In case you were wondering what I served that Cream of Roasted Tomato & Rice Soup with, this is it. I discovered Ina Garten’s fabulous Turkey Meatloaf recipe many years ago in her first book, The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook, and it immediately became a family favorite.
There are a lot of things that I love about this recipe, the first being that is absolutely delicious. The onions in it are sauteed to release their sweetness and then mixed with the other seasonings before being added to the ground turkey. This yields an end product that is incredibly moist and flavorful. I also love the fact that this recipe makes a huge meatloaf. Sure, five pounds of meat is a lot, but you end up with enough for several meals, plus enough to share. Leftover meatloaf is very versatile. You can do just about anything with it. Plus, it’s really nice to have in the fridge for those busy weeknights when you don’t have a lot of time to spare.
The first day I made this, we ate it straight up with mashed potatoes and some zucchini. The next day, I served it in big, fat, grilled sandwiches topped with melted mozzarella along with my tomato soup. After that, I chopped some up and stuffed some baked potatoes with it. (I wish I had thought to take some pictures of that!) Finally, I crumbled the last of it up in some mac & cheese. (Yes, it was from a box. And no, I don’t feel a bit guilty about it!)
So, if your life often gets a little hectic and crazy like mine does, make Ina’s big, honkin’ Turkey Meatloaf on a Sunday afternoon. Your family will eat like kings for the rest of the week, and you might even find a little time to sit back and put your feet up!
Turkey Meatloaf
from The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook, by Ina Garten
Ingredients:
3 cups chopped yellow onions (2 large onions)
2 tablespoons good olive oil
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (1/2 teaspoon dried)
1/3 cup Worcestershire sauce
3/4 cup chicken stock
1 1/2 teaspoons tomato paste
5 pounds ground turkey breast
1 1/2 cups plain dry bread crumbs
3 extra-large eggs, beaten
3/4 cup ketchup
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
- In a medium saute pan, over medium-low heat, cook the onions, olive oil, salt, pepper, and thyme until translucent, but not browned, approximately 15 minutes. Add the Worcestershire sauce, chicken stock, and tomato paste and mix well. Allow to cool to room temperature.
- Combine the ground turkey, bread crumbs, eggs, and onion mixture in a large bowl. Mix well and shape into a rectangular loaf on an ungreased sheet pan. Spread the ketchup evenly on top. Bake for 1 1/2 hours until the internal temperature is 160 degrees F. and the meatloaf is cooked through. (A pan of hot water in the oven under the meatloaf will keep the top from cracking.) Serve hot, at room temperature, or cold in a sandwich.
If you like this recipe, you might also enjoy these from the SGCC archives:
Stuffed Jacket Potatoes with Shepherd’s Pie Filling
And, here are some other great meatloaf recipes from around the blogs:
Moroccan Meatloaf from Simply Recipes
Gluten-free Maple-Apricot Glazed Meatloaf from Karina’s Kitchen
Meatloaf Cupcakes with Mashed Potato Frosting from Fine Furious Life
Kalyn’s Best Meatloaf from Kalyn’s Kitchen
Turkey Meatloaf with Fig Gravy from The Perfect Pantry
Filed Under: Chicken and Poultry, Cooking, Recipes, Sandwiches
Serious Eats Coins National Meatloaf Day (Meatloaf Involtini)
Meatloaf Cupcakes Recipe
On February 12, 2009 at 10:06am, The Food Hunter said...
I love meatloaf. I’ll have to give this recipe a try. That sandwich looks so good.
On February 12, 2009 at 10:32am, Steph said...
Now that’s a sandwich!!
On February 12, 2009 at 10:53am, Ingrid said...
Last Monday I made a meatloaf (beef) and to kick it up I sauted onions, green peppers, & garlic to added to the meat mixture. My family loved it. I'm glad to have read your post, I did something right all on my own without a recipe though I'm gonna give yours a try as I don't like ground beef. Thank you also for the tips on how to use the left overs!!
Btw, LOVED that first photo.
~ingrid
On February 12, 2009 at 11:02am, Manggy said...
Oh, it’s been a good age since I had meatloaf- the salivation’s starting again! I think I saw a show where she made individual mini-loafs. Still looked huge to be though. 😛
On February 12, 2009 at 11:03am, Manggy said...
loaVes, loaVes! I’m not dumb 😛
On February 12, 2009 at 11:35am, Mara from Motherofalltrips said...
My family loves this recipe too - and note that it freezes well.
I’ve also made it and instead of topping it with ketchup, have used the recipe for barbeque sauce from the same cookbook. It’s fab.
On February 12, 2009 at 12:41pm, Cindy Ruth said...
That looks so good! I haven’t made meatloaf in years, and I do love leftover meatloaf sandwiches.
On February 12, 2009 at 2:03pm, Rosa's Yummy Yums said...
Wow, that’s a scrumptious sandwich! A wonderful recipe!
Cheers,
Rosa
On February 12, 2009 at 2:18pm, 5 Star Foodie said...
I love the picture of the meatloaf sandwich! Yummy!
On February 12, 2009 at 3:39pm, Debbie said...
Ive never used turkey in a meatloaf before. It looks absolutely delicious. I have to try this sometime.
On February 12, 2009 at 3:44pm, noble pig said...
