Easy Meatloaf with Spaghetti and Tomato Sauce Recipe
This easy meatloaf recipe pairs a flavorful pork mince loaf with a hearty tomato sauce and spaghetti, creating a comforting, family-friendly meal. The meatloaf is enriched with feta, sage, and fresh breadcrumbs, baked to perfection, and served alongside spaghetti tossed in a slow-simmered passata sauce infused with onions and bay leaves.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Ingredients
Scale
Meatloaf
- 2 tbsp olive oil, plus extra for greasing and drizzling
- 2 onions, finely chopped
- 500g pork mince
- 1 large egg
- 75g fresh breadcrumbs
- 15 sage leaves, roughly chopped
- 100g feta, crumbled
- 3 bay leaves (1 finely chopped, 2 whole)
Tomato Sauce
- 680g jar passata
- 70ml water
Spaghetti
- 600g spaghetti
Instructions
- Prepare the Oven and Pan: Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan) or gas mark 4. Grease an ovenproof dish with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Sauté Onions: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onions and sauté for 5 minutes until softened. Remove half of the onions and place them into a large mixing bowl.
- Mix Meatloaf Ingredients: To the bowl with onions, add 500g pork mince, 1 large egg, 75g fresh breadcrumbs, 15 chopped sage leaves, 100g crumbled feta, and 1 finely chopped bay leaf. Season the mixture generously with salt and pepper and combine well to form an even mixture.
- Shape and Bake Meatloaf: Shape the mixture into a long sausage shape and transfer it to the prepared ovenproof dish. Place the remaining whole bay leaves on top of the meatloaf and drizzle a little olive oil over it. Bake in the oven for 40-45 minutes until cooked through.
- Prepare Tomato Sauce: While the meatloaf is baking, keep the remaining sautéed onions in the frying pan on low heat for 2 minutes. Increase the heat slightly, then add the jar of passata and 70ml water. Simmer gently for 30 minutes, stirring frequently, until rich and flavorful. Season the sauce to taste with salt and pepper.
- Cook Spaghetti: Cook 600g spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta once cooked.
- Combine and Serve: Toss the cooked spaghetti in the tomato sauce until evenly coated. Slice the meatloaf and serve alongside the spaghetti with tomato sauce for a hearty, satisfying meal.
Notes
- For a leaner option, substitute pork mince with turkey or chicken mince.
- Fresh sage can be replaced with dried sage at one-third the quantity if fresh is unavailable.
- The feta adds a salty tang to the meatloaf; adjust seasoning accordingly.
- Leftover meatloaf can be refrigerated for up to 2 days or frozen for up to 1 month.
- Feel free to add a pinch of chili flakes to the tomato sauce for a spicy kick.
Keywords: easy meatloaf, pork meatloaf, spaghetti with tomato sauce, comfort food, family dinner
