Turkey pesto meatloaf (so darn good!)

ashthecat15
ashthecat15 Posts: 190 Member
http://www.kalynskitchen.com/2012/02/turkey-pesto-meatloaf-recipe-with.html

The best meatloaf I've ever had. I used a 93/7 lean ground turkey. I like to make 2 small meatloaves, and eat 1/2 of one. That serving size comes out to 454 calories per serving. I'm still in my happy place after eating it!



Turkey Pesto Meatloaf with Tomato Sauce
(Makes 4-6 servings, or about 8 slices of meatloaf; recipe adapted from Turkey Pesto Meatloaf at Culinate.)

Ingredients:
2 tsp. olive oil
1 onion, finely diced
1 T finely minced garlic
1 1/2 lbs. lean ground turkey (use ground turkey with less than 10% fat for South Beach Diet)
1/4 cup basil pesto (I used my homemade Basil Pesto with Lemon, but good quality purchased pesto will be fine.)
2 T finely grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 cup 100% whole wheat breadcrumbs (make in the food processor from 100% whole wheat bread if you can't find whole wheat breadcrumbs)
1/4 cup low-sugar marinara sauce (I used Classico tomato and basil sauce)
2 tsp. balsamic vinegar

Instructions:
Take the turkey out of the fridge and let it come to room temperature while you prep the other ingredients. Preheat oven to 350F/180C. Spray a roasting pan with olive oil or nonstick spray (preferably a pan with some slits to let any extra fat drip out.)

Heat the olive oil in a frying pan and saute the onion with medium-high heat until it's starting to slightly brown, about 7-8 minutes. Add the garlic, lower heat slightly, and saute about 2 minutes more.

Using a bowl that's large enough to get both hands into it, combine the ground turkey, sauteed onion and garlic, pesto, Parmesan cheese, salt, and whole wheat breadcrumbs. Use clean hands to mix the ingredients, just until they are combined.

Form the mixture into a loaf shape and place on the roasting pan. I like to use a butter knife to make diagonal slits into the top of the meatloaf, but that's optional.

Bake meatloaf for 40 minutes. While it bakes, stir together the marinara sauce and balsamic vinegar and after 40 minutes use a pastry brush to brush it onto the meatloaf, until it's completely covered with sauce. Continue to bake, brushing with more sauce a few more times if you have some left, until a meat thermometer shows a temperature of 160F/71C. I cooked my meatloaf for a total time of one hour and twenty minutes before it got to that temperature. Serve hot.

This freezes well. For best results, thaw in the fridge before reheating.

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Replies

  • skinnyb05
    skinnyb05 Posts: 87 Member
    I'm not a fan of ground turkey, but this sounds good, will have to try. Thanks for posting!
  • ashthecat15
    ashthecat15 Posts: 190 Member
    I'm not a fan of ground turkey, but this sounds good, will have to try. Thanks for posting!

    It's really incredible. Mmm... I'm still thinking about it. Lol
  • _Terrapin_
    _Terrapin_ Posts: 4,301 Member
    Turkey and. . . . pesto?!? Seriously?!?

    And this taste good? I may try this. . .some day, not today, but some day.
  • ashthecat15
    ashthecat15 Posts: 190 Member
    Turkey and. . . . pesto?!? Seriously?!?

    And this taste good? I may try this. . .some day, not today, but some day.

    It's really good. Especially the outside crusty part with the balsamic tomato sauce on it. Yum!