Mini Turkey Meatloaves

I don't know about you but I ate a TON this past weekend. My holiday binge was epic. So many delicious dishes and lots of desserts, nuts, chocolates and glasses of wine. The best way to recover from this sort of gluttony is to spend some time making some filling and healthy things to keep in the fridge for when you get hungry. Meatloaf is a delicious comfort food, and turkey  meatloaf is a fabulous way to keep it light. However, sometimes turkey meatloaf can get really dry and coarse. This recipe combines lots of healthy veggies with lean turkey breast for a protein packed and comforting dish.

You can obviously bake this in a loaf pan, but its faster and simpler to just use muffin tins. It cuts down on baking time and makes fabulous single servings. I decided to use my square muffin tin, but feel free to use what you've got. Mini muffin meatloaves would be a great party appetizer!

Read more for the full recipe!
Read more »

Meatloaf

Meatloaf is one of those foods you tend to forget is amazingly delicious. I hadn't had meatloaf in years and this weekend, we were out and saw it served at a restaurant. It looked so amazing I had to go home and whip some up the next day. Normally, I make some variation of turkey/chicken meatloaf with quinoa and flaxseed and lots of healthy things. Not today. Today is about tasty comfort.

There are many secrets to amazing meatloaf, I definitely do not know them all. My basic rules are: 1) do not overmix the meat, just lightly combine all the ingredients; 2) bake at 375 max, higher temperatures dry out the meat; 3) do not use a loaf pan, free form meatloaf is crisper and cooks more evenly; and 4) use a variety of veggies and herbs to mix in, not just breadcrumbs. Some people swear by zucchini in their meatloaf, but I like to keep it basic. I do, however, insist on adding some grated parmesan and fresh parsley, which together compliment the meat and elevate the flavors. Also, if you have a meat thermometer, use it to get the cooking time just right.

So... are you hungry yet? Read more to get the full recipe!
Read more »