Poor meatloaf. I think meatloaf tends to get a bad rap, but I will always have a soft spot for it because it was the first dish I ever made for Apolinaras. I was a baby of 22 and just starting to get comfortable in the kitchen when I invited him over for dinner. We’d only been dating for a few weeks, but he had actually already cooked for me and made a lovely bacon wrapped chicken, which only made me a bit more nervous about my own culinary skills. I decided on meatloaf and roasted potatoes with green beans because it was cold out and I was craving something comforting. Even though I was living in grad student housing and had a very small kitchen with maybe 3 feet of counter space, I managed to get the meatloaf in the oven in plenty of time, only to make a frantic phone call to my mom half an hour later because I thought I had burned the onions (don’t worry, they were actually just caramelized!). Much to my relief, everything somehow came out perfectly and Apolinaras was hooked – he still requests meatloaf often to this day!
I’ve experimented with various versions over the years and this is my favorite. It’s very moist and flavorful because it’s packed with cooked veggies and sun dried tomatoes. No sauce is needed – it is absolutely perfect on its own!
Sun Dried Tomato Turkey Meatloaf
Printable Recipe
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 carrots, chopped
4 shallots, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
3/4 cup sun dried tomatoes, chopped
1 1/2 pounds ground turkey
1 large egg
1/4 cup crushed croutons
1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon salt
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350˚F. Heat olive oil over medium high heat in a large skillet and sauté carrots for 5 minutes. Add shallots and pepper and sauté 5 more minutes or until veggies are soft. Add garlic and sauté one additional minute.
Mix cooked veggies, sun-dried tomatoes, ground turkey, egg, crushed croutons, parmesan cheese, oregano, basil, and salt in a large bowl with hands until well combined. Form meat into a loaf and place in a greased pan. Bake meatloaf at 350˚F for 40 to 45 minutes or until cooked through. Makes 6 servings.
Nutrition: 262 calories, 4.0g fat, 2.0g fiber, 27.7g protein per serving
Cost: $1.30 per serving
Cake, Batter, and Bowl features my original recipes for quick, healthy, and inexpensive weeknight meals and indulgent weekend treats. Enjoy!
Meatloaf does get a bad rap. You make it look and sound delicious, though.
I love your beautiful meatloaf story! It’s so wonderful having special dishes with memories attached…
Your meatloaf is SO gorgeous, too – I love how veggie-packed, colorful, and healthful it is! Thank you for the incredible recipe!
This sounds really good…
and keep those great stories coming
I love the story behind your meatloaf! I’ve neither made nor actually tasted meatloaf before, but yours looks yummy so I might need to try it out.
This looks super-delicious. I love how it’s chock full of good-for-you goodies. Isn’t cooking for boys for the first time stressful! I can’ see why he was hooked, however. If you made this for me, I might marry you on the spot.
This looks wonderful!!! I will definitely be trying it! I love your little meatloaf love story – so cute!!! Dinners with special meanings to them are always the best ones
Mmmmmm. I cannot remember the last time I had meatloaf. You are making me think I should make some soon.
I haven’t tried ground turkey…we don’t have it here in local supermarkets but it looks really really good..
We’re big meatloaf lovers at my house, even my 2-year old really digs it. I guess if you slather anything in ketchup-y goodness, it’s going to be good!
Your pictures are FANTASTIC! Do you have any tips for a novice? What kind of lens do you typically use?
I think men in general just like meatloaf. I know mine does, especially the day after on a sandwich. I like the addition of sun dried tomatoes to yours.
Oh yum! I love meatloaf! It’s the perfect comfort food and is the best leftover. It’s also so versatile – you can make it with ground turkey, beef, sausage or a combo, and you can add whatever you want inside. I’ve never tried adding sun dried tomatoes but that sounds like a great idea! It’s so cold and rainy out, the perfect time for this dish! DELISH!
Sounds great! You know, I have never made meatloaf. I am sure my hubby would love it.
I love meatloaf with ground turkey, and the sun-dried tomatoes sounds delicious in this too!
Wow Kerstin, this fabulous way to make meatloaf. It’s healthier, but not lack of flavor.
This looks delicious.
What a cute first dinner story! I absolutely love homemade meatloaf. It definitely suffers a bad rap sometimes though.
I love meatloaf! This looks wonderful with the sun-dried tomatoes! Lovely flavors. Sweet story.
What a great idea. Sun dried tomatoes add a bit of magic to so many dishes.
This sounds so good. I love that you used turkey. That’s the funniest story. You won his heart with that meat loaf.
I love the addition of sundried tomatoes in the meatloaf, fabulous idea!
I actually like meatloaf! Love the addition of sundried tomatoes….delicious.
This looks awesome! I love Sun Dried Tomatoes and would have never thought to add them to meatloaf! P.S. What a cute story about your first meatloaf! Wish I remembered the first thing I ever made for my hubby!
I have not made my own meat loaf yet,sounds awesome with turkey and all the veggies
I think your version of meatloaf looks delicious, studded with veggies and I am sure the flavor is amazing with the sun-dried tomatoes. My hubs doesn’t like it at all though. Maybe this one could change his mind!
oh my how yummy! love sun dried tomatos with anything!
I could eat this meatloaf all week long….
This meat loaf looks fantastic!! I love veggies in my my meat loaf & this one looks absolutely fabulous!!!!
MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM,…a way trough a man’s heart is trough his stomach,…hahahahaha,…
This sounds incredible!!!!
Such a cute story!
a way through men heart is through their stomach
this was never a favorite of mine growing up, but i’ll have to give this version a try
This would be fantastic in a sandwich … the hubbs is always looking for different lunch sandwich options .. I think I’ll surprise him with this one!
You’re right. Meatloaf totally gets a bad name and I HATE that!! Because I think it’s quite delicious. Yours looks absolutely fantastic and the recipe has been bookmarked!
Oh, this looks tasty…and I love your meatloaf story
It definitely gets a bad rap…which sucks, cuz I actually really like meatloaf!
This turkey meatloaf looks yummie and very healthy, I bet that the sun dried tomato makes it very tasty
I always have loved meatloaf– I guess if you grow up with it, it kinda sticks! Although now I don’t eat
red meat, so this turkey version would be great!
How cute! I love your story. I remember the first meals I cooked for Bryan. Not very successful, but such great memories.
The meatloaf looks amazing. I love the veggies and sundried tomatoes in them. Yummy! You might just have converted me
Thanks everyone! I’m glad there are other meatloaf lovers out there – it comes together quickly and is so delicious when done right!
Great story!
I love the new take on meatloaf. It is one my my future hubby’s favorite meals.
Thanks for the recipe!
kudos to you for bringing meatloaf the attention it deserves! lovely story–this post put a smile on my face and a hunger in my belly.
three cheers for sun-dried tomatoes!
What a fantastic meatloaf recipe! I love everything in it! Am bookmarking!