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Stuffed Turkey Meatloaf

Featured in Delicious Main Dish Recipes for Every Occasion.

Lean ground turkey mixed with mushrooms and spices, wrapped around melted cheese and spinach. A tangy glaze seals this delicious dinner idea.

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Updated on Tue, 18 Mar 2025 21:22:47 GMT
Slices of meatloaf stuffed with cheese and spinach, covered with a shiny glaze, served on a plate alongside spinach and a small bowl of sauce. Pin it
Slices of meatloaf stuffed with cheese and spinach, covered with a shiny glaze, served on a plate alongside spinach and a small bowl of sauce. | chefmelt.com

Quick DIY Cheese-Filled Turkey Meatloaf

I gotta tell you about this turkey meatloaf that's taken over dinner time at my house. It's basically lean turkey wrapped around gooey cheese and fresh spinach - totally simple but so good. The sweet-tangy topping really makes it pop, and with just 292 calories per slice, you won't feel guilty grabbing another piece of this wholesome comfort food.

What Makes This No-Fuss Dish So Great

  • Every forkful gives you that amazing cheese-spinach combo
  • It's got that comfort food vibe without all the extra calories
  • Veggies are hidden inside for those who usually avoid them
  • You can tweak the flavors however you want

Basic Components You'll Need

  • Ground Turkey: Grab the 93% lean type for the right balance of juiciness and flavor.
  • Cheddar Cheese: Whatever kind you enjoy will create that wonderful melty middle.
  • Fresh Spinach: Adds some green goodness and helps everything stay juicy.
  • Mushrooms: Mince them small and they'll blend right into the meat mixture.
  • Ketchup Glaze: This simple topping transforms the whole dish.
  • Breadcrumbs: They bind everything together - swap for oats if you can't have gluten.

Simple How-To Guide

Mix Your Base
Drop your ground turkey into a big bowl. Sprinkle in breadcrumbs and spices, then gently work everything together with your hands. Just mix for about a minute or two until combined. Don't go overboard or you'll end up with tough meat instead of tender slices.
Build Your Layers
Get a big piece of parchment paper and flatten the meat into a rectangle about 10x12 inches and half an inch thick. Pat it down evenly with your palms or smooth it with a rolling pin. Now comes the fun stuff - lay your spinach across it (but leave an inch around the edges), scatter your cooked mushrooms, and finish with a generous sprinkle of cheese so every bite has some goodness.
Roll It Up
Now's when that parchment paper really comes in handy. Start at one of the long sides and lift the paper to help roll the meat mixture like you would a cinnamon roll. Keep it tight as you go so there aren't empty spaces in your spiral. Once it's all rolled up, press those edges and seams together firmly. This step is crucial to keep the cheese from leaking out while it cooks.
Add Topping and Bake
Move your rolled-up creation to a baking sheet with the seam facing down. Brush the whole thing with your ketchup glaze, making sure to cover all sides. Slide it into your 375°F oven and let it cook for about 45-50 minutes. You'll know it's done when it hits 165°F inside. The topping should get sticky and you might see some cheese bubbling out - that's a good sign!
Let It Cool Before Slicing
When it's done cooking, don't rush to cut it. Let it sit for about 10 minutes on the baking sheet. This waiting time lets everything settle inside so your slices will look nice and neat. Cut too soon and all the juicy goodness will run out. Brush on a bit more glaze right before you bring it to the table.

Tricks for Perfect Results

  • Turkey Selection: Don't use frozen turkey if you can help it - fresh meat works way better.
  • Light Handling: Your meatloaf stays soft when you don't squish it too much.
  • Slow Rolling: Don't rush this part - let the parchment do the hard work.
  • Topping Ideas: Play around with different glazes to make it your own creation.
A cut meatloaf showing swirls of melted cheese and spinach inside, covered with shiny sauce and sprinkled with fresh herbs. Pin it
A cut meatloaf showing swirls of melted cheese and spinach inside, covered with shiny sauce and sprinkled with fresh herbs. | chefmelt.com

Tasty Twists

  • Go for mozzarella and marinara for an Italian dinner vibe
  • Swap the ketchup glaze for BBQ sauce
  • Just stir everything together for a quicker version
  • Pick gluten-free options if that's what you need

Keeping Leftovers Fresh

This meatloaf is actually fantastic the next day too. You can keep it in your fridge for about 4 days, or pop portions in the freezer for up to 3 months. It's awesome warmed up, but I also love it cold between two slices of bread for lunch.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What’s the purpose of rolling with parchment?

