This delicious gluten-free turkey meatloaf is juicy, tender, and loaded with flavor from roasted red peppers, basil, and melted mozzarella. Baked in a skillet for a golden, cheesy top, this family-favorite dinner comes together easily and reheats beautifully for busy weeknights.
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❤️ Sandi’s Recipe Summary
This is one of those recipes I like to call a stealth dinner. What is this? It is when dinner tastes so good your kids LOVE it, but they don’t know the wholesome ingredients packed inside. Using ground turkey in this easy meatloaf recipe will be our secret!
Gluten-free turkey meatloaf is a classic meal that never gets old in our house. My kids and Mr. Fearless Dining will ask me to make this recipe often. Serve it with these Gluten-Free Garlic Knots or Gluten-Free Biscuits.
Your kids will also love this easy Gluten-Free Sloppy Joe’s recipe or one of my many gluten-free dinner recipes.
If you enjoy this skillet meatloaf recipe, make my Gluten-Free Meatloaf Recipe with Ketchup Glaze in a skillet too!
Ingredient Notes and Easy Swaps:
For the full list of ingredients and amounts, please go to the recipe card below.
- Ground Turkey – You can use ground meat, including ground chicken, ground beef, or ground pork. Lean beef, ground chicken, and turkey are lean meat options.
- Mozzarella – I used shredded mozzarella. Adds melty richness and keeps the meatloaf moist.
- Egg – Use large eggs to help bind the meatloaf.
- Garlic Cloves – Use fresh or jarred minced garlic.
- Olive Oil – You can use other types of oil if preferred.
- Roasted Red Peppers – I used jarred red peppers, but I include fire-roasting directions below if you prefer to roast your peppers. You could also use sun-dried tomatoes.
- Gluten-Free Panko – You can use gluten free bread crumbs or make these Gluten-Free Bread Crumbs from scratch.
- Parmesan Cheese – Use grated and not shredded Parmesan.
- Basil – Fresh is best, but dried also adds great flavor.
Substitutions:
- To make this recipe dairy-free, use plant-based cheeses like Daiya or VioLife brands.
- To make this recipe egg-free, use liquid Just Egg. This egg replacer works well to bind and add moisture to this recipe.
A Note From My Kitchen
This easy turkey meatloaf with cheese makes a great comfort food meal, and this recipe is easy to make and very forgiving in how you adjust the flavors. I have made this gluten-free meatloaf with ground turkey, ground bison, and Impossible Meat. All three tasted very good. Note the Impossible meat I did add an extra egg to make it moister.
If you are dairy-free, I tested this recipe using VioLife plant-based mozzarella and Parmesan. I like this brand best in this recipe.
How To Make Gluten-Free Turkey Meatloaf (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Add all of your ingredients to a large
If you don’t have ground turkey, swap another ground meat (or meat substitute!)
Step 2: Mix this mixture thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are well distributed. This helps to keep your turkey meatloaf juicy and tender. This is what your raw meatloaf mixture will look like when you are finished.
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You can bake this meatloaf in many different types of pans. I love using these mini cast-iron skillets to make individual serving meatloaf, but you can also use one 10-inch cast-iron skillet, or if you prefer a loaf shape, use a bread loaf pan. I also frequently use my cast-iron 8.5-inch loaf pan.
Step 3: Press the meatloaf mixture into the skillet and add the shredded cheese to the top of the meatloaf.
Step 4: Bake at 350º F for 25-40 minutes. The actual baking time will depend on the size of the pan you use for this recipe. The time I listed is for the mini cast iron skillets. Baking in a loaf pan may take longer.
When the meatloaves are done baking, the internal temperature should be 165º F with a meat thermometer.
This gluten-free turkey meatloaf gets even better the next day! You can also use ground turkey in this Gluten-Free Meatloaf with Oats recipe.
How To Fire Roast Peppers:
Note: I used jarred roasted red peppers, and they should be easy to find in most grocery stores, but you can also fire-roast red bell peppers on a grill or in the oven. To fire roast on a grill, place washed whole red peppers on your grill.
Cook at 400º F. As the skin chars, turn the peppers over. When the peppers are charred all around, remove them from the grill and allow them to cool. Peel off the charred skin and use the soft pepper in this recipe.
Optional Flavor Options:
Here are a few ideas to help you vary the flavors of your gluten-free turkey meatloaf.
- Ketchup – Drizzle ketchup on top of the meat mixture before you add the melted cheese. This makes a yummy ketchup glaze on your meatloaf.
- If you don’t have panko or breadcrumbs, use gluten-free crackers, cereal, and/or tortilla chips (like in this Southwestern Meatloaf recipe).
This dish is very forgiving and versatile. You can adjust the ingredients to fit your tastes. You are going to love this mouthwatering meatloaf masterpiece!
