Ingredients
- ⅓ cup milk
- 2 tablespoons purchased basil pesto
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 pound 90% lean ground beef
- ⅓ cup Italian-seasoned panko bread crumbs
- 8 slices pepperoni
- 2 ounces small fresh mozzarella balls (such as BelGioioso®)
- ½ cup marinara sauce, warmed
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil, or to taste (Optional)
Directions
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Combine milk, pesto, egg, garlic, and pepper in a medium bowl. Add ground beef and bread crumbs and combine, being careful not to overmix.
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Divide meat mixture into 4 portions. Press a well into each portion, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edge. Place 2 slices pepperoni into each well, overlapping to cover the length of the well. Top each with 1/4 of the mozzarella balls. Press meat mixture around the filling to enclose; form each portion into an oblong loaf shape. Place loaves into the air fryer basket, in batches.
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Cook in the air fryer at 370 degrees F (190 degrees C) until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest portion of the meat reads 165 degrees F (75 degrees C), about 15 minutes. Serve meatloaves topped with warm marinara sauce and fresh basil.
