Fire up your pellet grill and join us for a family-favorite: Traeger Pizza Meatloaf. This smoky, stuffed meatloaf captures all the classic pizza flavors—pepperoni, fresh mozzarella, basil, and a rich tomato sauce—wrapped in a juicy, seasoned loaf. It’s comfort food with a barbecue twist, perfect for weeknights or a weekend cookout.

Traeger Pizza Meatloaf — Smoky Pizza-Stuffed Loaf
Meatloaf often gets a bad reputation, but this pizza-stuffed version changes everything. Inspired by a beloved family recipe and adapted for the pellet grill, it delivers the comforting texture of meatloaf with the bold, familiar flavors of pepperoni and fresh mozzarella. If you love pizza and smoky barbecue, this Traeger Pizza Meatloaf is a natural fit.

Recipe Shopping List
Before you start, gather these key ingredients. For precise measurements, quantities, and the printable recipe card, see the ingredients and instruction sections below.
- Ground beef (80/20)
- Italian sausage
- Eggs
- Italian breadcrumbs
- Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper
- Pepperoni
- Fresh mozzarella
- San Marzano tomatoes (canned)
- Fresh basil
- Olive oil
- Fresh garlic
- Dried oregano
- Optional sugar (for the sauce)

How to Make Traeger Pizza Meatloaf (Overview)
Here’s a clear overview of the steps. Use the full ingredient list and detailed instructions below when you’re ready to cook.
- Preheat the pellet grill — Set to 275°F for a steady, smoky cook.
- Combine the meat — Mix ground beef, Italian sausage, eggs, breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning, and salt until evenly combined.
- Assemble the loaf — Divide the mixture in two. Form a bottom patty, add the pizza-style filling (pepperoni, mozzarella, tomatoes, basil), then top with the remaining meat and seal the edges.
- Prepare the sauce — While the meatloaf smokes, sauté garlic in olive oil, add canned San Marzano tomatoes, oregano, salt, and optional sugar, then simmer to meld flavors.
- Smoke and finish — Smoke at 275°F for about an hour, raise to 300°F, brush with the homemade marinara, and continue cooking until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
- Rest and serve — Let the meatloaf rest 10–15 minutes before slicing to retain juices and a clean slice.





Recipe Details
Yield
Serves: 8
Prep Time
About 20 minutes
Cook Time
Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes (total time ~1 hour 50 minutes)
Ingredients (Full List)
Meat
- 2 pounds ground beef (80/20)
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup Italian breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
Filling
- 12 slices pepperoni
- 4 slices fresh mozzarella
- 1 (28 oz) can San Marzano tomatoes, drained and separated
- 4 fresh basil leaves
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (about 1/8 cup)
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic
- San Marzano tomatoes (from the can)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon sugar (optional)
Instructions (Step-by-Step)
- Preheat your pellet grill to 275°F and prepare a parchment-lined sheet for assembly.
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, Italian sausage, eggs, breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning, and salt. Mix gently until just combined—avoid overworking the meat.
- Divide the mixture into two equal portions. Form one portion into a 6-inch round disc on the parchment-lined sheet.
- Layer the pepperoni, fresh mozzarella, three drained San Marzano tomatoes (roughly mashed), and basil leaves over the bottom disc.
- Form the remaining meat into a disc and place it on top of the filling. Pinch and seal the edges well so the filling stays inside during smoking.
- Place the assembled meatloaf on the preheated grill and smoke at 275°F for 1 hour.
- While the meatloaf cooks, make the sauce: heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, add garlic and cook 30–60 seconds until fragrant. Add the tomatoes, salt, oregano, and optional sugar, break up the tomatoes, and simmer gently, stirring occasionally.
- After the first hour, raise the grill temperature to 300°F and brush the meatloaf with some of the marinara. Continue cooking until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
- Remove the meatloaf and let it rest 10–15 minutes before slicing. Serve with extra sauce on the side.
Notes and Variations
- Low-carb option: Replace Italian breadcrumbs with crushed pork rinds and omit the sugar in the sauce.
- For a cheesier interior, add extra slices of fresh mozzarella or a sprinkle of shredded mozzarella over the filling.
- Leftovers keep well covered in the refrigerator for 3–4 days, or vacuum-sealed and frozen for 1–2 months.
- To reheat, microwave slices with extra sauce or warm gently in a low oven to preserve moisture.
Nutrition (Estimate per Serving)
Calories: ~652 • Total Fat: 44g • Saturated Fat: 16g • Cholesterol: 192mg • Sodium: 1165mg • Carbohydrates: 13g • Fiber: 2g • Sugar: 5g • Protein: 48g
Nutrition data is an estimate.
Recipe FAQ
Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. For longer storage, vacuum-seal and freeze for 1–2 months.
Microwaving works well for individual portions; add extra sauce to keep slices moist. Reheating in a low oven preserves texture for larger portions.
Yes. Substitute pork rind crumbs for the Italian breadcrumbs and omit the sugar in the sauce for a low-carb version.

More Recipes to Try
- Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken Breast
- Taco Pizza
- Pulled Pork Pizza
- Traeger Pizza
- Blackstone Pizza
- Traeger Pizza Pasta Hotdish
- Pepperoni Pizza Rolls
- Easy Biscuit Pizza Poppers
- Cast Iron Deep Dish Pizza Crust

This Traeger Pizza Meatloaf brings together the best of both worlds: the smoky depth from your pellet grill and the classic, comforting flavors of pizza. It’s a crowd-pleaser for families and a great way to change up weeknight dinners. Serve with mashed potatoes, a green salad, or garlic bread for a complete, comforting meal.