Stuffed Mozzarella Meatloaf

Ingredients:
2 lbs ground beef, lean
1 small loaf (day old) Italian Bread
1 cup milk
2 eggs
1/4 cup ricotta cheese, whole milk
1 small onion, chopped
3 Tbs red or green bell pepper, diced fine
4 garlic cloves, chopped
1/4 c fresh parsley
1/4 c fresh basil
salt and pepper to taste
1 lbs fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced in 1/4 inch pieces



Topping:
1/2 c canned tomato sauce, crushed
1/2 c ketchup
1/4 c brown sugar, unpacked
*Mix all these ingredients in small bowl, reserve

Directions:
1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2.  In large bowl add broken pieces of Italian bread to milk.  Soak, then squeeze out milk from soaked bread.  Add bread back to bowl, pull apart.
3.  Add eggs, ricotta cheese, onion, peppers, garlic, parsley, basil, salt and black pepper and mix well.  Add ground beef to bread mixture, mix well.
4.  In large, pre greased baking dish spread out half meatloaf mixture.  Add mozzarella cheese on top, across the center of the mixture.  Layer remaining mixture on top.  Spread sauce mixture on top of meatloaf.  Bake to 165 degrees or about approx. 30 mins.  Let sit for a few mins before slicing.

Note:  Recipe can be made smaller or in larger baking dish to cook faster.  These can also be make into patties.