Stuffed Turkey Meatloaf

Aren’t I cute?

We don’t eat meatloaf often around here. It’s one of my favorite foods, but Katherine is lukewarm to it. This recipe has finally awakened her palate to the awesomeness of meatloaf.

Stuffed Turkey Meatloaf

• 1 to 1.25 lbs lean ground turkey
• 1 egg
• roughly 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/2 onion, diced
• 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 broccoli crown (3-4 cups chopped coarsely)
• 4-5 ounces sliced fresh mozzarella
• olive oil
• salt/pepper
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh thyme

In a large frying pan, heat enough olive oil to cover the bottom of the pan. Saute garlic for about a minute then throw in the broccoli. Stir to combine and add just a bit of water, less than a quarter cup. Cook for five minutes. Remove from heat and let cool. Chop into smaller bite-sized bits. Set aside. In a large bowl, mix meat, remaining garlic, salt, pepper, pepper flakes, egg and bread crumbs. If the mix is too sticky add more breadcrumbs until the meat holds together in a ball. Flatten meat dough and place broccoli filling in the center. Place cheese on top and then fold meat around filling. Place loaf in a greased baking dish. Drizzle olive oil over the top and season with thyme, salt, and pepper. Bake at 365 until the outside is browned and cooked through, about 45 minutes. Remove from oven and let rest 15 minutes then slice into pieces. A simple brown gravy can go with this but it is also good all by itself.