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    Home » Recipes » Italian Meatloaf

    Italian Meatloaf

    Published: Oct 26, 2021 · Modified: Jun 5, 2022 by Tammy Overhoff

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    This 5-star Italian meatloaf recipe includes ground turkey, poultry sausage, marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, and Italian seasonings. It’s like eating a giant meatball! Truthfully, this might be the best turkey meatloaf you’ll ever have! Make it on Sunday for the week or freeze for dinner later on.

    Italian meatloaf recipe

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    I don’t know what your experience was with meatloaf growing up, but for me, I didn’t exactly look forward to meatloaf day. There is just something about the word “meatloaf” that doesn’t appeal to me.

    But that has changed! Over the years, I’ve learned how to create delicious healthy meatloaf recipes, and those are now a regular part of our dinner rotation.

    Our favorites include cheeseburger meatloaf, sausage meatloaf, Mexican meatloaf, Buffalo chicken meatloaf, turkey zucchini meatloaf with feta cheese, and this Italian meatloaf.

    Reasons you’ll love this recipe.

    • Delicious. There’s a reason this meatloaf recipe has so many 5-star reviews. Read the comments and see for yourself. Everybody that tastes this meatloaf loves it! It tastes like a giant meatball, and who doesn’t love that!
    • Easy to prepare. You need to mix all of the ingredients, form them into a loaf, and bake.
    • Healthy. Made with ground turkey and Italian poultry sausage, this meatloaf recipe is big on flavor without extra calories and fat.
    • Make-ahead. There are so many different ways to make meatloaf ahead of time for the week. Make it on Sunday for the week or freeze a couple of loaves to have ready for the busy workweek. I think every busy parent needs a few good meatloaf recipes in their dinnertime arsenal.

    5-Star Recipe ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    “This is THE BEST turkey meatloaf! It might even be the best meatloaf period! My whole family loved it including my super picky granddaughters. Thank you so much for sharing!” – Kelly

    Ingredients

    ingredients to make Italian meatloaf.
    • Milk and bread. Combining milk and bread into a paste help to keep this Italian meatloaf recipe juicy and moist.
    • Ground turkey. Lean ground turkey provides protein without saturated fat.
    • Poultry Italian sausage You’ll get all the delicious flavor of Italian sausage made with pork but without the extra fat and calories. Purchase poultry sausage at the meat counter or in the meat section of the grocery store.
    • Eggs and unseasoned breadcrumbs. These are the binding ingredients for this meatloaf recipe. I use unseasoned breadcrumbs because I like to control the flavor with other seasonings and ingredients. Also, seasoned breadcrumbs often include additional flavorings, additives, and preservatives that don’t lend well to a clean eating diet.
    • Grated parmesan cheese. For the best flavor, use freshly grated parmesan cheese. You can also use Romano cheese.
    • Italian Seasoning, Onion Powder, and Granulated Garlic. This is the perfect seasoning blend for this Italian meatloaf. If you don’t have Italian seasoning, then use half-dried oregano and half-dried basil.
    • Worcestershire sauce. This is the secret ingredient I use in all of my ground turkey recipes to create delicious flavor.,
    • Shredded Mozzarella. There’s nothing like ooey-gooey cheese combined with sauce and meat! Yum! You can also use shredded provolone or a pizza blend. 
    • Marinara sauce. Any pasta sauce will work. Of course, homemade spaghetti sauce is best, but we also like to use a high-quality jarred marinara sauce. Our favorite brand is Rao’s or Thrive Market Sicilian Gravy., 
    a slice of Italian meatloaf on a plate with rice and broccoli.

    Cooking Tips

    • Use ground beef and pork. So many people have tried this recipe with ground turkey and poultry sausage and love it! But, if you prefer lean ground beef and ground pork, then you can swap in both no problem.
    • Spice it up. To increase the heat, use a hot Italian sausage or sprinkle in more red pepper flakes.
    • Make it gluten-free. I’ve made this many times using gluten-free bread and breadcrumbs. You can use gluten-free crackers too. Also, if you have a gluten-sensitivity please read the labels on the other ingredients to make sure there’s no gluten hiding in them.
    • Bulk up the veggies. Add bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, and other vegetables into the meatloaf meat mixture. I recommend sauteing in olive oil first.
    • If needed, add more breadcrumbs. This Italian turkey meatloaf is going to feel on the wet side. Don’t worry; this keeps the meatloaf juicy and moist. However, if you’re struggling to form it into a loaf, then add some extra bread crumbs.
    • Beat the eggs before adding to the meatloaf mixture. You don’t want to over mix the meatloaf mixture because that can result in a tough texture. Beating the eggs first makes it easier to mix all of the ingredients evenly without having to overmix.
    • Any baking dish or pan will work. When cooking this meatloaf, I’ve used a baking sheet, casserole dish, baking pan, and meatloaf pan – all work just fine.

