Parmesan Crusted Turkey Meatloaf (Print View)
Lean turkey meatloaf with crunchy Parmesan topping, Italian herbs, and classic comfort flavors.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meatloaf Mixture
01 - 1 ½ lbs ground turkey
02 - 1 cup breadcrumbs
03 - ½ cup milk
04 - 1 large egg
05 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 - ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
08 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
09 - 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
10 - 1 tsp salt
11 - ½ tsp black pepper
12 - 2 tbsp ketchup
→ Parmesan Crust
13 - ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
14 - ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
15 - 2 tbsp melted butter
16 - 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
→ Topping
17 - ¼ cup ketchup
# Step-by-Step Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease a loaf pan.
02 - In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, onion, garlic, Parmesan, parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and 2 tbsp ketchup. Mix until just combined—do not overmix.
03 - Shape the mixture into a loaf on the prepared baking sheet or transfer to the loaf pan, smoothing the top.
04 - Spread ¼ cup ketchup evenly over the top of the loaf.
05 - In a separate bowl, mix together grated Parmesan, panko breadcrumbs, and melted butter until the mixture resembles coarse clumps. Sprinkle evenly over the top of the ketchup layer.
06 - Bake for 50 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the crust is golden brown.
07 - Let meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with extra parsley if desired and serve warm.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The crust creates this incredible salty crunch that keeps you coming back for seconds
- Ground turkey stays surprisingly juicy while feeling lighter than traditional beef
02 -
- Overmixing the meat mixture makes for tough meatloaf, so stop as soon as everything is combined
- The crust might look dark before the meat is done, so trust your meat thermometer more than your eyes
03 -
- Grate your own Parmesan from a wedge instead of buying it pre-grated
- Let the meatloaf rest for the full 10 minutes or you will lose all those juices