Pinwheel Meatloaf

If you are looking for a new, delicious twist on meatloaf you are going to love this Pinwheel Meatloaf! The meatloaf is rolled up “cake roll” style with a cheesy rice filling. The result is a beautiful pinwheel effect that’s not only pretty but delicious. Make this dinner recipe to impress your family or guests!

Want to save this recipe? Enter your email below and we'll send the recipe straight to your inbox!

Email *

Save This Recipe

Meatloaf is delicious but it can get, I don’t know… a little boring sometimes? We had it a lot growing up and my mom would always try and put a little spin on it to keep it interesting for us so I try to do that now for my family, too! Mini meatloaf, meatloaf in the crockpot, cheesy Italian meatloaf – there are a lot of ways to dress up this classic comfort food dinner and today I’m sharing what I think might be my most favorite spin on it to date: Pinwheel Meatloaf!

It’s a little bit fancy, but not hard to make. Instead of just baking the meat in a loaf pan you spread it out, fill it with a delicious cheese rice filling and roll it up like a cake roll. This recipe is great for entertaining because you have to prep it ahead of time because it needs time to chill before you bake it. I love make-ahead dinners for guests – gives me more time to hang out with them instead of getting stuck in the kitchen the whole night!

I love how the slices look with the cheese and rice filling. People always think it’s way harder to make than it actually is! Of course, I always spill the beans on how easy it is and they are so surprised. I like to make it with this easy Broccoli Casserole. Once you see how to make I know you’ll be planning a dinner party with your friends just so you can show it off!

Pinwheel Meatloaf with Rice and Cheese

You only need a few simple ingredients!

• Ground beef
• Bread crumbs
• Cheez Whiz
• Egg
• Salt

The key to making tender pinwheel meatloaf is to not over mix it! You want to mix it lightly and just long enough to fully combine the ingredients. Overworking it can make it tough, so use a light hand.

Ingredients for the Filling

The filling is super simple just combine the ingredients in a bowl and it’s ready:

• Cooked white rice
• Cheez Whiz
• Chopped parsely

How to Make Pinwheel Meatloaf

Instead of forming the meat mixture into a loaf shape, you want to press it into a thin layer.

• Get a large piece of tin foil that is 12″ x 10″.
• Place the meatloaf mixture on it and press it into an even layer so it’s covering the foil.

• Top the meat mixture with the rice and cheese. Make sure to lightly press it into the meat in an even layer.
• To roll, start at a narrow end and roll the meat mixture up with the filling. Pull the foil away as you roll it up.
• Cover and chill the meatloaf roll-up overnight. Chilling it will allow it to set and will make it much easier to slice before you bake it.

Slice and Bake!

At this point, most of the work is done! All you have to do is unwrap the roll, slice it into pieces and bake it.

• Slice the meatloaf roll into eight pieces.
• Place them in a baking dish in an even layer.
• Bake the slices for 45 minutes or until the meat is cooked through.

How do you know when the meatloaf is done?

This nice thing about this pinwheel meatloaf recipe is that it’s easy to tell when it’s done because it’s sliced before you bake it. If you’re not sure you can always test the temperature with a meat thermometer. Stick it in the center part of the meat and it’s done when the temperature is 155 to 165 degrees F.

Can I use ground turkey instead?

You can use ground turkey for this recipe, but it is leaner so it might not be as juicy!

I love how these look! And it tastes amazing, too – each slice has that cheesy rice filling that goes so well with the savory tender beef. Pinwheel Meatloaf goes with so many side dishes, too! I’ve served it with cottage potatoes, crock pot green beans, and my favorite make-ahead mashed potatoes, too!

I think you’re going to love this pinwheel meatloaf! You can make it ahead for an easy weeknight dinner or pull it out when you want to impress dinner guests! If you want more delicious recipes be sure to check out these ideas, too.

More Delicious Beef Recipes

My family never gets tired of beef! If you need some ideas for that package of ground beef in the fridge be sure to give these a try, too:

• My favorite beef pot pie is one that you can make in just one skillet. It’s topped with gravy and biscuits and is so easy to make.
• I love to make a big pan of beef and potato enchiladas – it’s always a hit at my house! Add some homemade salsa and chips on the side and you’ll feel like you’re at your favorite Mexican restaurant.
• Or try my favorite lasagna recipe with ground beef – it’s my mom’s recipe and the one I make whenever I’ve craving some serious pasta and cheese!
• Shepherd’s pie is the ultimate comfort food dinner! A savory ground beef filling topped with creamy mashed potatoes is hearty and delicious.

WATCH THE STEP BY STEP VIDEO FOR THIS RECIPE BELOW:

If you enjoy watching these videos make sure you subscribe to my YouTube Channel to be notified each time a post a new video!

Try it and love it? Rate it, please!!!? Seriously though a five-star rating below will make my day! If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!!

Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!

 

5 from 9 votes

Pinwheel Meatloaf

A delicious meatloaf that's stuffed with a cheesy rice mixture and rolled up!

Prep:15 minutes mins

Cook:45 minutes mins

Total:1 hour hr

Print Recipe Rate Recipe

• Pin

Save RecipeSaved!

Want to save this recipe? Enter your email below and we'll send the recipe straight to your inbox!

Email *

Save This Recipe

Video

6

Ingredients

• ▢ 1 ½ ground beef
• ▢ 1 c. bread crumbs
• ▢ 8 oz Cheez Whiz
• ▢ 1 egg beaten
• ▢ ¼ tsp salt
• ▢ 1 ½ c. cooked white rice
• ▢ 2 Tbsp chopped parsley

Instructions

• In a mixing bowl combine meat, bread crumbs, half of the processed cheese spread, egg and salt. Mix lightly.
• Tear off a 12’’ x 10’’ rectangle piece of tinfoil. Pat out mixture to cover foil.
• Combine the rest of the cheese spread, rice and parsley. Spread mixture over meat. Roll up, starting at the narrow end, pulling the tinfoil away from the meat as you roll it up. Place in refrigerate for several hours or overnight.
• Remove from fridge and cut roll into eight slices; place in baking dish.
• Bake in preheated oven at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until meat is done.

Tips

• The key to making tender meatloaf is to not over mix it! You want to mix it lightly and just long enough to fully combine the ingredients. Overworking it can make it tough, so use a light hand.
• This nice thing about this meatloaf recipe is that it's easy to tell when it's done because it's sliced before you bake it. If you're not sure you can always test the temperature with a meat thermometer. Stick it in the center part of the meat and it's done when the temperature is 155 to 165 degrees F.
• You can use ground turkey for this recipe, but it is leaner so your meatloaf might not be as juicy!

Nutrition Information

Calories: 348kcal (17%), Carbohydrates: 49g (16%), Protein: 12g (24%), Fat: 11g (17%), Saturated Fat: 6g (38%), Cholesterol: 56mg (19%), Sodium: 1017mg (44%), Potassium: 206mg (6%), Fiber: 2g (8%), Sugar: 5g (6%), Vitamin A: 397IU (8%), Vitamin C: 2mg (2%), Calcium: 220mg (22%), Iron: 2mg (11%)

© Julie's Eats & Treats ®

We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information. The information in the nutrition box is calculated through a program and there is room for error. If you need an accurate count, I recommend running the ingredients through your favorite nutrition calculator.