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Turkey Meatloaf Muffins with salsa and cheese are bursting with flavor. The whole family will love this healthy, 5-ingredient recipe.

Healthy turkey meatloaf muffins with salsa, oats, and cheese on a plate.

I have the secret to making salsa meatloaf a top-requested dinner. Serve it in a fun-sized muffin shape. Oh, and mix in lots of cheese.

This recipe is super tender and tasty. Plus, these cups are portion-controlled, kid-friendly, and cook very quickly. Gourmet meatloaf and buffalo chicken meatloaf can be served the same way.

More reasons to love this recipe:

It only requires a few ingredients you can easily keep on hand for last-minute dinner plans.
It's gluten-free, egg-free, and naturally low in carbs.
It can be made ahead of time and frozen before or after cooking.
Having some of these in the freezer is a great strategy for a quick and easy dinner.

Jump to:

Ingredients
Directions with Pictures
How Long to Cook Turkey Meatloaf
What to Serve with Turkey Meatloaf Muffins
Storage, Reheating, Freezing
More Meatloaf Recipes
📋 Recipe

Ingredients

There are 5 basic ingredients in these turkey meatloaf muffins, not counting salt and pepper.

Ground turkey - Turkey that's 93% lean / 7% fat is ideal for moist turkey meatloaf. A higher fat content will be a little greasy. And if the turkey is too lean, the meatloaf tends to be on the dry side. Ground chicken, beef, or pork can be substituted for turkey.
Salsa - Use your favorite salsa, so long as it is not runny. The type used will completely transform the flavor of this recipe. We often use peach salsa, and it makes these turkey meatloaf muffins something special! You can also use a chutney like we did for mango chutney turkey burgers.
Cheese - Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, or Cotija cheeses compliment the Tex-Mex flavors.
Oatmeal - We used old-fashioned oats. There's no need to grind them, but you can. Quick-cooking oats or panko breadcrumbs can be used instead.
Onion - Use red, white, or sweet onions that have been diced.

If you love adding a punch of flavor to your dishes with salsa, be sure to check out 3-ingredient slow cooker salsa chicken and pork tenderloin carnitas. They're easy, flavorful, and perfect for busy days.

Please refer to the recipe card below for the full ingredient list and detailed instructions.

Directions with Pictures

Here's how to make ground turkey meatloaf in a muffin pan:

Numbered collage of pictures to make turkey meatloaf muffins: 1 Bowl with mixture, 2) meat mixture in muffin tin, 3) salsa on mixture, 4) meatloaf cut in half.

In a large bowl, combine oats, shredded cheese, diced onion, salsa, salt, and pepper. Once these ingredients are thoroughly combined, add ground turkey and mix just until everything is mixed together.
- Tip: To avoid "tough" muffins, don't handle and mix the turkey mixture more than you have to!
- Note: Combining all the other ingredients before adding the ground turkey ensures even distribution.
Portion the turkey meatloaf mixture into a muffin tin coated with non-stick spray. Use a quick-release ¼ cup scoop (if you have one) so they are all the same size. Press the mixture down with the back of a spoon.
Top with more salsa!
Bake uncovered for about 20 minutes.

How Long to Cook Turkey Meatloaf

Cook turkey meatloaf muffins to an internal temperature of 165°F. The inside should not be pink. We highly recommend using a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches a safe temperature.

The time it takes to cook the meatloaf mixture in a 350°F oven depends on how you shape it. Muffins cook more quickly than a loaf, which is why we love them.

But you have lots of options for cooking 1 pound of ground turkey meatloaf:

Muffin pan (yields 12) - 15-20 minutes.
Large Meatballs (yields 12) 15-20 minutes. Use a ¼ cup scoop to create large meatballs that cook on a sheet pan.
One-pound loaf - Cooked in a loaf pan or shaped into a loaf and cooked on a sheet pan. It generally takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Three mini loaves - Using smaller loaf pans generally takes about 30 minutes.
Meatballs - Use a 1.5 Tablespoon scoop to make about 36 meatballs that bake in the oven for about 15 minutes. Check out muffin tin meatballs for inspiration.
Flat like a burger! Bake or cook on the stovetop or grill. It will take about 15 minutes.

Ground turkey loaf topped with salsa on a platter.

What to Serve with Turkey Meatloaf Muffins

Any side dishes you would serve with traditional meatloaf are fantastic with these ground turkey meatloaf muffins, too. Here's a healthy menu plan:

Mashed cauliflower from frozen cauliflower rice or mashed potatoes.
Crispy green beans you make in an air fryer.
Corn on or off the cob. You can cook corn in the husk in minutes!
Street corn in a cup (elote) perfectly compliments the salsa flavoring!

Plate of turkey salsa meatloaf muffins stacked on top of each other.

Storage, Reheating, Freezing

Refrigerator - Store leftover meatloaf in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Freezer - Store cooked leftovers in an airtight container or plastic bag, with excess air removed. They're best enjoyed within 2-3 months.
Reheat - To reheat in the oven, place muffins with a few drops of liquid in a pan. Cook in the oven at 250 °F for 20-25 minutes or until heated to an internal temperature of 165 °F. Alternatively, cover the meatloaf with a wet paper towel or microwave cover and heat for several minutes. Use short bursts to avoid overcooking.
Freezer Meal - Prepare and freeze uncooked turkey meatloaf in the muffin tin. Wrap the muffin pan in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. Be sure to label it. Store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. Defrost in the refrigerator overnight and cook as you usually would.

Closeup view of a meatloaf muffin made with turkey and salsa.

More Meatloaf Recipes

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