You'll love this Italian Meatloaf topped with marinara! Use this recipe with ground chicken, turkey or pork. It's easy to make it gluten free or keto too. Make sure you have marinara before starting.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a half-sheet pan with cooking spray.
Place the oats in a small bowl and pour ½ cup water over them to soften them. Set them aside.
Thaw the frozen spinach in the microwave in a microwave-safe bowl, covered with wax paper. (Heat on high for two minutes, then check to see if it needs more time.)
Drain the thawed spinach in a fine-mesh strainer in the sink. When cool, squeeze it dry with paper towels or a kitchen towel that doesn't shed. Add the thawed, dried spinach to a large mixing bowl.
Grate your Parmesan cheese if needed. (I use my blender.) Add the Parmesan to the mixing bowl.
Crack two eggs into a cup, beat them lightly with a fork and add them to the bowl.
Rinse the parsley and snip off the leaves until you have 6 tablespoons. Add the parsley to the bowl.
Press the garlic through a garlic press or peel it and chop it finely with a knife. Add it to the bowl.
Add the Worcestershire, pepper and salt. Then add the ground chicken or turkey and the soaked oats. Mix gently with your hands, just until combined.
Transfer the meatloaf mixture onto the greased pan. Shape the meatloaf into a 1-inch-thick rectangle about 8 inches wide and 12.5 inches long. Wash your hands well afterward.
Top the raw meatloaf with ½ cup marinara sauce and spread it evenly with the back of a spoon.
Bake the chicken or turkey meatloaf for 35-40 minutes, or just until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
To serve, slice the meatloaf in half the long way, then slice each half into pieces four inches long. Top with extra marinara.
Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to four days.
Video
Notes
You'll need marinara for this meatloaf. Make sure you have it ready before starting.What type of chicken or turkey to use
Ground Dark Meat Chicken - This produces the most juicy and flavorful chicken meatloaf, but not all grocery stores carry it. In the Cleveland area, I buy it at Heinen's.
Lean Ground Turkey - This is a great option for a healthy turkey meatloaf that's not dry.
Ground White Meat Chicken - This is what you see in the photos. It's less juicy than the other types of meat, but it works well here, as long as you don't overcook it.
Ground Chicken & Turkey Combo - This recipe calls for two pounds of ground meat, so feel free to use a pound each of ground chicken and ground turkey. It tastes great!
Of course, feel free to use beef, pork or a combination of ground meats for this meatloaf. Just be sure to cook red meat until it's no longer pink inside.Gluten-Free MeatloafTo make this meatloaf gluten free, simply use gluten-free oats.Keto Turkey MeatloafFor a keto-friendly version, just omit the oats and make sure to use my sugar-free marinara, linked above. You'll still need to add the water called for in this meatloaf, to provide moisture.