Turkey Meatloaf

By mirelsonp

Rosemary gives its strong aromatics to this lean turkey meatloaf, covered in a robust tomato and red wine sauce flavored with bacon.

Ingredients

• 8 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 cup fresh bread crumbs of any provenance
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup whole milk
• 1 pound ground turkey
• 1 pound sweet Italian pork sausage, casing removed, crumbled
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 4 ounces bacon, chopped
• 1 medium red onion, finely chopped
• 1 (28-ounce) can whole tomatoes, preferably San Marzano, seeds removed
• 1 cup red wine
• 1/4 bunch mint

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 450°F. Combine 2/3 of the garlic, the rosemary, pepper flakes, bread crumbs, salt and pepper. Add the milk and mix. Add the turkey and sausage and mix once more to combine; don’t over-mix. Transfer onto a board and shape into a fine meatloaf, about 9 inches long and 4 inches wide.

Place in a baking pan with high sides (a 9 x12 pan with 2-inch sides works well), drizzle with about 2 tablespoons of olive oil and bake for 25 minutes, turning halfway through to brown evenly. Remove from the oven and reduce the heat to 325 degrees.

Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan over medium heat, fry the bacon in the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil until it starts to curl and its fat is rendered. Add the onions and remaining garlic, cooking until the onions are translucent, about 4 minutes. Add the tomatoes and wine and bring to a boil.

Pour the sauce over the meatloaf, cover tightly with foil and bake until a meat thermometer inserted at the center reads 150°F, 20 to 30 minutes.

Transfer the meatloaf to a platter and let stand, tented with foil, for 10 minutes. Cut into thick slices, spoon tomato sauce over the top and scatter with torn mint leaves.