Recipe Background
Isn't it the most wonderful thing when you find a healthier version of your childhood favorite, and it actually tastes good?! Like, Whole Grain Meatloaf for instance. When you get the craving for that nostalgic staple, but are trying to make better choices for your body, this lower-carb, lower-fat version is a great option! It swaps the fatty beef for some heart-healthy ground turkey, while still providing lots of savory, sweet, and tomatoey flavors. Who knew you could take care of yourself while enjoying it?! Hurray for this Whole Grain Meatloaf!
Isn't it the most wonderful thing when you find a healthier version of your childhood favorite, and it actually tastes good?! Like, Whole Grain Meatloaf for instance. When you get the craving for that nostalgic staple, but are trying to make better choices for your body, this lower-carb, lower-fat version is a great option! It swaps the fatty beef for some heart-healthy ground turkey, while still providing lots of savory, sweet, and tomatoey flavors. Who knew you could take care of yourself while enjoying it?! Hurray for this Whole Grain Meatloaf!
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup quinoa
- 1/2 cup plus 1 teaspoon water divided
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 small onion chopped
- 1 large clove garlic chopped
- 1 (20-ounce) package turkey ground
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon hot pepper sauce
- 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce divided
- 1 egg
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
- In a saucepan over high heat, combine the quinoa and 1/2 cup of the water and bring to a boil.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the quinoa is tender and the water is absorbed, about 15-20 minutes. Set the quinoa aside to cool.
- Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add the onion to the skillet and cook, stirring regularly, until it softens and turns translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add the garlic to the onion and cook for 1 minute.
- Transfer the onion mixture from the heat to cool.
- In a large bowl, combine the turkey, the cooked quinoa, the onion mixture, the tomato paste, the hot sauce, 2 tablespoons of the Worcestershire sauce, the egg, the salt, and the pepper and stir until well combined.
- Shape the turkey mixture into a loaf and place it onto the prepared baking sheet.
- In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, the remaining Worcestershire sauce, and the remaining water.
- Rub the brown sugar paste over the top of the meatloaf.
- Bake the meatloaf until it is no longer pink and a thermometer inserted into the center reads at least 160 degrees F, about 50 minutes.
- Allow the meatloaf to cool for 10 minutes.
- Serve.
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