Two comfort foods – a turkey meatloaf recipe and mashed potatoes – come together with grated zucchini for a healthy twist on a classic. 152 calories and 5 Weight Watchers Freestyle SP. Thank you to the Little Potato Co. for helping me to share this recipe with you.
It was nearly 20 years ago when we lived in New York City and I really learned to appreciate meatloaf. Growing up, my mum rarely made the classic meal and I always heard my friends complaining about meatloaf night at their houses. But when I walked into a Manhattan diner and I was told that meatloaf was the specialty, I decided to see what all the fuss was about. My opinion of meatloaf changed with a single bite. It was tender, filled with herbs and satisfying…everything comfort food should be.
I first started playing around with mini meatloaves at home, starting with this barbecue sauce version and following up with my kids’ favorite, hoisin turkey meatloaves.
Since we are partial to healthy recipes around here, I wanted to optimize the vitamins and nutrients in this recipe while also putting a twist on a classic. First stop – lean ground turkey. As turkey is known for drying out at times, I added plenty of moisture in the form of grated zucchini, grated onion and soy sauce. But when you have extra moisture, you must also have something to hold it all together.
In this case, those binders are an egg, whole wheat panko breadcrumbs and…mashed potatoes. That’s right, mashed potatoes! It’s like two classic comfort foods met and had the perfect little comfort food baby.
For the mashed potatoes, I used my favorite Creamer potatoes by The Little Potato Co. Specifically, I used their oven- and grill-ready garlic herb Creamers. They come in a foil container, complete with a seasoning packet. All you have to do is toss the potatoes with olive oil and the seasoning, and roast them (in the container) on the grill or in the oven. Thirty minutes later, you have perfect, golden brown roasted potatoes. Oh yeah, and the Creamers are packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber. A healthy bonus!
Once my boys tasted this, the younger one said, “Mum, I don’t get why people talk always talk about meatloaf like it’s a bad thing. It’s one of my favorite meals.” Success!
Other healthy recipes with Creamer potatoes:
Cookin’ Canuck’s Light Mashed Potatoes with Kale & Goat Cheese
Cookin Canuck’s Creamer Potatoes with Red Pepper Cashew Pesto
Cocoa Bean, The Vegetable’s Slow Roasted Za’atar Potatoes
The Cookie Writer’s Simple Vegetable Soup with Creamer Potatoes
Faithfully Gluten Free’s Hot Potato Salad (Mayo & Dairy Free)
Italian Turkey, Potato & Zucchini Meatloaf Recipe
Italian Turkey, Potato and Zucchini Meatloaf…Classic comfort food with a healthy twist! 152 calories and 5 Weight Watcher Freestyle SP
Ingredients
- 1 lb. package Little Potato Co. oven-grill ready potatoes (garlic herb)
- 1 lb. lean ground turkey
- 1/2 medium onion, grated
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup grated zucchini
- 1/2 cup whole wheat panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup minced flat-leaf parsley
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp ground pepper
- 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup marinara sauce (your favorite kind)
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
- Cook the Little Potato Co. potatoes according to the package directions. Transfer half of the potatoes to a medium-sized bowl. Set aside the remaining potatoes for another use (they could be served alongside the meatloaf).
- Mash the potatoes with the back of a fork until roughly mashed.
- Turn the oven temperature to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil and lightly coat with cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, mashed potatoes, onion, garlic, zucchini, breadcrumbs, parsley, egg, soy sauce, oregano, pepper and red pepper flakes. Stir to combine.
- Form the turkey mixture into an 8- by 5-inch rectangle on the prepared baking sheet.
- Brush the tomato sauce on the top and sides of the meatloaf.
- Bake until a thermometer inserted in the center of the meatloaf reads 170 degrees F, 45 to 50 minutes.
- Let the meatloaf rest for 5 minutes.
- Using a serrated knife, cut the meatloaf into ½-inch slices. Serve.
