Transform humble ground turkey into a super flavorful dish with this healthy turkey meatloaf! Savory Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and fresh garlic flavor every moist bite. To top it all off, a sauce made from freshly roasted tomatoes adds a vibrant, tangy twist that complements the meatloaf. This is not your average turkey recipe—it’s moist, flavor-packed and takes turkey meatloaf to the next level.
Learn More About Parmesan Turkey Meatloaf.
Why you will love this ground turkey recipe.
It is flavorful. A good amount of freshly grated parmesan is added to the ground turkey, along with sauteed garlic and onion, fresh parsley, and Italian seasoning. Wow–flavor right there.
Baking this meatloaf on a baking sheet pan allows for the loaf to brown nicely which provides extra flavor and saves time.
It is moist. A panade of bread crumbs and milk, along with an egg are key to a moist turkey meat loaf. Find out more about the science of panade here.
Gently mixing the ground turkey with the panade mixture and Parmesan/seasoning mixture, results in a tender and moist meatloaf.
It is healthy. Ground turkey is high in protein and tends to be lean. Adding fresh ingredients like garlic, onion, and parsley adds flavor with nutrition. The tomato topping adds extra nutrition without extra sugar.
It is easy. After using the tips in this post to ensure a moist and tender meat loaf, all you do is combine the ingredients in a bowl, form into a loaf, and bake.
Tips for making Healthy Parmesan Turkey Meatloaf.
Tips for moist ground turkey recipes.
Ground turkey is lean, adding ingredients like sautéed onions and garlic keep it moist.
For this ground turkey recipe, a panade is made by soaking the breadcrumbs in milk and plays a crucial role in enhancing the texture and flavor of the meatloaf.
Without a panade, meatloaf can easily become dense and dry, which highlights the importance of this simple yet effective ingredient.
Gentle mixing of the ingredients into the turkey is key, as it helps maintain a light and tender texture.
Baking at 350F allows the meatloaf to cook through evenly without drying out.
Overcooking can dry out the meatloaf. The recommended temperature for baked ground turkey is 165°F (74°C) for safety.
Resting the meatloaf for 5 minutes after baking helps redistribute the juices and makes for easier slicing.
Tips for flavorful and healthy turkey meatloaf.
Flavor from the inside out. Use garlic, onion, Italian herbs, parsley, and spices to flavor the turkey.
Adding Parmesan cheese to the mix brings richness and savory depth.
Baking turkey meatloaf on a sheet pan is a fantastic way to achieve even cooking and a beautifully browned exterior, adding flavor.
Healthy Turkey Parmesan Meatloaf
Savory Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and fresh garlic flavor every moist bite. A vibrant sauce made from freshly roasted tomatoes complements this healthy turkey meatloaf.
5
servings20
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Ingredients
1 pound ground turkey (85% or 95% lean)
2 Tablespoons olive oil or butter
1/2 cup finely chopped onion (1 medium onion)
1 l arge clove of garlic, finely minced or pressed
1/4 cup unseasoned bread crumbs
1/4 cup milk
1 egg
1/3 cup (a little over 5 Tablespoons) finely grated Parmesan
2 Tablespoons finely chopped parsley (add extra for garnish)
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt
- Roasted tomato sauce
1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes (about half a pint)
1 Tablespoon olive oil
Pinch of salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning
1/2 cup tomato sauce
1 Tablespoon brown sugar (optional)
Additional parmesan and/or a handful of fresh shredded mozzarella
finely chopped parsley for garnish
Directions
- For tomato topping. Preheat oven to 425F. Slice tomatoes into halves or quarters. On a small sheet pan, add the sliced tomatoes, olive oil, salt, and Italian seasoning and toss to coat. Roast on lower rack at 425F for 25 minutes while preparing meatloaf.
- Add butter (flavor!) or olive oil to a small sauté pan over medium heat for about 3 minutes. Add the onions and sauté for about 7 minutes, until soft and translucent and just starting to brown. Add in garlic and stir for a minute. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly before adding to recipe.
- While onions are cooking, add bread crumbs to a medium sized bowl and stir in milk. Allow to sit for a few minutes until the milk is absorbed. Beat an egg in a small bowl and add to the bread crumb mixture, along with parmesan, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, parsley and slightly cooled onion/garlic mixture. Stir until thoroughly combined. Add turkey meat, turning over to cover both sides of the ground turkey, then fold the ingredients gently to combine. Do not over mix.
- Reduce oven temperature to 350F. Prepare a baking pan with parchment paper. Or, lightly grease a sheet pan. Form the turkey mixture into a loaf directly on the pan. Place in oven and bake for about 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and add the tomato topping and cheese and place in the oven for another 10-15 minutes until the loaf is just at 165F. Feel free to broil the meatloaf the last few minutes of baking, but watch carefully and check the temperature.
- This recipe has typically reached 165F in about 30-35 minutes which is the temperature ground turkey is safely cooked. Always allow the meatloaf to rest at least 5 minutes before cutting to allow the juices to redistribute throughout the loaf, resulting in a more moist and tender texture.
- Garnish with additional Parmesan cheese and parsley.
Notes
- As mentioned in recipe tips, for moist and tender meatloaf: (1) do not overmix the batter when incorporating the ingredients into the ground turkey; (2) bake just until the meatloaf reaches 165F; (3) allow the cooked turkey meatloaf rest for 5 minutes before slicing to redistribute the juices and allow the meatloaf to come to a safe temperature.
- Feel free to use your favorite tomato sauce as a topping. Fresh grated mozzarella would be great on top of this loaf.
- Serve this meatloaf with a salad and your favorite vegetable. Check out Pan-Charred Broccoli or Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts.
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