Instructions:

Mozzarella-Stuffed Meat Loaf

1 cup meatless spaghetti sauce, divided
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 cup seasoned bread crumbs
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 teaspoons dried rosemary, crushed
1 pound lean ground beef
8 ounces bulk Italian sausage
3 ounces mozzarella cheese, cut into 4 x 1/2-inch sticks

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease an 8 x 4-inch loaf pan.

In a bowl, combine 1/2 cup of the spaghetti sauce, egg, bread crumbs, garlic and rosemary. Crumble meat over mixture and mix well. Press half into prepared loaf pan. Place pieces of cheese, evenly spaced, over top of meat mixture. Top with remaining meat mixture; press down firmly to seal. Bake, uncovered, for 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours or until meat is no longer pink and a meat thermometer reads 160 degrees F; drain.

Drizzle with the remaining spaghetti sauce; bake 10 minutes longer. Let stand for 10 minutes before slicing.

Yield: 6 servings