Step 1: Preheat Your Oven

Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a baking pan or line it with parchment paper so your meatloaf lifts out easily later.

Step 2: Prep the Cheese

Chop that cheddar into little cubes. These will melt into glorious, cheesy pockets inside your loaf.

Step 3: Mix the Base

In a big bowl, combine ground beef, eggs, Parmesan, diced onion, salt, and garlic powder. Use clean hands or a spoon to mix it gently—just until it comes together. Overmixing = tough meatloaf.

Step 4: Fold in the Cheese

Now comes the fun part. Add in those cheddar cubes and fold them gently into the mix. Make sure they’re evenly spread out so everyone gets a cheesy surprise in their slice.

Step 5: Shape Your Loaf

Plop your mixture into the pan and shape it into a loaf. Press it together just enough to hold its form—but don’t mash it too tightly.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into the oven and bake for 50–60 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when it hits an internal temp of 160°F (71°C). If you’ve got a meat thermometer, this is its time to shine.

Step 7: Rest & Slice

Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before cutting into it. This gives the juices a chance to settle in and makes slicing cleaner. Top with sugar-free ketchup or a sprinkle of chopped parsley if you like.