Parmesan Crusted Turkey Meatloaf (Printable)

Flavorful turkey meatloaf with a golden, cheesy Parmesan topping perfect for family dinners.

# 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

# How to make it:

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 Tips:

01 -
  • The crispy cheesy topping makes every bite feel special without much extra effort
  • Lean turkey means you can actually go back for seconds without the post-dinner food coma
  • Leftovers somehow taste even better the next day in sandwiches
02 -
  • Stop mixing as soon as the ingredients are combined for the most tender texture
  • The internal temperature matters more than the time, so use a thermometer
  • Letting it rest is non-negotiable or you will lose all those delicious juices
03 -
  • Use slightly wet hands when shaping to prevent the mixture from sticking
  • Room temperature ingredients mix more evenly and bake more consistently

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