stock and blend until creamy.

potato chunks in bowl, in blender, then mixed

You'll stir melted butter with flour in a pot on the stove to make a roux. You'll add in some milk and seasonings and whisk until it thickens.

Finally, you'll stir in the potato mixture, more stock, and voila!

collage of pots with roux, milk added, final gravy

Cream of potato soup, A.K.A. gravy.

Frequently asked questions

Can you use a different topping?

If you're not in the mood to make the potato gravy, you can simply spread ketchup on the baked meatloaf. You also could substitute canned cream of mushroom soup mixed with some water. Or, turkey gravy would work nicely.

What should the internal temperature be?

Make sure to cook meatloaf to an internal temperature of 155 degrees F. Take it out of the oven and that point and let it rest at least five minutes before slicing it.

Can you make a smaller meatloaf?

This recipe uses three pounds of ground beef (enough for leftovers!), but you could halve the ingredients for a smaller loaf.

closeup of cheesy meatloaf with potato soup gravy on plate

Behold, Cheese-Stuffed Meatloaf with Spinach. Yum, yum and yum.

And I'm not even a guy.

Other recipes you may like

Enjoy!

plate of meatloaf with cheddar and potato gravy

Cheese-Stuffed Meatloaf with Spinach

This Cheese-Stuffed Meatloaf with Spinach is like an upscale cheeseburger! It's topped with cream of potato gravy and is so delicious.
5 from 5 votes
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Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 708kcal
Author: Mamma C

Ingredients

Meatloaf

  • 2 10-ounce packages frozen chopped spinach (thawed)
  • 3 large garlic cloves (peeled & finely chopped)
  • 12 ounces sharp cheddar (shredded or grated)
  • ¾ cup rolled oats
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • ¾ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon ground mustard
  • 3 pounds ground beef (85% lean works well)

Cream of Potato Gravy

  • 1 pound potatoes (about 3 medium potatoes)
  • 1 ½ cups chicken stock (divided)
  • 1 tablespoon salted butter
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup milk (2% or whole)
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Set out a rimmed baking sheet (no need to grease it).
  • Place the frozen spinach in a microwave-safe bowl and thaw it on high. Do not drain the spinach, as it will help add moisture to the meatloaf. While the spinach is thawing, peel and finely chop your garlic.
  • Shred or grate your cheddar if starting with a block. Use a blender or food processor if you have one. Set aside the cheese to be used later.
  • Add the spinach, garlic, oats, eggs, Worcestershire, seasonings and ground meat to a large mixing bowl. Use clean hands to gently mix everything together until the spinach, oats, eggs and seasonings are distributed evenly.
  • Transfer the meatloaf mixture to your rimmed baking sheet. Shape the meat into a large rectangle. It should nearly reach the top and bottom edges of the pan. Use your hands to make a rectangular well or indentation in the meat, starting from a couple inches inside the edges. Place your cheddar inside the borders of the well.
  • Starting at the outside edges, gently push the meat toward the center, covering the cheese and enclosing it completely. Pat the meatloaf into a level rectangle, so it will cook evenly. Wash your hands well.
  • Bake at 350 degrees F for one hour, or until the meat has reached an internal temperature of 155 degrees F.
  • While the meatloaf is baking, make the potato gravy. Peel your potatoes and cut them into cubes. Cook them in the microwave, in a microwave-safe bowl, on high for about 8 minutes, stirring halfway. Potatoes are done when you can easily insert a fork in them. Place the cooked potatoes and ¾ cup chicken stock in your blender and mix until smooth.
  • In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium-high heat and whisk in the flour, stirring for a minute. Add the milk, salt, pepper and onion powder and whisk constantly, until the mixture starts to thicken and get bubbly. Cook for another minute and then add the potato mixture, stirring to combine. Add the remaining ¾ cup of chicken stock. Continue stirring until the gravy is mixed and heated. Turn off the heat. You can reheat the gravy for a few minutes when the meatloaf comes out of the oven.
  • When the meatloaf is done, let it rest at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before slicing, to give the cheese a chance to set a bit. (Otherwise, it will run out as soon as you slice.) You can reheat your gravy at this time, if needed.
  • To serve, spoon some potato gravy onto each slice of meatloaf. Store leftover meatloaf and gravy separately in the refrigerator for up to four days.

Video

Notes

This recipe can easily be cut in half, but I like to make enough for leftovers.
If you're not in the mood to make the potato gravy, you can simply spread ketchup on the baked meatloaf. You also could substitute canned cream of mushroom soup mixed with some water. Or, turkey gravy would work nicely.
It's best to use ground beef that's 85% lean. Anything leaner can make the meatloaf dry.
If you don't have oats, you can substitute bread crumbs. The oats make the meatloaf more tender.

Nutrition

Calories: 708kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 52g | Fat: 44g | Saturated Fat: 21g | Cholesterol: 229mg | Sodium: 1226mg | Potassium: 1278mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 8900IU | Vitamin C: 13.6mg | Calcium: 502mg | Iron: 8.6mg
Tried this Recipe? Mention @cookingwithmammac or tag #CookingWithMammaC!

(Recipe Source: Inspired by a Wolfgang Puck recipe I saw in Parents Magazine many years ago. Creamy Potato Gravy adapted from cream of vegetable soup in Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book, 1989. This post was originally published on January 19, 2015 and has been updated with new photos and text.)

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Comments

  1. Roz @ La Bella Vita Cucina

    5 stars
    Andrea, that is certainly one of the most beautiful meatloaves that I've ever laid eyes on. Ooozing cheese with a creamy potato gravy . . . I'd eat the whole thing . . . and I've been know to eat a whole meatloaf before! Can't wait to try this on my family! Have a great evening!
    Rpz

    Reply

    • Mamma C

      Thanks so much, Roz! Just don't hold me responsible for any overeating that occurs. 🙂

      Reply

  2. Jess @ whatjessicabakednext

    This is such a delicious idea! Love the sound of stuffing the meat loaf with oozy, gooey and tasty cheddar! Yum!

    Reply

    • Mamma C

      This is a must-try for any cheese-loving meat eaters, Jess!

      Reply

  3. Cheryl "Cheffie Cooks" Wiser

    Hi Andrea, nice recipe. I have something quite similar A Greek-Style Stuffed Meatloaf the gang loves. I have not yet posted it on TK (because I just do not really know what to call it)?! It's a creation my Grandma made and my own creativity at work. I'll think on it or use your Son and Husband's "Meatloaf" HAhahahahahah I laughed myself out of my desk chair over that one and the sodium. However, all true. We must have a catchy name, don't you agree? It is extremely important naming our recipes, like I take it very seriously (NOT!). Best always, your Florida Bud. Cheryl.

    Reply

    • Mamma C

      Hahaha! I will have to ask the guys if you have permission to use their idea, lol! Your "Greek-Style Stuffed Meatloaf" sounds very appetizing though!

      Reply

  4. Annie @ ciaochowbambina

    5 stars
    I love how creative this is! I have only made meatloaf with the usual ingredients - I am certain my family will love this clever take on a classic!! Delish!!

    Reply

    • Mamma C

      This one's always popular. I hope you try it some time, Annie!

      Reply

  5. Savita @ ChefDeHome

    omg.... Andrea, this looks super delicious! cheese oozing from a flavorful meatloaf with gravy, super yummy!

    Reply

    • Mamma C

      And the leftovers are fabulous! Thanks, Savita. 🙂

      Reply

  6. Angie

    This looks amazing! I was actually making meatloaf tonight, I think I will have to try your recipe instead of mine!

    Reply

    • Mamma C

      I hope you enjoy it, Angie!

      Reply

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