When I was growing up, for some reason I hated meatloaf.  Every time my mom cooked meatloaf, she had to cook something different for me…sorry to be difficult mom!  I finally overcame my fear of meatloaf and now I love adding a spin to the traditional recipe.  Hence, my recipe today…not your momma’s meatloaf as I call it.  Below is the recipe and pictures!

1 1/2 pounds ground beef, ground turkey, or ground chicken

1/2 cup dried breadcrumbs

1 egg, beaten

6 TBSP pesto

Italian Spiced Tomato Sauce

Spinach, Muenster Cheese, Pesto, Tomato Slices, Black Olives for garnish

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, beaten egg, and pesto

Spray a loaf or bread pan with cooking spray

Coat bottom of pan with tomato sauce (prevents the meatloaf from sticking to pan)

Press 1/2 of ground meat mixture in prepared pan

Layer spinach leaves, cheese, pesto, tomato slices, and black olives

Shape remaining ground meat mixture over the “stuffing”

Bake in oven for 45-50 minutes (for chicken) or 60-65 minutes (for beef)

Garnish with tomato sauce, tomatoes, and olives

Bake for an additional 5-10 minutes

Take out of oven and allow meatloaf to rest for 10 minutes before slicing

If you serve this meatloaf, there is no way it will disappoint anyone!  Do you have a great recipe for a non-traditional meatloaf?  Leave it in the comments below!

Stay hungry…