Substitute a combination of ground pork and ground veal for the ground turkey. The cooking time remains the same.The slow cooker produces wonderfully moist meatloaf, which is especially important when cooking with lean ground turkey.
Makes 4 to 6 servings | Prep time: 15 minutes | Minimum cook time: 3 hours in a medium slow cooker
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 celery rib, chopped
1 pound ground turkey
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano or 2 teaspoons dried
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Vegetable oil spray
For serving: Herbed Tomato Sauce or purchased marinara sauce
1. Heat oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, garlic, and celery. Cook, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes, or until onion softens. Scrape mixture into a mixing bowl. Add turkey, eggs, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, tomatoes, parsley, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix well to combine.
2. Grease the inside of the slow cooker insert liberally with vegetable oil spray. Fold a sheet of heavy-duty aluminum foil in half, and place it in the bottom of the slow cooker with the sides of the foil extending up the sides of the slow cooker. Form meat mixture into an oval or round, depending on the shape of your cooker, and place it on top of the foil.
3. Cook meatloaf on Low for 6 to 8 hours or on High for 3 to 4 hours, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of meat registers 165°F.
4. Remove meatloaf from the slow cooker by pulling it up by the sides of the foil. Drain off any grease from the foil, slide meatloaf onto a serving platter, and serve hot with Herbed Tomato Sauce or marinara sauce.
Note: The dish can be prepared up to 2 days in advance and refrigerated, tightly covered. Reheat it, covered, in a 350°F oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until hot.
Variations:
Substitute a combination of ground pork and ground veal for the ground turkey. The cooking time remains the same.
Place half the meat mixture in the slow cooker, and then add a row of halved hard-cooked eggs. Top with remaining meat mixture.
Place half the meat mixture in the slow cooker, and then layer a mixture of 1 (10-ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained well, mixed with 1 large egg in the center. Top with the remaining meat mixture.