Cheesy BBQ Turkey Meatloaf
“A moist turkey meatloaf that’s perfectly seasoned, loaded with Colby jack cheese and brushed with BBQ sauce! Serve with potatoes and roasted veggies for an amazing dinner!”
What is the one homemade meal you turn to when you’re not in the mood for cooking? For me, here lately it’s been meatloaf. I’ve never really been a huge meatloaf fan, I mean, I like it but it’s not something I make often. However, this cheesy turkey meatloaf has been in heavy rotation.
I know what some of you are thinking, “ughhh turkey meatloaf…dry, bland, boring… booooo!” . I can assure you that this turkey meatloaf is none of that!
It’s full of savory spices, sweet and smokey BBQ sauce and cheese…baby it’s got flavor! And adding whole milk and olive oil to the mix creates one juicy, moist meatloaf with a tender texture.
Like seriously what do you have to lose here!? Try it!
This cheesy turkey meatloaf pairs up well with so many side dishes and creates such a wholesome filling meal! Here are some of my favorite side dish combinations for this turkey meatloaf.
- Potato salad, green beans, dinner roll
- Fried potato rounds, sweet peas, molasses roll
- Corn on cob, rice, baked zucchini
- Mac n cheese, broccoli, honey butter yeast roll
Did I mention how quick this comes together? Sure you have to saute the onions and garlic but after that, it’s all one bowl. It’s even great the next day. I usually have to double the recipe so that my husband can make his beloved meatloaf sandwich.
If you’re feeling creative try changing up the cheeses a bit. Smoked cheese is so good in this OMG!
Enjoy!
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Turkey Meatloaf
Ingredients
- 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb. ground turkey
- 1/2 -3/4 cup seasoned croutons, crushed (or seasoned bread crumbs)
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 2 tablespoons BBQ sauce, use your fav.
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground sage
- 2 teaspoons parsley, plus more for grnish
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- 3/4 - 1 cup Colby Jack cheese, cut into tiny cubes
- Favorite BBQ sauce, to spread on top (I used Stubb's Sweet Heat BBQ sauce)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F.
- Lightly grease an 8.5-inch loaf pan. Set aside.
- Add olive oil to a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Add onions and saute until tender.
- Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
- Remove from heat and let cool.
- In a large bowl add the cooked onion & garlic, ground turkey, crushed croutons, and egg.
- Mix together ketchup and BBQ sauce and add to the bowl.
- Add in salt, pepper, smoked paprika, thyme, oregano, sage, and parsley.
- Add in milk and mix JUST until combined. Do not overwork the meat.
- Fold in cheese.
- *optional*Fry up a tinyl test patty if you want to check the seasonings.
- Spoon the mixture into the prepared pan and smooth out.
- Brush the top with BBQ sauce and sprinkle with a bit of parlsey.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes (may need more time depending on the type of pan you use. See note*)
- Remove from oven and let cool.
- Slice and serve.
Video
Notes
I love You Diva!!! This recipe is BOMB!!!! Everyone that I have cooked this for falls in love and begs me for the secret!!! Keep up the great work, Diva!!! We love, respect and admire you and your hard work!!’ ♥️♥️
#ChicagoDiva
Turned out delicious! It was my first time making meatloaf and my husband loved it! I am saving this recipe…it’s about to become a staple ❤️
Gonna make this tonight for the family! Can’t wait, it sounds and looks delicious
This looks delish ..thank u
HI Monique,
When I make meat loaf, I like to make sides like mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, cheesy potatoes, and when I make one of them sides I also like to have a vegetable. When I do low carb, I make low carb meatloaf in which I use crushed pork rinds because they don’t have carbs. I also like to use onion, green pepper chopped small like you chop yours. I also add grated parmesan cheese, reduced sugar ketchup, sugar free BBQ sauce (Stubs brand is awesome),and spices. Even when I make meatloaf regular I just use regular bread crumbs. but I think the seasoned croutons sound awesome in this.
Hmmmmmm, Hmmmm Good!!!! I was doing the happy dance when I tasted this meatloaf. I just moved and couldn’t find my measuring spoons and did not follow the measurements for the seasonings, so my guestimates worked well. In addition to colby cheese, I added jack pepper cheese and did the grounded croutons instead of breadcrumbs. It was simple recipe to follow, but oh so delicious. That is three for three Diva. I tried your vegetarian collard greens and your potato salad – the outcomes were great as well.