It stops everything from sticking and makes forming the roll a whole lot easier.

→ Can I switch up the cheese?

Totally! Any cheese that melts nicely would work fine inside.

→ Why is resting it important before cutting?

It keeps the slices nice and neat by allowing it to firm up a bit.

→ Is it OK to prepare ahead of time?

Sure thing—put it together up to a day early and stick it in the fridge before cooking.

→ What do mushrooms bring to the table?

They’re great for adding extra juiciness and flavor to the turkey!

Stuffed Turkey Meatloaf

A flavorful turkey meatloaf rolled with cheddar and spinach inside and finished off with a zesty coating. Comfort food made healthier.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
55 Minutes
Total Time
70 Minutes

Category: Main Dish Recipes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 8 Servings (16)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

01 1 oz fresh spinach, finely chopped.
02 1 teaspoon marjoram spice.
03 3/4 cup seasoned breadcrumbs.
04 1 large shallot, diced.
05 1 teaspoon brown sugar (for glaze).
06 2 tablespoons ketchup (for finishing glaze).
07 2/3 cup diced mushrooms.
08 1.5 teaspoons dijon mustard (for finishing glaze).
09 30g cheddar cheese, reduced-fat, grated.
10 1.25 teaspoons kosher salt.
11 2 eggs, large size.
12 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce (for glaze).
13 1/3 cup ketchup.
14 2 pounds lean turkey mince.

Instructions

Step 01

Set your oven to 180°C and generously grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with oil spray.

Step 02

In a pan with a little oil, cook the diced shallot until it turns golden and soft, about 2-3 minutes.

Step 03

Stir all glaze ingredients together in a small dish until they're nice and smooth.

Step 04

In a big dish, mix together the turkey, breadcrumbs, ketchup, eggs, mushrooms, shallots, salt, and marjoram spice.

Step 05

Use your hands to gently but thoroughly combine everything until it's evenly mixed.

Step 06

Place the meat mixture onto a sheet of parchment paper (12x16 inches) and flatten it out to form a rectangle around 10x12 inches in size.

Step 07

Evenly scatter the grated cheddar across the surface of the flattened meat.

Step 08

Spread out the finely chopped spinach on top of the cheese layer.

Step 09

Roll the meat mixture up tightly starting from one of the short ends, using the parchment to guide you as you go. Peel the paper away as you roll.

Step 10

Press the ends of the roll together firmly and lay it seam-side down into the prepped dish.

Step 11

Pop the dish in the oven and let the roll bake, uncovered, for 45 minutes.

Step 12

Take it out of the oven and use a brush to spread the glaze all over the surface of the meat roll.

Step 13

Return the dish to the oven and bake it for another 10-15 minutes, making sure it’s completely cooked through.

Step 14

Let the meat roll sit for about 10 minutes to cool slightly before slicing it.

Step 15

Cut into 16 servings with a sharp knife for clean edges and serve hot.

Notes

  1. Comfort food revamped to be healthier.
  2. Ideal for prepping ahead of time.
  3. Packed with protein goodness.
  4. A great choice for meal planning.

Tools You'll Need

  • 9x13 inch baking dish.
  • A sheet of parchment paper.
  • A skillet or frying pan.
  • Mixing bowls of different sizes.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy (cheese).
  • Uses eggs.
  • Includes wheat (breadcrumbs).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 292
  • Total Fat: 13 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 15 g
  • Protein: 30 g