Happy Labor Day everyone! I’ve been hosting some friends this weekend so Sunday setup has come into Monday! I know you’re all dying to know what I’ve decided to make for lunch this week. I’ve decided on meatloaf. It’s important to get started on the meal prepping for the week right now if you haven’t. There’s still time for you!
So why meatloaf? I can make one big pan of it and it will last the entire week for the two of us. Willie doesn’t like the abundance of ground turkey/chicken that we have around the house, but it works for lunch. It’s easier. It makes a lot of food which is what I’m going for when I’m planning the meals in the house.
- 1/2 cup cooked quinoa
- 1 lb extra lean ground turkey
- 1 lb lean ground turkey
- 1/2 white onion, diced
- 1/2 cup cooked spinach
- 1/4 cup egg whites
- 1 tbsp Mama Francesca’s parmesan cheese and garlic
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flake
- 1/2 tsp dried basil
- 1 cup ketchup (or any sauce of your choice)
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Combine all ingredients <strong>except for ketchup</strong> (or sauce of your choice) in a large mixing bowl. Use your hands to mix everything together.
- Put in a greased loaf pan. I used a olive oil cooking spray and a 9×5 loaf pan.
- Spread the ketchup or sauce of your choosing over the top of the loaf.
- Bake uncovered for 50 mins hour.
- Take out of the oven and put the parmesan cheese on top and place back in the oven for 10 mins.
- Let cool 10 mins before serving.
This week I used the leftover sauce from last week instead of ketchup or bbq sauce. I prefer to use a homemade bbq sauce or a hoisin based sauce but this week I used what was left in the fridge. I’m thrifty!
Why is my meatloaf different? I use quinoa instead of bread crumbs because quinoa is a superfood. Okay, that’s not really why I use it but quinoa adds a little extra protein punch in the meatloaf and it’s a grain. I think it helps keep the meatloaf moist and is a better binder than bread crumbs.
I also love that there are so many options with meatloaf. You can add all the veggies you want. Some people put carrots or bell peppers in their meatloaf. You can change the theme of the meatloaf too from Mexican to Italian to Greek. It’s really whatever you want. Just as long as you have the basics the possibilities are endless!
On the side, we are having mashed sweet potatoes and steamed broccoli. Nothing fancy but it’s some great food.
Do you like meatloaf? Do you like a traditional meatloaf or do you like to mix it up?
