Turkey Spinach Meatloaf

I love meatloaf but never felt comfortable serving the traditional kind that is slathered in ketchup. I wanted a fancier version to serve at a dinner party and created this Turkey Spinach Meatloaf that would pair well with mashed potatoes and parsnips or a corn soufflé. Sweet Italian sausage brings a richness to the dish, while garlic, fresh thyme, and mustard powder bring earthiness and tang.  

Serves 6

Ingredients

• 2 pounds ground turkey, room temperature
• 1 pound ground sweet Italian sausage, room temperature
• 1 small onion, small dice
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 stalk celery
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup sliced mushrooms, roughly chopped
• 2 big handfuls of baby spinach
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
• 1 tablespoon mustard powder
• 2 large eggs
• ½ loaf of Italian bread broken into pieces, without crust (2 cups total)
• ½ cup whole milk
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ cup Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon butter, unsalted

Directions

1 | Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2 | Sauté the onion, mushrooms, garlic, and celery in the olive oil until onion and celery are translucent. Add spinach and toss to wilt. Remove from heat and let cool.

3 | Warm the milk slightly in a small saucepan and add the Italian bread. Allow it to soak up, then mash with the back of a fork. Add the eggs, thyme, mustard powder, salt, and pepper to the bread mixture and mix until combined.

4 | In a large bowl, combine both types of meat, the sautéed vegetables, parmesan cheese, and the bread mixture. Using your hands, combine everything until thoroughly mixed through.

5 | Grease the insides of two loaf pans with butter. Divide the meatloaf mixture between both pans, rounding the top with your hands.

6 | Bake for 40-45 minutes.

7 | Allow the meatloaf to rest for 5 minutes before turning out and slicing. Serve hot.

See more of Joseph’s potluck recipe recommendations and tips for perfect potluck etiquette.