Meatloaf – It’s What’s for Dinner

It’s sad, I know. I take a long hiatus from blogging and then make my comeback with a meatloaf recipe. I’d be disappointed too if I were one of you readers … until I tasted said meatloaf. Then I’d be A-OK because this isn’t your average meatloaf. Think creamy goat cheese, heavy garlic, sun-dried tomatoes and turkey. Pretty fancy, huh? Not to mention it’s way tastier than your typical ground-chuck-and-loads-of-ketchup recipe (although I personally have nothing against that classic).

My husband & I received a Giada de Laurentiis cookbook for a wedding gift and it was one of those wedding gifts you didn’t register for but you were darn happy to get … because let’s face it, that lady can cook. After making her meatloaf recipe several times and each time changing a little something up (not because it needed it – only because I like to make things harder on myself), I finally came up with what I think is the absolute perfect twist to plain old-fashioned meatloaf.

FANCY MEATLOAF (serves 4, or 2 depending on how hungry you are)

 INGREDIENTS

• olive oil cooking spray
• 1/2 cup 4C gluten-free plain bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup parsley, chopped
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1/4 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• red pepper flakes, just a pinch
• 1 pound ground turkey

 DIRECTIONS 

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Spray 9×5 loaf pan with cooking spray.
• Stir together bread crumbs, parsley, onion, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, eggs, olive oil, goat cheese, salt, black pepper & red pepper.
• Add turkey and gently stir to combine.
• Pack meat mixture into loaf pan (it will only fill pan about 1/2 way, as seen below).

• Bake for about 40-45 minutes (internal temp should register 165 F).
• Let meatloaf rest for about 5 minutes before slicing and diving in!

I’d love to hear your thoughts if you end up making this … I need to know I’m not alone in my meatloaf obsession (weird, I know). Have a great week ahead!