Recipe Notes
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by The Little Potato Company. All opinions are my own. This post contains links to my Amazon affiliate page. Any revenue made from sales through these links helps to support this blog. Thank you!
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says
Jan 27, 2016 at 4:04 amMeatloaf it a great comfort food, I totally agree with you on that. I know tons of people who love love love meatloaf! This one looks awesome and packed with flavor! Great recipe share 🙂
Carolyn says
Jan 27, 2016 at 6:45 amIt looks so flavourful and I never would have guessed that there were mashed potatoes in there!
DessertForTwo says
Jan 27, 2016 at 6:48 amNot only did you make meatloaf beautiful, but I know you’ve made it delicious! I can’t wait to try this!
Jessica - The Novice Chef says
Jan 27, 2016 at 8:47 amThis looks like an amazing meatloaf! I like the addition of potato!
Liz says
Jan 27, 2016 at 9:29 amSounds so good and different. Thanks Dara and have a wonderful day.
Connie says
Jan 27, 2016 at 10:54 amI make meatloaf filled with grated vegetables, too! It is a great way to stretch the meat and add nutritional value. I tried making turkey loaf once but it was dry and extra firm but I didn’t make it with vegetables, but now I will give it another try!
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts says
Jan 27, 2016 at 1:06 pmI haven’t had a meatloaf in probably 15 years, and now I really want one!! I have seen those potatoes before, but haven’t tried them yet. But they look perfect with a meatloaf dinner
fabiola@notjustbaked says
Jan 27, 2016 at 1:11 pmMeatloaf is a loved item around here and I don’t make it often enough. It’s so hearty and filling, it’s on my list for next week, thank you!
Joan | HappyForks.com says
Jan 27, 2016 at 2:06 pmTurkey meat is lean so it’s good for people who want to be slim. Meals with turkey are less caloric than those with pork or beef.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Jan 27, 2016 at 4:50 pmThis may be the pretties meatloaf I’ve every seen 🙂 Can’t wait to try this!
Sylvie says
Jan 27, 2016 at 4:56 pmThose little garlic potatoes look great, I ‘ll have to check them out!
Katalina @ Peas & Peonies says
Jan 27, 2016 at 8:55 pmThose little potatoes look so good, I have never seen them before, but now I am definitely looking for them! We love potatoes a lot in my family!
Liz @ The Lemon Bowl says
Jan 28, 2016 at 5:06 amThose potatoes could not be cuter!! I need to look for those! My boys would love everything about this comfort food meal!
Beth says
Jan 28, 2016 at 6:37 amDara, you nailed meatloaf! It seems like it would be a hard dish to photograph, but yours looks stunning!
eat good 4 life says
Jan 28, 2016 at 8:17 amI have never made meatloaf before. Those potatoes though…I would eat them all for sure!! Great recipe.
Kacey @ The Cookie Writer says
Jan 28, 2016 at 9:51 amI really need to find that microwave ready kit! I only have two of their flavours out here 🙂 Also, my daughter would eat meatloaf 24/7 if she could, haha!
Nutmeg Nanny says
Jan 30, 2016 at 7:08 pmI LOVE meatloaf. It’s actually one of my favorite meals that I make and it’s my favorite thing to eat for leftover breakfast – weird I know! This version is a delicious twist on the traditional!
Lisa says
Feb 1, 2016 at 9:34 amMade this last night for dinner and it was delicious, everyone loved it! Best ground turkey meatloaf recipe I have made. Great use for zucchini too! This is a keeper recipe!
Lain @ Fast Lain Fitness says
Feb 2, 2016 at 12:50 pmThis looks delicious! This recipe was published just as I was discovering how awesome zucchini and turkey go well together! I made turkey burgers but I’ll try them with little potatoes next time. Love the little potato company.
Here’s my spin on turkey and zucchini: http://www.fastlainfitness.com/2016/01/best-diet-paleo-turkey-burgers-ever.html