Rice Stuffed Meatloaf

I have made several stuffed meatloafs over the years. It starts with a simple idea of how to present the same foods in a bit of a different way. I like using stuffings because when cut the meatloaf reveals a surprise. The nice thing is a wide variety of stuffings can be uses like a potato mixture in the vegetable stuffed meatloaf. This time I had an idea using sticky rice so proceeded to cook the rice then construct the meatloaf.

Baked/Problem

This meatloaf idea worked perfectly in my mind but was a nightmare to execute! I made the rice then realized it had to be cooled before using as a layer but sticky rice sticks together so spreading while cooled wouldn't work. The solution was to spread the hot rice on a Silpat® baking sheet, press into a layer then let cool. Once the rice was cooled I set about creating my layers of prepared meatloaf, spinach, cheese and rice on a sheet of wax paper. Rolling the loaf proved to be a two person, rather frustating ordeal!

The filling kept breaking through the meat layer. Then the wax paper started sticking. We finally got the loaf into a baking dish and fixed the break throughs as best as possible. I baked the meatloaf at 200ºC/400ºF until cooked through, about 45 minutes. Surprisingly the resulting meat loaf did not look too bad. There was one break-out (red arrow) so the meatloaf wasn't picture perfect but that doesn't really matter if the end result is good tasting food.

Rice Stuffed Meatloaf

My original plan for this meatloaf was a well defined spiral pattern. I was disappointed when the loaf first came out of the oven but cutting revealed a fairly well defined swirl so I was happy with that outcome. This meatloaf cut like a dream with nice clean lines. I used shredded mozzarella cheese left-over from Superbowl Sunday that didn't give the contrast that orange cheddar would have. I liked the way the spinach came out.

Despite not being the most perfect picture food the meatloaf was very tasty! The sticky rice really added to the texture so this will be something I will try again. I already have another plan in the making so watch for another stuffed meatloaf coming soon.