Some recipes just taste like home, and this one tops the list. Turkey Stuffing Meatloaf is my way of sneaking Thanksgiving comfort into an everyday dinner. The moment it comes out of the oven, you’re hit with that warm, herby aroma that reminds you of holiday meals — but without the big production. I started making this on a whim after spotting a sale on ground turkey at the grocery store right after Thanksgiving. Now, it’s a regular request from my family, especially on chilly evenings when we want something hearty, flavorful, and a little nostalgic.
Why You’ll Love This Meatloaf
This isn’t your average turkey meatloaf. It has that cozy, stuffing-like flavor you love from holiday dinners, but in a weekday-friendly form. Here’s why it works so well:
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All the herbs and seasonings of classic stuffing baked right into the loaf.
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Uses ground turkey for a lighter but still satisfying option.
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The texture is moist and tender, never dry.
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Makes fantastic leftovers — especially fried in a skillet the next day.
One of my favorite parts? I can prep it in about 15 minutes, pop it in the oven, and have plenty of time to whip up a quick gravy or roast some vegetables while it bakes.
Ingredients & Tips for the Best Flavor
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Ground Turkey – Lean, but still flavorful when paired with the right mix-ins.
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Dry Stuffing Mix – I swear by Pepperidge Farm Herb Seasoned Classic. It blends in beautifully without big chunks of bread and has the perfect seasoning.
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Onion, Celery & Garlic – For that signature stuffing flavor base.
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Eggs – Keep the loaf together without making it dense.
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Bell’s Seasoning – The secret weapon here. Just a small amount gives the meatloaf that traditional stuffing taste.
Personal Tip: If you have leftover homemade stuffing from the holidays, you can use that instead of the boxed mix — just adjust the amount so the mixture holds together.
How I Make It
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Prep the Veggies – Dice the onion and celery finely so they blend into the meatloaf without leaving big crunchy bits.
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Mix Everything in a Bowl – Ground turkey, stuffing mix, eggs, sautéed veggies, garlic, seasoning. I mix gently with clean hands so I don’t overwork the meat.
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Shape on a Sheet Pan – I form mine into a loaf shape right on a parchment-lined pan instead of using a loaf pan. This way, more edges get browned and flavorful.
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Bake Until Cooked Through – Usually about an hour at 350°F. While it bakes, I make a quick gravy or toss root veggies into the oven as a side.
Serving Ideas
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Classic Dinner – Serve thick slices with mashed potatoes, roasted carrots, and gravy.
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Open-Faced Sandwiches – Toast bread, top with a hot slice of meatloaf, and smother in gravy.
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Skillet-Crisped Leftovers – The day after, I slice it up and brown each side in a little butter. Those caramelized edges? Unbeatable.
Turkey Stuffing Meatloaf
All the cozy flavors of Thanksgiving, baked into one hearty loaf! This turkey stuffing meatloaf blends savory ground turkey with seasoned stuffing, tender vegetables, and warm spices. Drizzle with rich gravy, add a dollop of cranberry sauce, and you’ve got a weeknight dinner that tastes like a holiday feast.
Ingredients
- 4 cups dry herb-seasoned stuffing mix, divided
- 1 quart turkey stock, divided
- 6 tbsp butter
- 1½ cups diced onion
- 1 cup diced celery
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 1 tbsp poultry seasoning (such as Bell’s)
- 4 large eggs, beaten
- 2 lbs ground turkey (85% lean, mix of white and dark meat)
- 1½ tsp kosher salt (adjust if stock is salty)
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
For the Gravy:
- Remaining 2 cups turkey stock
- 3½ tbsp butter
- 5 tbsp all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp browning sauce (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For Serving:
- Cranberry sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 cups of stuffing mix with 2 cups of turkey stock. Let sit to absorb the liquid and soften.
- Meanwhile, melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, celery, garlic, and poultry seasoning, cooking until the vegetables are tender. Set aside to cool slightly.
- Pulse the remaining 1 cup of stuffing mix in a food processor until finely ground; set aside.
- Add the eggs, ground turkey, salt, and pepper to the softened stuffing mixture. Gently mix until combined. Stir in the cooled vegetables and ground stuffing mix, folding until evenly distributed.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly coat with cooking spray. Shape the meat mixture into a loaf with damp hands to smooth the surface and prevent cracks.
- Bake for 55–60 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 155°F. Remove from the oven, tent loosely with foil, and rest for 15 minutes before slicing.
- While the meatloaf cooks, prepare the gravy. Heat the remaining stock in a saucepan. In a separate skillet, melt butter and whisk in the flour, cooking for 2–3 minutes. Slowly whisk this roux into the hot stock until thickened. Stir in browning sauce, if using, and season to taste.
- Serve thick slices of meatloaf with hot gravy and cranberry sauce on the side.
Nutrition Information
Yield
12Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 450Total Fat 27gSaturated Fat 11gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 14gCholesterol 170mgSodium 598mgCarbohydrates 26gFiber 3gSugar 11gProtein 27g
Dinnerfocus.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Final Thoughts
Turkey Stuffing Meatloaf has become one of my favorite “comfort food without the fuss” recipes. It brings all the best parts of Thanksgiving stuffing to the dinner table any time of year — and it’s just as good on day two. Whether you’re making it for a weeknight family dinner or to relive a bit of holiday flavor in the middle of February, it’s the kind of meal that warms you from the inside out.
Try other Ground Turkey recipes:
