Add the ground sausage, beef, breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, eggs, garlic, diced onion, salt and pepper, along with 2 Tablespoons of the marinara sauce to a large mixing bowl.
Mix together, gently (don’t overwork the mixture). Form a loaf shape, even so that there’s not a thinner end and it cooks evenly.
Cover with the lid and cook on low for 5 hours.
Remove any of the liquid that has drained during cooking. I like to use my small ladle to do this, or you could use a turkey baster.
Pour over the marinara sauce and cook for another hour on high.
Garnish with chopped parsley and serve with mashed potato and vegetables.
Notes
Leftover meatloaf freezes exceptionally well. Once cooled, wrap individual slices or the entire loaf tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Place it in an airtight container or freezer bag to prevent freezer burn. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed through.
While this recipe calls for a combination of ground beef and Italian sausage, feel free to customize it to your preferences. You can try using ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option, or mix in different types of sausages for added flavor complexity. Just ensure that the total amount of meat remains the same to maintain the recipe's balance.