This classic turkey meatloaf is baked to perfection with a delicious ketchup glaze. The ultimate weeknight easy meal made in under 60 minutes!
If you’re a fan of my delicious Baked Turkey Meatballs then you will love this traditional turkey meatloaf.
Most people when they think of meatloaf they usually think of bland meat. That is definitely not the case with this recipe. Juicy, tender, melt in your mouth meatloaf is what I was aiming for and I achieved it. The secret to a delicious meatloaf is sauteing the onions, red crushed pepper, and fresh garlic in oil and seasoning the turkey generously. Also, you want to make sure you don’t overcook your meatloaf. Ground turkey should be cooked until the internal temperature reaches 160 F.
Why This Recipe Works
- The egg helps to bind all of the ingredients together
- Breadcrumbs help the turkey become less sticky and easier to work with and also adds fantastic flavor.
- Ketchup and Worcestershire sauce are a must in this recipe.
- Season with 1 tsp of salt for every pound of turkey you use.
How to Make Turkey Meatloaf – Step by Step
The easiest meatloaf you’ll ever make, this is all you have to do:
Mix the ingredients in a large bowl until well combined.
Tip:
Using seasoned breadcrumbs? Use 3/4 tsp of Kosher salt. If the breadcrumbs are unseasoned, use 1 tsp of Kosher salt.
If you don’t feel like sauteing the onions and garlic, just throw them in raw. However, I highly recommend getting those onions nice and caramelized.
Use clean hands or a fork to mix the ingredients. Adjust this recipe to your liking, love parmesan cheese? Add a little. Keep in mind that cheese is salty so you may want to cut back a little on the salt if you decide to add cheese.
Use regular ground turkey for this recipe instead of ground turkey breast. Ground turkey breast will be a bit on the drier side.
Mix until well combined but careful you don’t overmix, that can result in a tough meatloaf.
Form your meatloaf into a log and place it on a baking sheet.
Smother your meatloaf with ketchup and bake at 325 degrees F. for 45 minutes or until fully cooked through.
Cooks Tips for Classic Turkey Meatloaf Success:
Make it Low Carb or Keto Friendly and swap out the breadcrumbs for almond meal.
Don’t like ketchup? Use BBQ Sauce instead of ketchup.
Want to spice it up? Add a splash of sriracha to your meatloaf mixture.
Use a combination of pork, beef, and veal if you don’t want to use ground turkey.
What Can I Serve This Meatloaf With?
I personally love serving this with Honey Roasted Carrots and Creamy Mashed Potatoes. Although, potatoes and vegetables aren’t your only options. Here are some more delicious sides that pair fantastically with turkey meatloaf:
- Cheese Garlic Biscuits
- Creamed Corn
- Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
- Loaded Mac and Cheese
- Candied Yams
- Spanish Rice
Classic Turkey Meatloaf
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 egg
- 1 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 small onion
- 2 garlic cloves
- pinch of red crushed pepper
- 1 tsp kosher salt or to taste
- pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
- Add olive oil to a small skillet and heat over medium heat.
- Add the onions and cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Stir in the garlic and red crushed pepper, cook until fragrant. Remove off the heat.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked onion mixture, egg, 2 tbsp of ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and breadcrumbs.
- Add the ground turkey to the egg mixture and mix until well combined.
- Place the ground turkey mixture on a baking sheet and form it into a log or use a meatloaf pan, if desired.
- Brush the meatloaf with ketchup, leaving about 2 tbsp behind and bake for 40 minutes.
- Brush the meatloaf with the remaining ketchup and bake for an additional 5 minutes or until fully cooked through.
Notes
- Make it Low Carb or Keto Friendly and swap out the breadcrumbs for almond meal.
- Don't like ketchup? Use BBQ Sauce instead of ketchup.
- Want to spice it up? Add a splash of sriracha to your meatloaf mixture.
- Use a combination of pork, beef, and veal if you don't want to use ground turkey.
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