This sausage meatloaf with peppers and onions is juicy and filled with flavor. It’s everything you love about the Italian American but formed into a tasty, healthy meatloaf recipe. Make this on Sunday for the week or freeze to enjoy later in the month.
This post contains affiliate links. I am an affiliate for Amazon Associates and other brands and earn a small commission on qualifying purchases. You’re by no means obligated to use my links but, if you do, thank you for supporting Organize Yourself Skinny.
It probably doesn’t come as a surprise to see me sharing another turkey meatloaf recipe. Meatloaf is one of my favorite dinner recipes. It’s filled with protein, pairs perfectly with many different side dishes, and takes on whatever flavors I mix in.
Our favorites are Italian Meatloaf, Mexican Meatloaf, Cheeseburger meatloaf, Greek Meatloaf, and this Meatloaf with Sausage, Peppers, and Onions.
Reasons you’ll love this recipe.
- Lean and tasty. Ground turkey and Italian poultry sausage keep this recipe low in fat and calories but still big on flavor.
- Easy to prepare. Mix all of the ingredients, form into a loaf, and bake!
- Make-ahead. My favorite thing about meatloaf! It reheats excellent, so make it on Sunday for the week or freeze it (raw or cooked) for dinner later on.
Ingredients
- Green bell pepper and white onion. I love using green bell pepper, but any variety will work.
- Garlic. For a little extra flavor.
- Ground turkey. I use lean 93/7 ground turkey in this recipe. I recommend purchasing high-quality organic (if you can) ground turkey for the best flavor.
- Poultry Italian sausage. Ground poultry sausage or links will work. If you use links, then remove the casing before adding it to the meatloaf mixture.
- Eggs. This is the main binder that keeps the meatloaf ingredients together and give it structure.
- Worcestershire sauce. I use Worcestershire sauce in most of my ground turkey recipes, especially meatloaf. It gives the lean meats a meatier rich flavor.
- Granulated garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning. My favorite blend of seasonings for Italian-inspired recipes.
- Breadcrumbs. Another ingredient to help bind the ingredients together to form a loaf. I use unseasoned regular breadcrumbs because I like to add my seasonings. However, seasoned breadcrumbs will work. You can also use panko breadcrumbs. For gluten sensitivity use gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- Parmesan cheese. This grated cheese adds more flavor.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese. You can also use shredded provolone or a pizza blend mix.
- Marinara sauce. Keep this recipe simple by using a high-quality jarred pasta sauce like Rao’s Marinara. Of course, if you have homemade spaghetti sauce in the freezer or fridge, then use that.
FAQS
You can, but I don’t recommend it. Peppers and onions release water as they cook, and this can cause your meatloaf to be mushy or fall apart. Cooking them before adding to the meatloaf not only gives excellent flavor but also cooks down the liquid.
Mushy meatloaf is most likely the result of too much liquid from the vegetables or if the ground turkey was already on the wet mushy side. If you notice the mixture soggy, add in some extra breadcrumbs until you get it to the correct consistency, and it easily forms into a loaf.
Cooking Tips
- You can swap in ground beef and ground pork sausage. Ground turkey and poultry sausage keep this recipe lean, but you can easily make it with beef and pork.
- You can control the spiciness. Use medium or hot Italian sausage, depending on the level of heat you want. Also, you can mix in crushed red pepper flakes for extra spice.
- Make sure to drain the vegetables. This step is essential because too much liquid will create a mushy meatloaf. I use a slotted spoon to remove the vegetables from any liquid in the pan after they cook.
- Add more breadcrumbs if you need to. If the meatloaf mixture seems too wet, or you struggle to form it into a loaf, add in just enough breadcrumbs to soak up the extra liquid.
- Finely chop the vegetables. This helps to keep the structure of the meatloaf, and you’ll get veggies in each bite.
- Cool the vegetables quickly. Pour the marinara sauce over the top of the cooked veggies to quickly cool them down. Of course, you can make the the vegetables ahead of time and keep them in the fridge until you’re ready to make the meatloaf.
- Other glaze options. Any type of spaghetti sauce will taste delicious, but if you’re out then use the classic ketchup topping. Spread a cup ketchup over the top of the meatloaf in place of the sauce. You can even swap it in for the sauce in the meat mixture.
For more cooking tips, see my tutorial on preparing a delicious healthy meatloaf recipe.
Supplies
How to Make Sausage Meatloaf with Sausage, Peppers, and Onions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. While the oven is heating up, cook the veggies.
