Recipe: Turkey Veggie Paleo Meatloaf

 My sister in law Gayle was the first person I know to make meatloaf with turkey and veggies. After my mother died, she often came to my dad’s house to make dinner for everyone (because not only is she an excellent cook, she is very sweet like that) and this was one my favorite dishes she made. I can’t quite remember how my mom made her meatloaf except that I remember she put ketchup on top and we always liked that. So this recipe is based on Gayle’s delicious turkey meatloaf with the ketchup topping that my mom made. My family loves it and it’s a good way to sneak some veggies in your dinner.

First thing you do is put your veggies in a food processor. You can use any veggies you want or have in the refrigerator. I usually use peppers, carrots and onions though sometimes zucchini and mushrooms if I have them.  So you throw your veggies in a food processor along with your garlic and process them until they are finely chopped. If there is liquid/juice in the bowl, dump it out. Also if there are big chunks that didn’t get chopped fine enough, I take those out too.

Then you add your other ingredients but your ground turkey last. You want everything mixed up well before you add the turkey. Once mixed, place on a sprayed cookie sheet or better yet, a cookie sheet with a piece of aluminum foil that has bee sprayed. That way you can just throw the foil away and there is less mess. Form the meatloaf any way you like and then top with either ketchup or barbecue sauce. I like ketchup but my husband prefers barbecue sauce so sometimes I make two little loaves…one for me and one for him. You don’t have to put anything on top because there is enough flavor with out it but it does give it some umpf (is that how you spell that?)

This is a paleo recipe without the ketchup or barbecue sauce because you are using almond flour instead of bread crumbs. So if you use a plaeo ketchup or barbecue sauce on top you are good to go if you follow a paleo or low carb lifestyle. Here is a post from PaleoLeap.com on paleo condiments with links to recipes if you need them.

Bake your meatloaf in a 400 degree oven for 30-40 minutes and your done. You can also make this in muffin tins if you like. Sometimes I make the muffins and freeze them for a quick lunch for myself. Hope you enjoy this healthy, tasty dinner staple in my house.

For more Paleo recipes, follow my Pinterest boards here!

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Recipe: Turkey Veggie Meatloaf

This is a healthy yet delicious meatloaf recipe that uses lots of veggies and ground turkey. My family loves it, hope yours does too! NOTE: You can use any veggies you like. I always use carrots, onions and peppers for their flavor but you can add others too such as zucchini, mushrooms, etc.

Author Denise Wright (MyLifeCookbook.com)

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground turkey
• 1/4 red pepper
• 1/4 yellow pepper
• 1/2 zucchini sm
• 1/2 carrot sm
• 1/2 onion
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 Tablespoon worchestershire sauce
• 1 egg
• 3 Tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon mustard
• 1 teaspoon basil
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 cup almond flour
• 1/4 cup grated cheese
• barbecue sauce or ketchup as needed for topping optional

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. In a food processor add onion and garlic and pulse until very fine. Add to a mixing bowl.
3. Next add carrot, zucchini and peppers to processor and then to the mixing bowl after it's been chopped.
4. Discard any liquid from the veggies.
5. Add worchestershire sauce, spices, egg, almond flour and cheese the mixing bowl and mix well.
6. Finally add the ground turkey and mix well.
7. Spray a piece of aluminum foil that has been placed on acookie sheet and form turkey mixture into desired form. Mine always looks like a football.
8. Add barbecue sauce or ketchup to the top and spread evenly all over meatloafl. This is optional. I grew up with ketchup on top but my husband prefers barbecue sauce. It's tasty enough with out either though.
9. Cook in the oven for 30-40 minutes.
10. Enjoy!