Little Italy Pepperoni Mushroom Pizza Loaf

By á-4202

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 cups onion, finely chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tsp dried oregano, crumbled
• 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper
• 10 oz fresh mushrooms, coarsely chopped
• 2 tsp salt, divided
• 1 cup pizza sauce, divided
• 2 1/2 lbs ground beef
• 3 eggs, beaten
• 1/2 cup fine, dry bread crumbs
• 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 lb mozzarella cheese, cut into 1/2" cubes
• 3 oz sliced pepperoni

Details

Servings 6
Preparation time 30mins
Cooking time 130mins

Preparation

Step 1

1) In a large skillet, warm the olive oil over med heat. Add onions, garlic, oregano and crushed red pepper, cover and cook, stirring once or twice, for 10 mins. Add the mushrooms and 1 tsp salt, raise the heat to med-high and cook uncovered, tossing and stirring the mushrooms often, until they render their juices and are tender, about 10 mins. Stir in 1/2 cup of the pizza sauce, remove from the heat and cool to room temperature.

2) Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, mushroom mixture, eggs bread crumbs, remaining 1 tsp salt and the black pepper and mix thoroughly. Add the cubes of mozzarella and mix until evenly distributed. Transfer the meat mixture to a shallow baking dish and shape into a flat loaf about 2 1/2" thick. Smooth the top fo the loaf with the back of a spoon. Spread the remaining 1/2 cup pizza sauce evenly over the loaf. Lay the pepperoni slices evenly over the pizza sauce, overlapping them if necessary and using them all.

3) Bake the meat loaf for about 1 1/4 hrs or until 145 degrees F, pouring off accumulated pan juices as necessary. Let stand for 10 mins before slicing. Serve hot.