Stuffed Pizza Meatloaf

I love creating new recipes using what I have left in the fridge.  This Stuffed Pizza Meatloaf has a few delicious surprises inside.
A while back I was looking for recipes using Ritz crackers for an article I was doing.  A neighbor gave me a recipe for Elvis' favorite meatloaf using Ritz crackers in place of breadcrumbs.  That's where the crackers come in.  This meatloaf was also made with sour cream instead of eggs.  I was really surprised that the sour cream makes for the most tender meatloaf!  I had everything for the Elvis meatloaf but I also had some leftover pizza sauce and cheese.  The last ingredient - frozen mozzarella sticks.  And the Stuffed Pizza Meatloaf was born.

Ingredients:
1-1/2 lbs. 85% lean ground beef 1/4 cup chopped onion 1 clove garlic 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes 1 Tbsp. olive oil 1 cup Ritz or Town House crackers (about 20) 2 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce 1/2 cup sour cream 1 cup pizza sauce, divided 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided 6 frozen mozzarella sticks 1 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. black pepper
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.  In the bowl of a small food processor, add crackers, garlic and red pepper flakes and pulse into fine crumbs.  In a small skillet, heat 1 Tbsp. olive oil.  Add cracker mixture and toast lightly over medium heat.  Set aside.

In a medium bowl, combine ground beef, crumb mixture, salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, 1/3 cup pizza sauce, 1/2 cup mozzarella and sour cream.  Mix well to combine.  Spray a large piece of foil with cooking spray.  Flatten out meatloaf into a 9" x 6" rectangle.  Arrange mozzarella sticks side by side.

Form into a loaf shape enclosing mozzarella sticks.  Place in 8 x 12 baking dish.  Bake for 30 minutes.  After 30 minutes, top with remaining pizza sauce and return to oven for 20 minutes more.  After 20 minutes, add remaining mozzarella and return to oven until cheese is melted and bubbly. Let cool at least 15 minutes before slicing.

This a new family favorite!  I hope you'll give it a try! MORE MEATLOAF RECIPES: Grandma's Tomato Soup Meatloaf Cheesy Porcini Meatloaf