Easy Homemade Turkey Meatloaf

Introduction

When you need a nourishing and satisfying dinner that comes together with minimal fuss, this Easy Homemade Turkey Meatloaf hits the mark. Boasting incredible flavor, tender texture, and a lighter profile than its beef counterpart, it’s a dependable weeknight winner and perfect for anyone looking to enjoy classic comfort food without the heaviness.

Why This Easy Homemade Turkey Meatloaf Is a Dinner Hero

This turkey meatloaf recipe is beloved for its simplicity and versatility. Featuring juicy ground turkey, aromatic vegetables, and a tangy ketchup glaze, each bite packs in savory, well-rounded flavor. Plus, leftovers make excellent sandwiches for lunch, so it’s a double win for meal planners!

Choosing the Right Ingredients for Moist Turkey Meatloaf

The key to moist turkey meatloaf is combining lean ground turkey with a mix of finely chopped onions, garlic, and a splash of milk to keep the texture juicy—not dry. A bit of Worcestershire sauce adds umami, while breadcrumbs help bind everything together for flawless slicing. The classic ketchup topping caramelizes beautifully in the oven, adding a sweet-savory finish.

Assembling and Baking Your Meatloaf

Simply mix the ingredients gently so the meatloaf stays tender, then shape the mixture into a loaf and slather on the ketchup glaze. Baking on a lined sheet instead of a loaf pan gives all sides a slight crust, boosting both flavor and texture. Serve thick slices with mashed potatoes or steamed veggies for a complete meal.

Serving Suggestions for Easy Turkey Meatloaf

Consider pairing your homemade turkey meatloaf with roasted potatoes, buttered green beans, or a crisp garden salad to round out dinner. For a comforting touch, spoon a bit of extra glaze over each slice and garnish with fresh parsley or even sautéed mushrooms.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe serves 6 people, with each portion containing roughly 230–260 calories. Turkey meatloaf offers lean protein and is lower in fat than traditional versions—a healthy, hearty main for the whole family.

Easy Homemade Turkey Meatloaf (Recap)

With its flavorful profile and lighter nutrition, this easy turkey meatloaf is a staple you’ll return to again and again. The crowd-pleasing taste and easy prep make it ideal for weeknight dinners and planned leftovers.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with every ingredient sorted by grocery store aisle—making your next meal plan seamless and stress-free!

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease a loaf pan.
2. In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, chopped onion, garlic, parsley (if using), milk, egg, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Add 1/4 cup ketchup and mix gently just until combined (overmixing can make meatloaf tough).
3. Shape the mixture into a loaf (about 8×4 inches) on the prepared baking sheet or press into the loaf pan.
4. In a small bowl, stir together the remaining 1/4 cup ketchup, mustard, and brown sugar. Spread this glaze evenly over the top of the meatloaf.
5. Bake for 45–50 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
6. Garnish with extra parsley if desired and serve hot. Enjoy leftovers as sandwiches or crumbled in wraps!

Weekly Meal Planning

This meatloaf is a perfect make-ahead option for busy weeks—it reheats beautifully and tastes great the next day! Save and schedule this recipe in your CookifyAI meal planner to easily organize your dinners and automatically generate a streamlined shopping list.

Planning Benefits:

• Automatically aggregates ingredient amounts if you add meatloaf and other recipes to your week
• Sorts shopping list by grocery store section for fast, efficient trips
• Minimizes duplicate purchases and helps you remember every ingredient
• Lets you adjust serving sizes and leftovers to fit your meal plans

Pro tip: If you pair this meatloaf with other meals using similar ingredients (like breadcrumbs or eggs), the shopping list will combine quantities for you, cutting down on waste and saving money! Try scheduling your week for seamless meal prep and smarter shopping.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45–50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes