Turkey Meatloaf

This has become a regular thing in our house.  The texture is light and tender - not dense and tough like some meatloaf - and it brings the flavor.

Some facts about this dinner:

• The first time I made it, my husband thought it was beef.  He couldn't believe it was turkey.
• My kids love this "meatnoaf."  Love.  Really.
• It makes a lot and the leftovers might be even better than the first night.
• It's comfort food.  So you should serve it with mac 'n cheese.  
• I don't eat meatloaf, because meatloaf is gross.  I do eat this, because it's nothing like regular meatloaf and it's delicious.

My husband wanted me to show you his favorite way to eat this meatloaf.  On two slices of white squishy bread, naturally.

So now that we have that out of the way, let's make it.

Saute some onions in a skillet and then add some other yummy delicious things.  This mixture will go inside the meatloaf so we need to let this cool while you get the meatloaf together.

Ground turkey (not turkey breast - it's too lean and will be dry):

And we'll need some eggs and breadcrumbs to hold it all together.

Now you can add the cooled onion mixture.

And mix it together with your hands.  Just combine it - don't over-work it, okay?  Not necessary.

Spread it out on a sheet pan lined with aluminum foil or parchment...

And now we need to mix the sauce.  Because it's all about the sauce.

It'll cover the meatloaf.  That's just how I roll.  No stingy sauces in Pithy's Kitchen.

And then you bake it.  And here's what it will look like.

Y'all, this meatloaf is so full of flavor, you won't even believe it.  If you think you don't like meatloaf (hi, Mom), then please try this.  You can leave a nasty comment if you don't like it.  I'm not worried because I know you'll love it!

Turkey Meatloaf 
Adapted from Barefoot Contessa

1 T olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
2 cloves garlic, grated
1/2 cup chicken stock
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
2 T tomato paste
4 sprigs fresh thyme (about 1 tsp thyme leaves) or 1/2 tsp dried thyme
3 lbs ground turkey (not ground turkey breast - it's too dry)

2 eggs
3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs

Topping:

1 1/2 cups ketsup
2 T brown sugar
2 T vinegar
2 T Worcestershire sauce
2 T Dijon mustard

Heat the olive oil in a medium skillet.  Saute the onion until tender, about 8 minutes.  Add the salt, pepper, garlic, chicken stock, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste and thyme.  Stir to combine and let it come to room temperature while you work on the rest of the meatloaf mixture.

In a large bowl, add the meatloaf, eggs, breadcrumbs and the cooled onion mixture.  Use your hands to combine it, but don't over-work the meat.  Just stir it lightly with your fingers until it's combined.  Form it into a loaf shape and place it on a parchment-paper lined baking sheet.

In a small bowl, combine the ketsup, brown sugar, vinegar, Worcestershire and Dijon.  Pour it over the meatloaf.  Bake in a 350 degree oven for about 45-55 minutes, until cooked through (about 160 degrees internal temperature).  Let it rest for about 5 minutes and then slice and serve.