Missing those cozy Thanksgiving flavors? My Turkey & Stuffing Meatloaf brings all that holiday magic to your dinner table any time of year! Think perfectly moist turkey meatloaf infused with classic stuffing, herbs, and topped with rich gravy – it’s pure comfort food heaven!
If you love comforting dinner recipes, try my Classic Chicken & Wild Rice Casserole next. Find all my Dinner Recipes here!
I’m so excited to share this recipe with you! This meatloaf transforms those post-holiday turkey markdowns into something absolutely magical. And let me tell you – my taste testers claim this is the best meatloaf they’ve ever tried! The secret? We’re using actual stuffing mix instead of plain breadcrumbs, plus a special blend of seasonings that’ll make your kitchen smell just like Thanksgiving Day.
What You’ll Need:
- Ground Turkey: We’re using 85% lean for the perfect moisture balance
- Stuffing Mix: Trust me on this one – Pepperidge Farm Herb Seasoned is a game-changer
- Fresh Aromatics: Onions, celery, and garlic create that classic stuffing base
- Special Seasonings: Bell’s Seasoning brings that holiday magic
- Turkey Stock: For maximum flavor (homemade is amazing, but store-bought works too!)
Let’s Talk Turkey:
Listen up – while any ground turkey will work, here’s why I recommend 85% lean:
- Perfect balance of lean meat and fat
- Keeps the meatloaf moist and tender
- Adds richness to the flavor
- Helps bind everything together
The Secret to Perfect Texture:
Here’s where the magic happens! Two key steps make this meatloaf extra special:
- Pre-soaking the stuffing in stock creates the perfect texture
- Processing some stuffing into fine crumbs gives us an amazing crust
- Sautéing the vegetables adds depth and ensures they’re perfectly tender
Pro Tip: Always fry up a tiny test patty before baking the whole loaf. This lets you adjust seasonings perfectly!
Turkey & Stuffing Holiday Meatloaf
Ingredients
For the Meatloaf:
- 4 cups herb seasoned stuffing mix divided
- 4 cups turkey stock divided
- 6 tablespoons butter
- 1½ cups onion finely diced
- 1 cup celery finely diced
- 2 teaspoons fresh garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon Bell’s Seasoning
- 4 large eggs beaten
- 2 pounds ground turkey 85% lean
- 1½ teaspoons kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
For the Gravy:
- 2 cups reserved turkey stock
- 3½ tablespoons butter
- 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon Kitchen Bouquet
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. In large bowl, combine 3 cups stuffing mix with 2 cups stock. Let soften.
- Melt butter in pan over medium heat. Cook onions, celery, garlic until soft. Add Bell’s Seasoning. Cool slightly.
- Process remaining cup of stuffing into fine crumbs. Mix ground turkey, eggs, salt, and pepper into soaked stuffing. Fold in cooled vegetables and crumbs.
- Line sheet pan with parchment and spray. Shape mixture into loaf with wet hands. Bake 55-60 minutes to 155°F internal temperature. Rest 15 minutes.
- For gravy: Melt butter, whisk in flour. Cook 2-3 minutes. Gradually whisk in hot stock. Add Kitchen Bouquet. Simmer until thickened.
Notes
- Use thermometer for perfect doneness
- Keep hands wet when shaping
- Can be made ahead and frozen
- Perfect for leftovers
