Stuffed Mozarella Meatloaf

Stuffed Mozzarella Meatloaf

Ingredients:
2 lbs ground beef, lean
1 lbs fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced in 1/4 inch pieces
1 small loaf (day old) Italian Bread
2 eggs
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

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:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In large bowl add broken pieces of Italian bread to water. Soak, then squeeze out water from soaked bread. Discard all water, adding bread back to bowl, pull apart. Add eggs, onion, peppers, garlic, parsley, basil, salt and black pepper and mix well. Add ground beef to bread mixture. In large 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 45- 55 mins. Let sit for a few mins before slicing.
Today I am thanking God for my friends with such amazing food talent!?!