Mini Turkey Meatloaf

Name: Mini Turkey Meatloaf
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 pound lean ground turkey; 1 pound Italian turkey sausage; 1 egg; 1/2 cup oatmeal; 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus 2 tablespoons for garnish; 1/2 6 oz. can tomato paste; 2 tablespoons maple syrup; 2 tablespoons chopped parsley, plus 1 tablespoon for garnish; 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard; 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar; 1 small onion, diced; 1 clove garlic, minced; salt and pepper; 1/2 6 oz. can tomato paste; 2 tablespoons maple syrup; 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar; 1/4 teaspoon salt

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Mini turkey meatloaf is super moist and full of rich flavors. An easy 30-minute dinner the whole family will love-- and the leftovers make a mean meatloaf sandwich.

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You're going to love this

Fast, easy comfort food. Traditional meatloaf in a loaf pan takes almost an hour to cook. This easy meatloaf recipe comes together in about 30 minutes.

No special pans required. You don't need a loaf pan, mini loaf pan, or a muffin pan to make mini turkey meatloaf -- just a sheet pan.

Leftover meatloaf sandwiches. These mini meatloaves fit perfectly on a Costco artisan roll. Coincidence? I think not.

No ketchup. Ketchup adds an undeniable sweetness and nostalgic flavor to meatloaf. This meatloaf and glaze gets its sweet richness from tomato paste, maple syrup, and balsamic vinegar.

Ingredients

Ground turkey and Italian turkey sausage. I used 93% lean ground turkey because meatloaf made with ground meat that's too lean can become dry. The turkey sausage adds some fat and flavor to the meatloaf mix.

Oatmeal. Oatmeal acts as a binder in these mini turkey meatloaves. It also adds texture and helps keep it moist.

Parmesan cheese. Parmesan cheese adds the funky flavor meatloaf usually gets from Worcestershire sauce. It also acts as a binder.

Tomato paste. The rich flavor of tomato paste is one of the ingredients standing in for ketchup in both the meatloaf and the tomato glaze.

Maple syrup. Maple syrup brings the sweetness we crave from ketchup, without the processed sugar.

Dijon mustard. Prepared mustard is a pretty classic ingredient in meatloaf. Dijon mustard adds an extra tang.

Balsamic vinegar. Balsamic adds rich, meaty, umami flavor to this mini turkey meatloaf recipe as well as a touch of sweetness, without the usual brown sugar.

Substitutions

Ground turkey and Italian turkey sausage. You can use all ground turkey and add Italian seasoning to the mixture. Or use any lean meat like lean ground beef, pork, or chicken.

Oatmeal. You can use bread crumbs or crushed up crackers, croutons, or corn flakes as a binder in your meatloaf.

Parmesan cheese. Any cheese you love will work in this recipe.

Tomato paste + maple syrup. If you prefer ketchup, you can use that to swap out the tomato paste and maple syrup. If you're into spice, you can also add some hot pepper sauce to the mix.

Dijon mustard. Any type of mustard will taste delicious. You can also use dry mustard: Add 1 teaspoon of dry mustard + 2 teaspoons of water or vinegar per tablespoon of prepared mustard.

Fresh parsley. Fresh herbs add lots of flavor to this mini turkey meatloaf recipe. You can substitute dry parsley or any fresh herb you love in the meatloaf mix.

To substitute dry herbs for fresh, the rule of thumb is one teaspoon of dry for every tablespoon of fresh. To substitute the parsley garnish, you can use any fresh herb, chives, or green onions — or skip it altogether.

Onion. Shallots, leeks, or green onions are great onion substitutes. You can also use onion powder, but since the onions also add moisture, you may want to add another chopped vegetable like celery, green or red bell pepper, or carrots.

Minced garlic. You can use garlic powder instead of fresh garlic in this mini turkey meatloaf recipe.

Step-by-step instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 450. Cover a sheet pan with aluminum foil and spray it with cooking spray.

Step 2

Add all meatloaf mix ingredients to a large mixing bowl.

Mix everything together with your hands — just enough to combine all the ingredients. Be careful not to overwork the meatloaf mix or it can become dense and tough.

Step 3

Place the meatloaf mix onto the prepared sheet tray. Pat it evenly into a rectangle that is approximately 2 inches thick.

Step 4

In a small bowl, mix the glaze ingredients together. Spread it evenly over the meatloaf.

Using the dull edge of a butter knife or a wooden or silicone spatula, cut the meatloaf mixture into 8 equal mini meat loaves, being careful not to cut through the aluminum foil.

Spread the 8 mini loaves apart on the pan so they will not stick together when cooked.

Step 5

Cook for 18-20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165. Remove the mini meatloaves from the oven and let them rest for 10 minutes.

Top with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley.

Mini turkey meatloaves are even better the next day. Reheat in the microwave or 350-degree oven. Or eat them cold on a meatloaf sandwich!

Tips

Mix meatloaf with your hands. Overmixing the turkey mixture can result in tough and dense meatloaf. Gently mix it with your hands until everything is just combined.

Line the baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy clean-up.

Use a wooden or silicone spatula or dull side of a knife to cut the meatloaf into minis — this will keep you from cutting through the foil.

FAQs

How do you keep turkey meatloaf from falling apart?

The reason most turkey meatloaves fall apart is because there aren’t enough binding agents to hold everything together. That’s why it’s important to have egg and a starchy ingredient like oatmeal in meatloaf.

How do I make sure my meatloaf is moist?

For moist meatloaf, be sure to add plenty of moisture. In this recipe, the egg and all the liquid and saucy ingredients, like tomato paste, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, and balsamic vinegar, help keep the mini turkey meatloaf moist while also adding flavor.

How can you tell if meatloaf is done?

The best way to know the temperature of mini turkey meatloaf is to use an instant-read meat thermometer inserted into the center of the meatloaves. Ground turkey should be cooked until the thermometer registers 165. For more info, click here for the USDA internal temperature chart.

Storage, Make-Ahead & Freezing Instructions

Storage

Store leftover baked mini meatloaves in airtight containers in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Make Ahead

A day or two ahead of time, prepare the meatloaf through step 3, cover it tightly with plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator. Stir the glaze together and store it in a container in the refrigerator. Before baking, let the meatloaf and glaze come to room temperature. Apply the glaze, cut it into pieces, and bake.

Freeze Baked Mini Meatloaves

Allow the mini turkey meatloaf to cool completely. Place the loaves in an airtight container, or wrap them in plastic then place them in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to six months. Before reheating, let them thaw completely in the refrigerator. Reheat in a 350-degree oven or in the microwave until they reach 165 degrees.

Freeze Unbaked Meatloaf

Prepare the meatloaf through step 3. Wrap it in the foil, then plastic wrap, then place it in a jumbo freezer bag. Freeze it for up to 6 months. Before baking, let it thaw completely. Prepare and apply the glaze, cut it into pieces, and bake.

Sides for Meatloaf

Looking for easy recipes to serve with your mini turkey meatloaf? Make a complete meal with these sides for meatloaf.

Roasted Broccolini Salad just might turn around even the staunchest of broccoli haters.

Roasted Potatoes & Green Beans, a fast and easy side dish with a super flavorful tahini sauce.

Balsamic Glazed Carrots get sweet and tender as they simmer away in a cinnamon maple glaze.

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