There is nothing more satisfying than a meatloaf sandwich. I love the idea that it’s made with turkey.
On February 12, 2009 at 4:53pm, Lisa@The Cutting Edge of Ordinary said...
I make Inas meatloaf all the time and we all love it in my house! Great photos!
On February 12, 2009 at 7:54pm, Kevin said...
That meatloaf looks good. I really like the sound of a meatloaf sandwich!
On February 12, 2009 at 9:16pm, Nina Timm said...
I asked my mom over the weekend if she has a good meatloaf recipe and sadly she didn’t. I am so happy that I found this…..and I like the fact that it is good for a couple of meals.
On February 12, 2009 at 9:17pm, MaryBeth said...
I love meat loaf and I especially love making it out of turkey..yours looks wonderful.
On February 13, 2009 at 5:10am, pigpigscorner said...
I’ve naver made meatloaf but it sure does look and sound delicious!
On February 13, 2009 at 8:29am, Lydia (The Perfect Pantry) said...
Barefoot Contessa comes through again! I love her meatloaf, though I usually cut the recipe in half (and it still makes a lot). Thanks for linking to my recipe, too — I don’t think you can ever have too many turkey meatloaf variations in your repertoire!
On February 13, 2009 at 10:37am, Corey - 2 Equal Parts said...
I’ve recently become a fan of Barefoot Contessa, and this recipe looks so good.
I usually do a half spicy sausage and half beef meet loaf, this looks like a nice alternative.
On February 13, 2009 at 10:41am, CookiePie said...
Oooooh - that looks so satisfying!!!
On February 13, 2009 at 11:35am, Sara said...
I have made this Ina recipe as well, it’s excellent. I like to form them into mini meatloaves so I can freeze the extras uncooked for another night.
On February 13, 2009 at 1:37pm, Colleen said...
This looks really good - I love turkey meatloaf! And I love that you made a sandwich out of it!
On February 13, 2009 at 3:35pm, The Duo Dishes said...
Ina gets it right each and every time.
On February 13, 2009 at 9:45pm, Patsyk said...
I love a recipe that can make the next few nights meals so easy! Marking this one to try soon, to see if I can get my boys to eat meatloaf!
On February 14, 2009 at 1:47am, Cakelaw said...
I do like the idea of leftover meatloaf on a sandwich - your meatloafsandwich up the top looks very hearty.
On February 14, 2009 at 11:36am, Grace said...
meatloaf sandwich? good gracious, what an idea. like a meatball sub, but less messy and probably more delicious. marvelous.
On February 15, 2009 at 8:28pm, Meg said...
Looks delicious!
On February 16, 2009 at 7:08am, Maryann said...
I love meatloaf sandwiches. I haven’t made it in ages. Must do
On February 16, 2009 at 11:02am, Bellini Valli said...
I love a good meatloaf sandwich and I love that this one from Ina is heart healthy too.
On February 16, 2009 at 7:49pm, Marc @ NoRecipes said...
Susan, that meatloaf looks amazing! I actually have that cookbook and don’t think I’ve ever seen/made it. I’ll have to go dust it off and try it sometime.
I’m also a big fan of all that can be done with meatloaf leftovers. Meatloaf is also great chopped into big chunks in a “stew”.
On February 17, 2009 at 7:53am, HoneyB said...
This looks so delicious and I love how you have it sandwiched!!
On February 17, 2009 at 11:15am, AmyRuth said...
I may just make this meatloaf for dinner tonight. Sounds good. How is your recovery coming along? Hope you’re getting stronger each day.
AmyRuth
On February 17, 2009 at 4:49pm, megan (brooklyn farmhouse) said...
That sandwich looks amazing! I love meatloaf - thanks for the recipe!
On February 21, 2009 at 7:10pm, Reeni♥ said...
The sandwich is enough to convince me! Delicious!
On February 21, 2009 at 8:57pm, Obsessive Foodie or Food Addict....You Decide said...
I have not tried this recipe. I love meatloaf sammies and had them tonight with carmelized onions on cheddar jalapeno bread. I absolutely abhore ground turkey…..I dont’ know why. I can’t get on the ground turkey bandwagon….I hate turkey chili, turkey burgers etc. I know, I know.
On October 12, 2009 at 12:22pm, TheRoosterChick said...
I serve meatloaf at least once a month, hubs loves the stuff. I’ll have to give this recipe a try.
On January 18, 2010 at 5:31pm, Anne said...
It’s in the oven! I can’t wait to try it.
On March 25, 2010 at 10:54pm, Robin said...
This is the best meatloaf recipe I have ever tried! My husband absolutely loves it. It is going in my permanent recipe stash. Thank you!
On January 29, 2013 at 6:52pm, DENA said...
This recipe looks amazing! My only issue is that it requires 5lbs of meat. I don’t eat meat and I would make this for my 10 year old daughter. Is there a way to scale the measurments down for 1lb of meat? I’m sure it’s very simple to do, but I’m not the best at tweeking recipes unless it’s a baking recipe. Please Help!!
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On September 23, 2015 at 4:31pm, タカショー「G-Story ハンドホーキ」[約Ｗ130×Ｄ30×Ｈ250ｍｍ]ガーデニングにピ said...
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で良い仕事。