    Supplies

    • Mixing bowls
    • Large rimmed baking sheet or meat loaf pan

    Serving suggestions

    This Italian meatloaf goes with just about everything. Here are our favorite sides.

    • Oven-roasted potatoes
    • Ranch roasted potatoes
    • Brown rice
    • Mashed Potatoes or keep it low carb with this loaded cauliflower mash
    • Roasted broccoli
    • Roasted asparagus
    • Roasted sweet potatoes
    • Italian Pasta Salad

    See more healthy meatloaf sides.

    How to Make Italian Meatloaf

    collage showing how to make Italian meatloaf
    • Start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees. While the oven is heating, put together the meatloaf. 
    • In a large bowl, mash together the bread and milk until it forms a paste.
    • To the paste, add the ground turkey, Italian sausage, eggs, breadcrumbs, grated parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, onion powder, granulated garlic, salt, pepper, ½ cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese, and 1/2 cup of the marinara sauce.
    • Mix all of the ingredients, using your hands, until everything is evenly distributed. As I said, don’t overmix.
    • Line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil and then spray with cooking spray. Place the mixture onto the pan and form it into a loaf shape.
    • Spread the remaining marinara sauce over the meatloaf.
    • Put the meatloaf into a preheated oven and bake the meatloaf for 60 – 70 minutes. When the internal temperature registers 160 then the meatloaf is done. Use a meat thermometer to get the most accurate reading.
    • Remove the meatloaf from the oven and then set the oven to broil.
    • Sprinkle the rest of the shredded cheese over the top and broil for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese melts.
    • Remove meatloaf from the oven, let it sit for about 5 minutes, and then cut into thick slices and serve.
    Italian meatloaf on a plate with rice and broccoli with a platter of sliced meatloaf in the background.

    Storage Tips

    Meatloaf is one of the best recipes to make for meal prep and freezer cooking. Here are some options.

    • Cook the Italian meatloaf entirely and then store it in an airtight glass container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave for 2-4 minutes or until hot.
    • One of my favorite ways to store cooked meatloaf is to make meal prep bowls; I put a slice of meatloaf, rice, and vegetable in a glass container for a perfect portion control healthy dinner to eat during the week. You can also freeze these bowls to have them ready for meals later on.
    Italian meatloaf in a container with rice and broccoli.
    • Assemble the meatloaf on a piece of foil, place it onto a plate, cover, and refrigerate for up to 2 days. When you’re ready to cook, put the meatloaf on a baking sheet and continue with the recipe.
    • Assemble the meatloaf and freeze raw. This is an excellent way to stock your freezer with different meatloaf recipes to have ready-for-easy dinners throughout the month. For more information, see my tutorial on how to freeze meatloaf. 
    Italian meatloaf recipe

    Italian Meatloaf

    This 5-star Italian meatloaf recipe includes ground turkey, poultry sausage, marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, and Italian seasonings. It's like eating a giant meatball! Truthfully, this might be the best turkey meatloaf you'll ever have! Make it on Sunday for the week or freeze for dinner later on.
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: dinner, dinner recipe
    Cuisine: American, Italian
    Keyword: italian meatloaf, italian meatloaf recipe
    Prep Time: 20 minutes
    Cook Time: 1 hour
    Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
    Servings: 8 people
    Calories: 270kcal
    Author: Tammy Overhoff

    Equipment

    • Mixing Bowls
    • Baking Sheet

    Ingredients

    • 1 slice wheat bread
    • 2-3 tablespoons milk
    • 1 lb ground turkey
    • 1/2 lb poultry Italian sausage Remove casings if you purchase links
    • 2 eggs beaten
    • ½ cup unseasoned breadcrumbs
    • 1/3 cup grated parmesan can also use Romano cheese
    • 2 teaspoons Italian Seasoning
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder
    • 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt
    • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
    • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese divided
    • 1 cup marinara sauce divided

    Instructions

    • Start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees. While the oven is heating, put together the meatloaf.
    •  In a large bowl, mash together the bread and milk until it forms a paste.
    • To the paste, add the ground turkey, Italian sausage, eggs, breadcrumbs, grated parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, onion powder, granulated garlic, salt, pepper, ½ cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese, and 1/2 cup of the marinara sauce.
    • Mix all of the ingredients, using your hands, until everything is evenly distributed.
    • Line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil and then spray with cooking spray. Place the mixture onto the pan and form it into a loaf shape.
    • Spread the remaining marinara sauce over the meatloaf.
    • Put the meatloaf into a preheated oven and bake the meatloaf for 60 – 70 minutes. When the internal temperature registers 160 then the meatloaf is done.
    • Remove the meatloaf from the oven and then set the oven to broil.
    • Sprinkle the rest of the shredded cheese over the top and broil for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese melts.
    • Remove meatloaf from the oven, let it sit for about 5 minutes, and then cut into thick slices and serve.