- In a small skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat and then sauté the chopped onions and peppers until the peppers become soft and onions are translucent. Add the garlic and cook for a couple of minutes or until fragrant. Place the veggies into a large bowl and set them aside to cool.
- After the vegetables cool, mix in the ground turkey, sausage, eggs, Worcestershire sauce, spices, bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, 1 cup of shredded cheese, and 1/2 cup of the sauce.
- Place the meat mixture on a rimmed baking pan or baking dish coated with cooking spray and form it into a loaf. You can also use a meatloaf pan.
- Spread the rest of the sauce over the top of the meatloaf.
- Bake for 60 – 65 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
- Take it out of the oven and sprinkle the rest of the cheese over the top. Broil for a couple of minutes until the cheese melts.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool for about 5 minutes before serving.
Serving suggestions
This Italian Sausage Meatloaf with peppers and onions goes excellent with a variety of side dishes.
Here are our favorites:
Pasta with marinara sauce or lemon butter sauce.
For more ideas, see this post I put together on healthy meatloaf sides.
Storage Tips
- Cook the Sausage Meatloaf entirely and then store it in an airtight glass container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave for 2-4 minutes or until hot.
- You can also make meal prep bowls to have ready for lunch or dinner during the week; I put a slice of meatloaf, rice or pasta, and vegetables in a glass container for dinner.
- You can also freeze these bowls to have them ready for meals later on. For more information, see my tutorial on how to freeze meatloaf.
Other Healthy Meatloaf Recipes
Sausage Meatloaf with Peppers and Onions
This sausage meatloaf with peppers and onions is juicy and filled with flavor. It’s everything you love about the Italian American but formed into a tasty, healthy meatloaf recipe. Make this on Sunday for the week or freeze to enjoy later in the month.
#wprm-recipe-rating-1 .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-full svg * { fill: #ffffff; }#wprm-recipe-rating-1 .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-33 svg * { fill: url(#wprm-recipe-rating-1-33); }#wprm-recipe-rating-1 .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-50 svg * { fill: url(#wprm-recipe-rating-1-50); }#wprm-recipe-rating-1 .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-66 svg * { fill: url(#wprm-recipe-rating-1-66); }linearGradient#wprm-recipe-rating-1-33 stop { stop-color: #ffffff; }linearGradient#wprm-recipe-rating-1-50 stop { stop-color: #ffffff; }linearGradient#wprm-recipe-rating-1-66 stop { stop-color: #ffffff; } Print Pin RateServings: 8 people
Calories: 347kcal
Ingredients
- 1 green bell pepper seeded and finely chopped
- ½ white onion finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 lb Italian poultry sausage casings removed
- 2 eggs beaten
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground pepper
- 1/2 cup unseasoned bread crumbs can also use Panko breadcrumbs
- 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella divided
- 1 cup marinara sauce or any spaghetti sauce divided
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. While the oven is heating up, cook the veggies.
In a small skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat and then sauté the chopped onions and peppers until the peppers become soft and onions are translucent. Add the garlic and cook for a couple of minutes or until fragrant. Place the veggies into a large bowl and set them aside to cool.
After the vegetables cool, mix in the ground turkey, sausage, eggs, Worcestershire sauce, spices, bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, 1 cup of shredded cheese, and 1/2 cup of the sauce.
Place the meat mixture on a rimmed baking pan or baking dish coated with cooking spray and form it into a loaf. You can also use a meatloaf pan.
Spread the rest of the sauce over the top of the meatloaf.Bake for 60 – 65 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
Take it out of the oven and sprinkle the rest of the cheese over the top. Set the oven to broil.
Broil for a couple of minutes until the cheese melts.
Remove from the oven and let it cool for about 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Storage Tips
Cook the Sausage Meatloaf entirely and then store it in an airtight glass container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave for 2-4 minutes or until hot. You can also make meal prep bowls to have ready for lunch or dinner during the week; I put a slice of meatloaf, rice or pasta, and vegetables in a glass container for dinner. You can also freeze these bowls to have them ready for meals later on. For more information, see my tutorial on how to freeze meatloaf.Nutrition
Serving: 1g | Calories: 347kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 130mg | Sodium: 820mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g
Did you make this recipe?
Have you tried this Sausage Meatloaf recipe? If so, I’d love for you to rate this recipe and leave a comment below. We all learn from each other’s experiences. Also, it would be awesome if you could share a picture on Instagram and tag it #organizeyourselfskinny. I can’t wait to see it!
