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Cast Iron Skillet Turkey Meatloaf

/December 19, 2016/ Leave a comment

It seems that we are always looking for a recipe that is full of flavor but not full of calories, and this turkey meatloaf fits the bill completely. Using ground turkey, sneaking in some spinach, and adding fresh herbs makes this dinner glorious and guilt free. While there is some fat in the dairy products and oil, this is an overall healthy meal in a delicious meatloaf package!

Meatloaf was never my idea of a yummy dinner as a child, but as I got older I started developing a taste for it. There are so many different variations of meatloaf (beef being the classic), and when I made this turkey meatloaf it immediately turned into my go-to version of this dish.

I use a 10” cast iron skillet for this recipe, and there is no beating it. The cast iron gives you a great crust on the bottom and sides of the turkey meatloaf, and distributes the heat consistently for even cooking. If you do not have a cast iron skillet, you can make this meatloaf in an 8×10 baking dish. It takes over an hour to bake, but I promise it is worth it!

Turkey Meatloaf

Makes 8 Servings

Time: 15 minutes prep, 1 hour 30 minutes bake

Meatloaf:
3 lb. ground turkey
2 tbsp. oil
1 large onion, chopped
11 oz. baby spinach
2 tbsp. water
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
2 eggs, beaten
½ cup milk
½ cup parmigiano reggiano
1.5 tsp. fresh basil, chopped
1 tsp. parsley, chopped
1 tsp. apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp. sriracha
¼ tsp. garlic powder
1 ½ tsp salt
½ tsp. pepper
Sauce:
¾ cup Sweet Baby Rays BBQ sauce (or any kind you like)
¾ cup ketchup

1.

Preheat oven to 350°.

2.

Place spinach and water in microwave safe bowl.

3.

Cover and microwave in 45 second increments, tossing after each 45 seconds, until spinach is mostly wilted.

This took about a total of 3 or 4 minutes. Depending on the size of your bowl, this may need to be done in two batches. If they have steam-in-bag spinach at your grocery store, I suggest buying those.

4.

When mostly wilted, put spinach in paper towel and squeeze as much liquid out as you can. Be careful, the spinach may be hot!

5.

Place drained spinach on cutting board and roughly chop. Add chopped spinach to a large bowl.

6.

Heat oil in cast iron skillet on medium high heat.

7.

Add onions, a pinch of salt and a pinch of pepper, and sauté for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.

8.

Lower heat to medium, and cook for another 4 minutes, stirring occasionally until slightly tender and translucent.

9.

Remove from heat and add to bowl with spinach.

10.

To bowl of onions and spinach, add: basil, parsley, garlic powder, panko, milk, cheese, beaten eggs, vinegar, sriracha, salt, and pepper. Mix until barely combined

11.

Add ground turkey and mix until thoroughly combined.

12.

Add meatloaf mixture to cast iron skillet, and spread evenly into pan.

13.

Mix BBQ sauce and ketchup in a bowl. Pour over meatloaf mixture and spread evenly.

You can use as much or as little sauce as you like. You can even save some to have on the side with the meatloaf later.

14.

Bake for 1.5 hours. Remove from oven, let meatloaf rest for 5 minutes.

15.

Cut and serve!
Cast Iron Meatloaf Spinach Turkey

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