If you ask me, meatloaf is one of the most underrated dinner ideas. Try these 12 Easy Meatloaf Recipes made with juicy ground turkey or lean beef and flavorful ingredients for your next family dinner.
The Healthiest Homemade Meatloaf Recipes
If you need some weeknight dinner ideas, there’s lots of inspiration here. Most of us have memories of meatloaf growing up (for better or worse!). Gone are the days of dry, flavorless meatloaf, or recipes loaded with saturated fats and sugared-up sauces. Homemade meatloaf is a wonderful way to pack in tons of lean protein, healthy vegetables, and your favorite flavors into one recipe – if you know where to start.
While many traditional meatloaf recipes might be lacking in the nutrition department, I’m sharing some of my best flavor-packed variations that are perfectly suited to a balanced diet. By trading some or all of the ground beef for leaner ground turkey, and carb-heavy fillers for veggies, you can easily cut down on added fats and calories in your favorite meatloaf recipes.
These recipes are ready to walk you through it. Just whip together the ingredients, shape, and bake. It’s that easy, and you’ll never think of meatloaf the same way again.
What Is the Secret to Moist Meatloaf?
Before we get into my favorite meatloaf recipes, here are some easy tips for making meatloaf that’s moist and tender rather than dense and dry:
- Don’t Overwork the Meat: Make sure to combine the ingredients well, but don’t overwork your meat mixture. The best way to mix is to use your hands.
- Add Veggies: Vegetables hold a lot of moisture. Adding grated zucchini, sweet potato or carrots to your meatloaf can help to keep them tender and juicy.
- Add Sauces: Mixing in extra condiments like tomato paste, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce not only adds flavor but keeps the meatloaf moist.
How Can I Add Flavor to My Meatloaf?
Sure, there’s always salt and pepper. But don’t overlook to the potential for other spices, herbs, and seasoning blends to enhance the flavors of your meatloaf recipes. Fresh herbs like garlic, thyme, parsley, and coriander can work wonders. Then there are sauces and condiments: try adding a few dashes of Worcestershire sauce, a spoonful of ketchup or mustard, BBQ sauce, or even harissa paste for even more depth of flavor.
What Ingredient Keeps Meatloaf From Falling Apart
To hold your meatloaf together, you will need some type of binder. I use everything from oatmeal, breadcrumbs, gluten-free panko and even mashed sweet potato.
12 Best Meatloaf Recipes to Make Tonight
Who’s ready to level up some good old-fashioned meatloaf? Try these easy recipes made from lean, healthy ingredients.
1. The Best Turkey Meatloaf Recipe
My go-to homemade meatloaf recipe! I’ll never get bored of my best-ever, healthy turkey meatloaf topped with tangy Worcestershire ketchup. It’s easy to make with juicy ground turkey, aromatic onions, eggs, and breadcrumbs, and always delicious.
2. Enchilada Turkey Meatloaf
This easy and cheesy turkey meatloaf embraces all the beloved flavors of a classic Mexican-style enchilada. It’s filled with sweet corn, black beans, cilantro, and green chilies, smothered with enchilada sauce and melty cheese.
3. Meatloaf and Brown Gravy
This classic meatloaf recipe drizzled with brown gravy always serves up cozy dinner vibes. Made with a mix of ground beef, ground turkey, and nutritious oats, it’s the ultimate comfort food that’s good for you, too.
4. Turkey Meatloaf with Zucchini
This juicy turkey meatloaf is packed with healthy zucchini. Not only do the extra veggies make this recipe ultra-moist and tender, but it also loads it up with additional vitamins and nutrients. Serve these slices with your favorite sides.
5. Sweet Potato Turkey Meatloaf
My sweet potato turkey meatloaf ticks all the boxes: it’s gluten-free, dairy-free, easy, and healthy. What’s not to love? Try this fun spin on classic turkey meatloaf made with vitamin-rich, high-fiber sweet potatoes in place of breadcrumbs.
6. Cheese Stuffed Turkey Meatloaf Recipe
If there’s one way to make a juicy homemade meatloaf that much better, it’s to fill it with melted cheese. This satisfying recipe is stuffed with cheddar and spinach, then rolled into a savory loaf that’s super tender and full of flavor.
7. Campfire Dinner Meatloaf Foil Packets
We’ll make these aluminum foil packets when we go camping, or any other time we’re craving an easy all-in-one dinner. Made with succulent turkey meatloaf topped with BBQ sauce, cooked in foil with an easy vegetable succotash.
10. Skillet Harissa Turkey Meatloaf
Give your meatloaf some Moroccan flair with this delicious 30-minute skillet dinner idea. Zesty harissa sauce gets worked into the meat and smothered over top for a flavorful, moist meatloaf that my family always loves.
How To Store
Many meatloaf recipes are wonderful to make ahead and keep well for days when properly stored. Keep your leftover meatloaf airtight in the refrigerator, and reheat it either in the oven or microwave. We’ll even enjoy our leftovers cold in meatloaf sandwiches. Meatloaf can be refrigerated up to 4 days or frozen up to 3 months in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap.
Craving More Weeknight Dinner Ideas?
If you grew up eating homemade meatloaf, I hope you’ll love these healthy recipes as much as I do. For more easy dinner ideas, check out my recipe finder. I have loads more recipes to share!