Frequently Asked Questions:
You can tell if the turkey meatloaf is done in several ways. First, look at the color of the ground turkey. If it is cooked all the way through, it is most likely done. Second, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. It should be at least 165º F.
Using a balance of fats and bread crumbs is how I keep this turkey meatloaf recipe juicy. The fats and egg absorb into the breadcrumbs, keeping the turkey moist throughout.
Yes, if you have leftovers, you can freeze this turkey meatloaf. Place it in an airtight container. Keeping the turkey meatloaf in an airtight container will prevent freezer burn and preserve the flavors.
When ready to enjoy it, thaw in the fridge overnight. Then, reheat it in the oven or microwave.
Gluten-Free Side Dish Ideas:
Here are some of my favorite side dishes to serve with gluten free turkey meatloaf:
- Roasted Green Beans – Kids love them.
- Mashed Potatoes with Cream Cheese – Creamy and tangy, perfect for soaking up meatloaf juices.
- Air Fryer Fingerling Potatoes– They are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
- Pan-Fried Sweet Potatoes – These pan-fried potatoes add some sweetness on the dinner plate.
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If you made and enjoyed this recipe, I would be incredibly grateful if you could leave a comment below. This will help others know this recipe is delicious. Thank you!
Gluten-Free Turkey Meatloaf Recipe (Easy, Cheesy, and Juicy)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground turkey * see note
- ⅓ cup gluten free panko * see note
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup chopped fire-roasted red peppers * see note
- 3 tablespoons grated parmesan
- ½ cup mozzarella cheese
- 3 tablespoons fresh basil
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
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Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350º F.
- Add 1 pound ground turkey, 1/3 cup gluten free panko, 2 cloves minced garlic, 1 large egg, 1/4 cup chopped fire-roasted red peppers, 3 tablespoons grated parmesan, 3 tablespoons fresh basil, 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, and 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper to a large bowl.
- Mix the ingredients well. You want the panko and ingredients to be evenly distributed throughout the meat mixture to help retain its juiciness.
- Add the meatloaf mixture to a greased 8×8 baking dish, cast iron pan(s), or loaf pan. Press the meatloaf down gently so it is spread evenly.
- Top the meatloaf with 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese. This cheese topping helps lock in flavor and moisture during baking.
- Bake for 25-35 minutes depending on the depth of the dish you use to bake this meatloaf recipe. I used mini cast iron pans and it took 25 minutes.
- Use a thermometer to make sure the internal temperature of the meatloaf is 165º F to know it is done baking.
Notes
- You can use gluten-free panko or gluten-free bread crumbs. You can also make your own gluten-free bread crumbs at a much lower price than store-bought.
- You can use ground turkey, chicken, beef, or pork in this recipe. You can also use a combination for more flavor. I also tested Impossible Meat. Vegan meat may benefit from an extra egg or Just Egg to help bind and keep in moisture.
- I used jarred roasted red peppers, but you can also fire-roast your own on a grill or in the oven. To fire roast on a grill, place washed whole red peppers on your grill. Cook at 400º F. As the skin chars, turn the peppers over. When the peppers are charred all around, remove them from the grill and allow them to cool. Peel off the charred skin and use the soft pepper in this recipe.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will keep fresh for up to 3 days.
- Freeze leftovers in a freezer safe container. To thaw, microwave or place in the oven at 325ºF with foil placed over the meatloaf.
SPECIAL NOTE
Please know that every gluten free flour blend has a different starch to grain ratio. If you use a blend I didn’t test, my rule of thumb is to add more flour if your dough or batter is wet and add more liquid if the dough or batter is too dry!
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.
I truly hope you enjoy this recipe. I have been testing and creating gluten-free recipes for over 15 years. Creating gluten-free recipes that do not taste gluten-free is my goal for every recipe. Sometimes I only have to test a new recipe a couple of times, and others it takes multiple times. I do this so you get reliable, delicious results every time!
I always use quick cooking oats as a replacement for bread crumbs. Easy and it gives the meatloaf a nice texture and it doesn’t interfere with the other flavors. Thanks. Nice and easy recipe.
That is a great tip, thank you so much, Ann!
This meatloaf looks delicious. A few questions. The shopping list mentions oregano but it is not mentioned in the list of ingredients. If so, is it minced or chopped and are the garlic and oregano minced or chopped. Thanks.
Hi Sharon, I add the basil into the meat but some prefer to sprinkle it on top. I minced the garlic, but chopping very finely works as well. Thank you!
I absolutely love meatball, but never made it with Turkey before. After reading this I’ll definitely be giving it a go 🙂
Awesome. Glad you enjoy meatloaf and want to try using ground turkey.