This delicious stuffed meat roll is juicy, cheesy, and packed with layers of ham, cheese, spinach, and carrots. It makes a beautiful family dinner and is surprisingly easy to prepare!
🛒 Ingredients
For the meat
- 1 kg (2.2 lb) lean ground beef
- ½ cup whole-wheat breadcrumbs
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
- ½ small onion, finely chopped or grated
For the filling
- 200–250 g sliced ham
- 200 g shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese
- 1 cup fresh spinach
- ½ cup shredded carrot
For the glaze
- 3 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon barbecue sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon mustard
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the meat mixture
Place the ground beef in a large bowl. Add the breadcrumbs, eggs, mustard, onion, salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian herbs.
Mix everything together with your hands or a wooden spoon until evenly combined. Don’t overmix, as this can make the meat roll dense.
2. Shape the meat
Place a large sheet of parchment paper on your work surface.
Transfer the meat mixture onto the parchment and press it into a rectangle about 1 cm (½ inch) thick.
Try to keep the edges relatively even.
3. Add the ham
Arrange the ham slices over the meat, leaving about 2–3 cm (1 inch) around the edges.
4. Add the cheese
Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the ham.
5. Add the vegetables
Spread the fresh spinach over the cheese, followed by the shredded carrot.
Don’t overfill the center, because the roll needs to close securely.
6. Roll it up
Starting from one of the long sides, carefully roll the meat over the filling using the parchment paper to help you.
Roll it firmly but gently, making sure the filling stays inside.
Pinch the seam and ends closed so the cheese doesn’t escape too much during baking.
7. Transfer to the pan
Place the roll seam-side down in a lightly greased loaf pan or baking dish.
8. Prepare the glaze
In a small bowl, mix together the ketchup, barbecue sauce, honey, and mustard.
Brush about half of the glaze over the top of the meat roll.
9. Bake
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bake for approximately 50–65 minutes, depending on the thickness of the roll.
For food safety, the center of a ground-beef dish should reach 160°F (71°C).
10. Add more glaze
About 10–15 minutes before the end of cooking, brush the remaining glaze over the top.
Continue baking until the outside is beautifully browned and caramelized.
11. Rest before slicing
Remove the meat roll from the oven and let it rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing.
This is important because it allows the juices to redistribute and makes the roll much easier to cut.
12. Slice and serve
Using a sharp knife, cut the roll into thick slices. You’ll see the beautiful layers of seasoned beef, ham, melted cheese, spinach, and carrot inside. 🧀🥕🌿
Serve with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, salad, or your favorite side dish.
⭐ Tips for a Perfect Meat Roll
- Use low-moisture mozzarella or a firm melting cheese to reduce excessive leakage.
- Don’t make the meat layer too thin, or it may crack when rolled.
- Chill the assembled roll for 15–20 minutes before baking if it feels difficult to handle.
- Let it rest before slicing for cleaner, more attractive pieces.
- You can substitute turkey or chicken for some or all of the beef, but adjust cooking time and ensure the center reaches the appropriate safe temperature.
Tender meat + savory ham + gooey melted cheese = a seriously satisfying dinner! 😍🥩🧀
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