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cheesy turkey meatloaf balls
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4.75 from 4 votes

Mini Turkey Meatloaves Recipe

Mini Turkey Meatloaves are flavor-packed little entrees, filled with gooey cheese and topped with a tangy ketchup mixture. This kid-friendly dinner idea might just be your new favorite recipe! It's a quick and easy dinner that always hits the spot and can be served with any of your favorite side dishes. 
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 15 minutes
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4 people
Author: Becky Hardin

Equipment

  • Baking Sheet

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (⅛ stick)
  • ½ cup diced onion
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 pound ground turkey
  • 1 large egg lightly beaten
  • ¼ cup milk
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning store-bought or homemade
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¾ cup finely crushed cheese crackers such as Cheez-It
  • 4 ounces shredded or cubed cheese divided (see note)
  • ¼ cup ketchup
  • 1 teaspoon brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon yellow mustard

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spray lightly with nonstick spray. Set aside.
    ingredients for cheesy turkey meatloaf arranged in small bowls, set on a baking tray
  • Heat the butter in a medium skillet set over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic and cook for 5 minutes, until onions soften. Cool slightly.
    1 tablespoon unsalted butter, ½ cup diced onion, 3 cloves garlic
  • In a large bowl, combine onion mixture with ground turkey and next 6 ingredients (through cheese crackers) Use your hands to mix thoroughly, but be careful not to overmix.
    1 pound ground turkey, 1 large egg, ¼ cup milk, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ¾ cup finely crushed cheese crackers
    bowl filled with turkey meatloaf ingredients, next to a skillet filled with diced onions
  • Form mixture into 4 equal balls. Flatten each ball and place 1 ounce of cheese in the center. Pinch the edges to fully surround the cheese with the turkey mixture. Place loafs on prepared baking sheet.
    4 ounces shredded or cubed cheese
    hand holding out a ball of meatloaf mixture, with a. square of melting cheese in the middle
  • In a small bowl, whisk the ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard together.
    ¼ cup ketchup, 1 teaspoon brown sugar, 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
  • Brush the top of each “loaf” with ketchup mixture.
    balls of meatloaf on a baking tray, unbaked
  • Bake for 60 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 160°F.

Notes

  • Cheese: Use your favorite kind of cheese, such as pepper Jack, cheddar, or mozzarella.
  • You can sub any single meat or combination of ground meats in place of the turkey, such as beef or chicken.
  • Feel free to use a different seasoning blend to change up the flavor, such as creole or chili seasoning.
  • You can use a different type of mustard, such as Dijon, for a richer flavor.
Storage: Store mini turkey meatloaves in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1loaf | Calories: 505kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 150mg | Sodium: 1124mg | Potassium: 519mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 482IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 257mg | Iron: 2mg