It’s (still) Winter which means on any given cold and gloomy day we’re craving comfort food that will warm our souls as we wait for Spring! The bad thing about comfort food? It’s usually assumed to be associated with being unhealthy. Not the case with this recipe, my friends. Swapping lean, organic turkey for beef makes this meatloaf recipe healthier while still being 100%  comforting and full of flavor! I’ve actually grown to love ground turkey and may just prefer this over the traditional meatloaf now! I’m not sure my husband would go as far to say the same, but he certainly goes back for seconds when turkey meatloaf is served for dinner 🙂

I feel extra confident sharing this recipe, because my sometimes (that’s a sarcastic sometimes) picky step-daughter enjoyed it too! I’m always thrilled when I find a new recipe everyone likes so our weekly dinner menus can continue to evolve! Speaking of recipes, menus and evolving…have you all seen the show Master Chef Junior? Wow! The kids on that show are amazing; I feel like my mind was blown watching a 9 year old girl win after preparing impressive three course meals for some of the toughest and most respected food critics! If you haven’t seen Master Chef Junior, do yourself a favor and find it on demand! Please note, you may feel wildly behind in the kitchen after witnessing these cute chefs 🙂

On a contrary note, you won’t feel behind at all when attempting to make this turkey meatloaf. I promise, it’s as simple as can be and quick enough for a nice weeknight meal after a long day at work! Our favorite pairing side dishes are homemade mashed potatoes (courtesy of my husband most times) and homegrown green beans canned from this Summer, a perfect Winter meal! Enjoy!

Easy Turkey Meatloaf

(Serves 2-3)

Ingredients:

• 1 lb lean ground turkey
• 1/2 egg
• 1/2 onion, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup milk (I use 2%)
• 1/2 cup plus 2 Tbsp dried Italian bread crumbs
• salt and pepper, to taste
• dried parsley, for garnish (optional)

For the Sauce

• 1 1/2 Tbsp brown sugar
• 1 1/2 Tbsp yellow mustard
• 1/3 cup ketchup

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350. In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, mustard and ketchup and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, egg, onion, milk, bread crumbs, salt and pepper. Mix well.
3. Transfer the meat to a lightly buttered 9×13 baking dish. Using your hands, form meat into a loaf. Add another dash of salt and pepper, if desired.
4. Pour sauce over top the meatloaf and sprinkle with dried parsley. Cover with foil and bake for 45-50 minutes or until cooked through. Internal temperature should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

 

As always, thanks for reading!!