    Video

    Notes

    Storage Tips
    Meatloaf is one of the best recipes to make for meal prep and freezer cooking. Here are some options.
    Cook the Italian meatloaf entirely and then store it in an airtight glass container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave for 2-4 minutes or until hot. One of my favorite ways to store cooked meatloaf is to make meal prep bowls; I put a slice of meatloaf, rice, and vegetable in a glass container for a perfect portion control healthy dinner to eat during the week. You can also freeze these bowls to have them ready for meals later on.
    Assemble the meatloaf on a piece of foil, place it onto a plate, cover, and refrigerate for up to 2 days. When you’re ready to cook, put the meatloaf on a baking sheet and continue with the recipe.
    Assemble the meatloaf and freeze raw. This is an excellent way to stock your freezer with different meatloaf recipes to have ready-for-easy dinners throughout the month. For more information, see my tutorial on how to freeze meatloaf. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1g | Calories: 270kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 102mg | Sodium: 503mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g

    Other meatloaf recipes

    • Reuben meatloaf
    • Greek Meatloaf
    • Mini Meatloaf Recipe

    Did you make this recipe?

    Have you tried this Italian Meatloaf recipe? If so, I’d love for you to rate this recipe and leave a comment below. We all learn from each other’s experiences. Also, it would be awesome if you could share a picture on Instagram and tag it #organizeyourselfskinny. I can’t wait to see it!

    Sharing is caring!

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    Dinner Recipes, Healthy Ground Turkey Recipes, Healthy Low Carb Recipes, Recipes

    About Tammy Overhoff

    Hi, I’m Tammy Overhoff, a busy mom, wife, and entrepreneur. I am the owner, author, and recipe developer here at Organize Yourself Skinny. Since 2011 Organize Yourself Skinny has become a trusted resource for clean eating recipes to meal prep, reviews, and lifestyle hacks to help you fit healthy habits and routines into your busy schedule. I’m the author of the Organize Yourself Skinny eBook & 30-day Workbook Bundle.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kelly says

      September 10, 2019 at 3:27 pm

      5 stars
      This is THE BEST turkey meatloaf! It might even be the best meatloaf period! My whole family loved it including my super picky granddaughters. Thank you so much for sharing!

      Reply
      • Tammy Kresge says

        September 12, 2019 at 9:14 am

        That’s so awesome to hear!! I’m happy every loved it. It’s one of my favorites. Make sure to try the cheeseburger meatloaf too. That’s also one of my favs. https://www.organizeyourselfskinny.com/healthy-bacon-turkey-cheeseburger-meatloaf-recipe/

        Reply
    2. Noelle says

      May 08, 2017 at 12:27 pm

      5 stars
      Thank you, Tammy, for sharing!!! Absolutely delicious…this will definitely remain in my meal rotation!

      Reply
      • Tammy Kresge says

        May 09, 2017 at 10:20 am

        so glad you liked it!

        Reply
    3. Jami Whaley says

      August 02, 2016 at 1:16 pm

      5 stars
      THIS. WAS. DELICIOUS. I’ll say it again–DELICIOUS! My family of five (three teen girls) enjoyed and we ended up with leftovers for lunch. I used my Instant Pot and cooked it on high pressure for 20 minutes with a 10 minute pressure release, finished it in the oven for 10 minutes to melt the cheese and brown it a little (oven was already on for the roasted potatoes and green beans). We will be making this one again and again.

      Reply
    4. Hilary J says

      September 04, 2015 at 9:57 am

      5 stars
      Wow, you weren’t kidding about this being the best meatloaf recipe EVER! I loved the cheese mixed in and also sprinkled on the top. This went so fast in my house I already plan to make it again over the weekend. I found it made closer to 5-6 servings, rather than 8. But, that’s probably because it is so amazingly yummy and you just want more.

      Reply

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    Hi, I’m Tammy Overhoff, a busy mom, wife, and entrepreneur. I am the owner, author, and recipe developer here at Organize Yourself Skinny. Since 2011 Organize Yourself Skinny has become a trusted resource for clean eating meal prep recipes, reviews, and lifestyle hacks to help you fit healthy habits and routines into your busy schedule. I’m the author of the Organize Yourself Skinny 30-Day Reset & Flourish eBook Bundle & the 10-Day Healthy Eating Challenges Kit!

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