Ground turkey and chicken can be pretty bland and dry, but this turkey meatloaf is far from it! Salsa, tortilla chips, and cheese give it a Mexican flair that shouts flavor. The mixture also works well for turkey burgers. You may use whatever type of tortilla chips you prefer, but I like the nacho flavored ones best. You may well find this meatloaf replacing your favorite beef meatloaf. It's that good!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour, 15 minutes
Yield: 6 to 8 servings
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1/2 pound chicken sausage, casings removed and discarded (may substitute pork sausage)
- 1 cup prepared chunky salsa (spicy or mild), divided use
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 3/4 cup crushed tortilla chips (measured after crushing)
- 1/2 cup minced onion
- 1/4 cup diced sweet green bell pepper (sweet capsicum)
- 3/4 cup fine-shredded pepperjack, Monterey Jack cheese, or Mexican cheese blend, divided use
- 1 Tablespoon minced fresh cilantro
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon ground roast cumin or traditional cumin powder
- Freshly ground pepper to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon liquid smoke, optional
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 375 F.
Using a large serving fork, combine turkey, chicken sausage, 1/2 cup of the salsa, eggs, crushed tortilla chips, onions, bell peppers, 1/2 cup of the cheese, cilantro, salt, cumin, pepper, and liquid smoke. Mix until well-combined, but do not over-mix. Spoon into a loaf pan. Top with remaining 1/2 cup salsa and 1/4 cup cheese.
Bake for 1 hour. Drain any liquid, then let rest for 15 minutes before cutting the turkey meatloaf to serve.
Yield: 6 to 8 servings
Fiesta Turkey Loaf or Burgers Recipe Photo © 2010 Peggy Trowbridge Filippone, licensed to About.com, Inc.
Using a large serving fork, combine turkey, chicken sausage, 1/2 cup of the salsa, eggs, crushed tortilla chips, onions, bell peppers, 1/2 cup of the cheese, cilantro, salt, cumin, pepper, and liquid smoke. Mix until well-combined, but do not over-mix. Spoon into a loaf pan. Top with remaining 1/2 cup salsa and 1/4 cup cheese.
Bake for 1 hour. Drain any liquid, then let rest for 15 minutes before cutting the turkey meatloaf to serve.
Yield: 6 to 8 servings
Fiesta Turkey Loaf or Burgers Recipe Photo © 2010 Peggy Trowbridge Filippone, licensed to About.com, Inc.
