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I love how these Mini Turkey Meatloaves are flavor-packed little entrees, filled with gooey cheese and topped with a tangy ketchup mixture. This kid-friendly dinner idea might just be your new favorite recipe! I find it’s a quick and easy dinner that always hits the spot and can be served with any of my favorite side dishes.
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Pin ItMini Turkey Meatloaves Recipe
Juicy turkey meatloaf that’s perfectly portioned for each plate, stuffed with cheese, and topped with the most mouthwatering ketchup mixture? Count me in! This family favorite dinner recipe is so easy to make and is guaranteed to satisfy every hungry belly gathered around my table.
This cheese-stuffed turkey meatloaf recipe comes together in just a few hassle-free steps with simple ingredients. Plus, you can plate it with just about any side dish you like! It’s a flexible entree that’s delicious and packed with protein. If you’re anything like me, you’re always trying to sneak some protein onto your little one’s plate!
Mini Turkey Meatloaves Recipe
Equipment
- Baking Sheet
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter (⅛ stick)
- ½ cup diced onion
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 lb. ground turkey beef or chicken also work
- 1 large egg lightly beaten
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning store-bought, homemade, or try Creole or chili seasoning
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ¾ cup finely crushed cheese crackers such as Cheez-It
- 4 oz. shredded or cubed cheese divided, pepper Jack, cheddar, or mozzarella also work
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp yellow mustard Dijon also works
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spray lightly with nonstick spray. Set aside.
- Heat the butter in a medium skillet set over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic and cook for 5 minutes, until onions soften. Cool slightly.1 tbsp unsalted butter, ½ cup diced onion, 3 cloves garlic
- In a large bowl, combine onion mixture with ground turkey and next 6 ingredients (through cheese crackers) Use your hands to mix thoroughly, but be careful not to overmix.1 lb. ground turkey, 1 large egg, ¼ cup milk, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, ½ tsp kosher salt, ¾ cup finely crushed cheese crackers
- Form mixture into 4 equal balls. Flatten each ball and place 1 ounce of cheese in the center. Pinch the edges to fully surround the cheese with the turkey mixture. Place loaves on the prepared baking sheet.4 oz. shredded or cubed cheese
- In a small bowl, whisk the ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard together.¼ cup ketchup, 1 tsp brown sugar, 1 tsp yellow mustard
- Brush the top of each “loaf” with ketchup mixture.
- Bake for 60 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 160°F.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this? Leave a comment!
How to Make Mini Turkey Meatloaves Step by Step
Prepare oven and baking sheet: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spray the parchment lightly with nonstick spray. Set aside.
Cook the onions and garlic: Heat 1 tbsp of butter in a medium skillet over medium heat, and then add ½ cup of onions and 3 cloves of garlic. Cook for 5 minutes so the onions soften. Cool slightly.
Make the meatloaves: In a large bowl, combine the onion mixture with 1 lb. of ground turkey, 1 large egg, ¼ cup milk, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, ½ tsp kosher salt, and ¾ cup finely crushed cheese crackers. Using your hands, mix thoroughly but do not overmix.
Shape the mixture into 4 equal balls, flatten each one, and place 1 oz. of cheese in the center. Pinch the edges to fully seal the cheese inside. Place the loaves on the prepared baking sheet.
Make the topping: Whisk ¼ cup ketchup, 1 tsp brown sugar, and 1 tsp yellow mustard together in a small bowl.
Brush and bake: Brush the top of each “loaf” with ketchup mixture. Bake the loaves for 60 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
Serve: Serve with your favorite side and enjoy.
How to Store
You can shape these meatloaves and place them on a baking sheet (without the ketchup mixture) covered with plastic wrap for up to 1 day. Brush with ketchup and bake, adding up to 5 extra minutes to the bake time to make up for the cold start.
Store leftover turkey meatloaves in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or in the oven.
Freeze mini turkey meatloaves tightly wrapped in 2 layers of plastic wrap and 1 layer of aluminum foil for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Serving Suggestions
I love serving this 15 minute mac and cheese alongside these meatloaves. Or, if I’m thinking we need something green, this broccoli cheese casserole or cheesy crispy baked green beans will fit the bill. My kids also love it when I make creamy mashed potatoes with these meatloaves.
These look delicious! Do you think I could use Goldfish crackers instead of the Cheez-Its?
It could work!