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Cheesy Turkey Meatloaf

Featured in: Family-Friendly Dinners Everyone Will Love

This flavorful turkey loaf uses tender ground turkey mixed with mushrooms and spices, filled with cheddar and spinach, then glossy glazed for ultimate comfort eating.

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Updated on Fri, 09 May 2025 14:58:32 GMT
Slices of turkey loaf stuffed with spinach and cheese, covered in shiny glaze, served with fresh greens and sauce on a plate. Pin it
Slices of turkey loaf stuffed with spinach and cheese, covered in shiny glaze, served with fresh greens and sauce on a plate. | cookingkitchn.com

Juicy Stuffed Turkey Meatloaf with Cheese

I've got to tell you about this mouthwatering turkey meatloaf my family can't get enough of. It's packed with gooey cheese and fresh spinach all rolled up inside lean turkey meat. The sweet tangy topping really makes it something you'll crave, and with under 300 calories per portion, you won't feel guilty having another slice.

What Makes This Dish So Irresistible

  • You'll get melty cheese and spinach in every mouthful
  • It's a lighter take that doesn't skimp on flavor
  • Kids won't even notice they're eating veggies
  • You can customize it to match your taste buds

Simple Pantry Staples You'll Need

  • Ground Turkey: We go with 93% lean for the right balance of flavor and juiciness.
  • Cheddar Cheese: Pick whatever type melts nicely for that gooey middle.
  • Fresh Spinach: Brings color and keeps your meatloaf from drying out.
  • Mushrooms: Dice them small and they'll blend right in.
  • Ketchup Glaze: This topping turns an ordinary meatloaf into something special.
  • Breadcrumbs: They hold everything together but you can swap in oats if you don't eat gluten.

Quick How-To Guide

Mix Your Meat Base
Toss your ground turkey in a big bowl. Sprinkle in the breadcrumbs and spices, then mix with your hands until just combined. Don't work it more than a minute or two. Mixing too much will make your meatloaf tough and rubbery, so stop when everything looks blended.
Build Your Filling
Get a big piece of parchment paper and spread out your meat mixture to form a rectangle about 10x12 inches and half an inch thick. Smooth it out with your palms or a rolling pin. Now comes the good part. Spread spinach leaves across the surface but leave an inch around the edges. Scatter your cooked mushrooms next, then sprinkle all that yummy cheese on top for maximum coverage.
Roll It Up Right
Now for the fun part. Use the parchment paper to help you lift and slowly roll the meat from the long side, kind of like making a cinnamon roll. Keep it snug as you go to avoid empty spots in your spiral. Once it's all rolled up, press those edges and seams firmly together. This step really matters if you want that cheese to stay put during baking.
Finish and Bake
Move your meatloaf carefully to a baking sheet with the seam facing down. Brush that tasty glaze all over the top and sides. Pop it into your 375°F oven and let it cook for about 45-50 minutes until it hits 165°F inside. You'll know it's ready when the glaze looks sticky and maybe some cheese starts bubbling out the sides.
Let It Cool Before Slicing
After taking it out, don't rush to cut it. Let your masterpiece sit for 10 minutes on the baking sheet. This waiting time lets everything firm up so you'll get clean slices instead of a crumbly mess. Add a final brush of glaze just before bringing it to the table for that extra shine.

Quick Tricks for the Best Results

  • Turkey Selection: Go with the freshest meat you can find for tastier results.
  • Light Handling: Your meatloaf will stay softer if you don't squish it too much.
  • Careful Rolling: Don't rush this step, and let the parchment do the heavy lifting.
  • Sauce Switch-ups: Feel free to play with different glazes to make it yours.
A meatloaf cut open showing layers of melted cheese and spinach, coated with shiny sauce and topped with fresh herbs. Pin it
A meatloaf cut open showing layers of melted cheese and spinach, coated with shiny sauce and topped with fresh herbs. | cookingkitchn.com

Fun Twists to Try

  • Go Mediterranean with gooey mozzarella and tomato sauce
  • Swap in some BBQ sauce for a smoky kick
  • Toss all ingredients together for a quicker version
  • Adapt with non-gluten options if you're sensitive

Keeping Your Leftovers Fresh

This tasty meatloaf works great as leftovers too. It'll stay good in your fridge for up to 4 days, or you can freeze portions for about 3 months. I love it warmed up the next day, but it's also pretty amazing cold in a sandwich.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What’s the parchment for?

It helps keep things non-sticky and makes rolling simple.

→ Can I swap the cheese?

Absolutely, just pick a cheese that melts nicely.

→ Why rest it first before cutting?

Gives it time to hold better for neat slices.

→ Is this make-ahead friendly?

You can put it together a day early and chill until ready to bake.

→ What’s the purpose of mushrooms?

They bring both taste and extra juiciness to the turkey mix.

Cheesy Turkey Meatloaf

Turkey loaf rolled with melty cheese and spinach, finished with a delicious glaze. Comfort food made healthier.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
55 Minutes
Total Time
70 Minutes
By: Sophia


Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 8 Servings (16)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

01 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce for the glaze.
02 1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard, for topping.
03 1 teaspoon brown sugar for glazing.
04 2 tablespoons ketchup, for the glaze.
05 1 oz finely chopped fresh spinach.
06 1 cup shredded reduced-fat cheddar.
07 1 teaspoon dried marjoram.
08 1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt.
09 2 large, beaten eggs.
10 1/3 cup ketchup for the mix.
11 3/4 cup seasoned breadcrumbs.
12 1 large shallot, chopped finely.
13 2/3 cup diced mushrooms.
14 2 pounds of lean turkey, ground.

Instructions

Step 01

Start by setting your oven to 350°F and grease a 9x13 pan with cooking spray.

Step 02

Cook minced shallot in a pan with some oil for 2-3 minutes until it softens and browns.

Step 03

Stir the glaze components together in a small dish until smooth, then set aside.

Step 04

In a big bowl, toss in turkey, mushrooms, shallot, breadcrumbs, ketchup, eggs, salt, and marjoram.

Step 05

Using your hands, gently mix everything until it all sticks together.

Step 06

Flatten the meat mixture on a 12x16 parchment sheet into a rectangle about 10x12 inches.

Step 07

Scatter shredded cheddar evenly across the entire meat rectangle.

Step 08

Spread the chopped spinach evenly over the cheese topping.

Step 09

Carefully roll starting from the shorter side, peeling parchment away as you go.

Step 10

Pinch the edges shut, flip the loaf, and lay it seam-side down into the greased pan.

Step 11

Pop it into the oven without covering and bake for 45 minutes.

Step 12

Take the loaf out and coat it completely with the glaze you prepared earlier.

Step 13

Return it to the oven for about 10-15 more minutes to finish cooking.

Step 14

Allow it to sit for 10 minutes before slicing it up into 16 thick pieces.

Step 15

Serve warm and use a sharp knife for clean slices.

Notes

  1. A healthier twist on comfort food.
  2. Good for prepping in advance.
  3. Packed with protein goodness.
  4. Perfect for planning meals.

Tools You'll Need

  • 9x13 pan for baking.
  • Sheet of parchment paper.
  • A skillet for cooking.
  • Some mixing bowls.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy, from the cheese.
  • Egg-based dish.
  • Includes wheat in the 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