Vegetable and mozzarella mini turkey meatloaves

Individual turkey meatloaves with grated carrots, yellow squash, and zucchini and stuffed with mozzarella cheese are sure to be a family favorite. 

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Meatloaf is one of (if not my all-time) favorite comfort foods. I love a plate of meatloaf with mashed potatoes, gravy, and green beans! I wanted to make a bit lighter version of meatloaf for the summer and one that contained some summer vegetables. 

Sometimes when I was a kid my mom would make mini meatloaf and put mozzarella cheese in the middle, so I wanted to do that for my kids as well. Now that's their favorite way to eat meatloaf.

I also add a bit of a glaze on this meatloaf with ketchup. I like a glaze on meatloaf, and my kids will also dip it in more ketchup.

Using dark meat turkey and adding a bunch of vegetables keeps the meatloaf nice and moist. It's a delicious way to get some more vegetables into your dinner and also to use up some of those summer garden vegetables. 

All the colors of the vegetables add nice color to this dish as well. The turkey is specked with green, yellow, orange, and even a little bit of purple-ish from the red onion.  

Mini meatloaf is nice because everyone gets their own individual meatloaf. Kids usually enjoy this; however, you can absolutely slice these, or cut them in half for children since it may be too much for them.

Serve this meatloaf with a side vegetable, side salad, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, or any other of your favorite side dishes. I served this batch with sauteed zucchini and yellow summer squash along with some garlic mashed potatoes.

Looking for more ways to use up your summer zucchini? Check out this post of 45+ Recipes for Zucchini Season.

Yield: 4 servings

Author: Amy (Savory Moments)

Vegetable and Mozzarella Mini Turkey Meatloaves

Individual turkey meatloaves with grated carrots, yellow squash, and zucchini and stuffed with mozzarella cheese are sure to be a family favorite.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground dark meat turkey
• 3/4 cup quick cooking oats
• 1 large egg
• 1/3 cup packed finely grated carrot
• 1/3 cup packed finely grated zucchini
• 1/3 cup finely grated yellow squash
• 1/4 cup finely grated red onion
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley leaves, minced
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon ketchup
• about 4 oz. mozzarella cheese

for the glaze

• 2-3 tablespoons ketchup
• dash of Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• pinch of salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Place the turkey through ketchup in a large bowl and mix it together using your hands until all the ingredients look combined and evenly distributed. Flatten it in the bowl and score it with your hand into four equal sections.
3. Slice the mozzarella into four equal slices and then each slice into a few cubes.
4. Pick up the first section of the meat mixture and form it into a log shape. Put 1/4 of the mozzarella into the middle and then pat and shape the meat around it into a small loaf shape.
5. Place on the baking sheet. Continue with the other three and place them all on the baking sheet so they aren't touching.
6. In a small bowl use a small spoon to stir together the glaze. Spread a light layer on each meatloaf until it is all used.
7. Bake for 10 minutes and then reduce the oven to 375 degrees. Bake for another approximately 20-25 minutes, until all the meatloaf is golden and cooked through (165 degrees).
8. Let rest for a few minutes and serve with your choice of sides. I served with sauteed zucchini and yellow squash and mashed potatoes.

Notes

I use the small holes on a box grater for the vegetables to make them very fine.

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I hope you give these vegetable and mozzarella mini turkey meatloaves a try! Let me know in the comments below.

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This post was originally published in 2018 and has been updated in 2023 with a recipe card, new text, and more to improve reader experience.

Check out these other family favorite dinner recipes:

Chicken Taco Rice

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Turkey Taco Crescent Pie 

Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken & Tomato Pasta