Turkey loaf recipe your family will love!

                        I got this recipe from Zonyas lickety-split meals and my family loves it! I gave both, her recipe, and some changes I made to it. Her recipe was good, but a little dry and not a lot of flavor, so I added some stuff to it. Give it a try and make it your own way...I believe your family will like it better than the original beef meatloaf recipes.


Tantalizing Turkey Loaf.......This dinner is a far cry from the traditional artery-clogging classic. It’s fast and tasty, too! The applesauce replaces the moisture lost by using extra-lean ground turkey.

Serves 4.

Prep: 20 min.
Cook: 60 min.
Preheat oven to 350°.
Coat an 8" x 8" baking dish with cooking spray.

1 small chopped onion
20 oz extra-lean ground turkey breast... (I use the regular ground turkey...has a little more fat in it, but it isn't as dry.)
2 lg egg whites... (I use 2 whole eggs)
1/2 - 1 tsp Italian seasoning (children prefer less)...(1 tsp is good)
1/4tsp red pepper flakes (opt)
1/2 cup applesauce, unsweetened....(I use the pre-packaged applesauce's in the little cups, it just takes 1)
1/2 tsp salt (omit if bread crumbs are seasoned)
Optional: 1- 4oz can mushrooms chopped.....you may use fresh mushrooms, but remember they hold more moisture and they should be put on a paper towel in the microwave for about 2 or 3 minutes to shrink them down and drain off the fluid.
1/2 cup dry unseasoned or seasoned bread crumbs....(You may need more crumbs if you are using whole eggs and turkey with more fat, you will know you have enough when the turkey loaves you make hold firm)
2 Tbsp. freshly grated Parmesan cheese....(I just put in 3 big pinches of cheese...it's more like 3 Tbsp.)
1 cup spaghetti sauce.....(I like mine saucy, so I use a whole jar, 24 oz., of Prego)
Extra freshly grated Parmesan cheese for topping.

Mix all ingredients together thoroughly,  form meat mixture into 4 equal-sized balls and arrange in dish, press them all down a little so they are flat on top and yes, they will be squished up against each other. Pour sauce over top and spread around evenly, top it off with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, as much as you like. Place in oven and bake for 60 minutes. Remove from oven and let it rest for about 10 minutes before serving.

For a complete healthy meal you may also serve with it: 

4 (4 oz each) baking potatoes or
2 (8 oz each) sweet potatoes
Scrub potatoes, pierce 3 or 4 times with a fork,
wrap in foil and place in oven.
4 cups broccoli or salad with