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This Toddler Meatloaf Makes The Best Sandwich

Half of a toddler meatloaf sandwich (with pickles) nestled between buns.
Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 50 mins
Rest Time 5 mins
Total Time 1 hr 10 mins
Ratings: 5 from 2 votes
Cuisine:
Meal(s):
Difficulty: Beginner
Servings: 4
Description

We’re not what you would call meatloaf people— frankly, the appeal of it is lost on me. Meat? In a loaf? There are only two things that tells me: it’s gonna be dry and ketchup-y.

But we finally found a way to see meatloaf. Potential: sandwich it. Sandwiches provide texture; sandwiches provide the chance to customize (i.e., sauce to death). Once you put it between two pieces of bun or toast, the whole thing becomes something greater than a loaf of meat; it becomes, at least in the words of my kiddo, a really good hamburger. Good enough for us.

But somehow more than a burger, too. Our take mostly eschews the ketchup-y forward flavors of traditional meatloaf, turning to the flavors of chicken parmesan instead, we’ve even dropped the meat part of it, using turkey instead. Surprise: there’s even some veggies in there–as much for moisture as anything–not that you’ll notice. It’s moist, thanks to two layerings of sauce; it’s texturally, well, more interesting than the usual meatloaf, thanks to plenty of panko in the meat and then layered on top. Smashed between two piece of bread or bun, it feels like anything but meatloaf, which is as good a compliment as a sandwich can get.

(Important note: we use a mini loaf pan to cook this; if you have or want to use a standard bread/loaf pan, double the ingredients.)

Ingredients
  • 1/3 cup Tomato Sauce (crushed tomatoes fine, too)
  • 1/2 tbsp Soy Sauce
  • minced Garlic
  • Mustard
  • Ketchup
  • 1 Orange (we often use clementines)
  • 1 lb ground Turkey
  • 1 Egg
  • 3/4 cup Panko Breadcrumbs (pro tip: use what’s at the bottom of a bag of chicken nuggets)
  • Mayonnaise
  • dried Basil
  • grated Parmesan
  • Buns (recommend brioche or slider rolls)
  • 1/2 small Zucchini (see Adapt section for alternatives if your child doesn’t like seeing green stuff in food))
Instructions
    Prep
  1. 1
    Peel and grate your zucchini. Set your oven to 375. Coat pan in cooking spray and line a flat baking pan with parchment paper.
  2. 2
    Make the sauce: add the tomato sauce and soy to a small bowl, followed by a spoonful of minced garlic, a squeeze each of ketchup and mustard, and a couple shakes of basil. Zest the orange peel into the bowl; mix until blended.
  3. 3
    Make the meat mixture: add the turkey, zucchini, egg, 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs, a small spoonful of mayo, and a couple of pinches of salt to a large bowl; use your hands to gently integrate. Shave and/or spread as much cheese as you’d like over top of the meat blend, then mix once more.
  4. 4
    Fill the loaf pan halfway with the meat mixture, using your knuckles to press and spread the meat to cover the base and sides of the pan. Cover the meat with about half of your sauce, then cover the sauce with the rest of the meat. Add the remainder of the sauce to the top of the meat/pan, then sprinkle remaining breadcrumbs all over the top until they cover the sauce
    5. Cook and Assemble
  5. 5
    Place loaf pan on top of baking pan with parchment—and don’t skip this step; otherwise, drippings will land on the floor of your oven—and cook for 50-55 minutes.
  6. 6
    Let the pan rest for a few minutes. With a knife, slice around the edges to separate the meatloaf from the pan; lift out of the pan. Cut the meatloaf into thin long slices.
  7. 7
    Toast your bread or buns til golden brown. Layer both pieces with mayonnaise or butter, then add meatloaf slices.
    8. Serve
  8. 8

    Treat it like a burger or any other sandwich, really: sauce it up with your child’s usual condiments–mustard helps break some of the richness; pickles are especially good on it–and cut in half or quarters.

    9. Adapt
  9. 9

    If your child is allergic to vegetables showing up in their food, don’t add zucchini; instead, add 1/3lb of a ground meat with 15% or more fat–i.e., beef, pork, lamb

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Read it online: https://newdadskitchen.com/recipe/toddler-meatloaf-sandwich/
The recipe author and his then-infant son
Brad

Brad (the Dad) is the founder and Chief Recipe Officer of New Dad's Kitchen. His own cooking/feeding journey started humbly during his son's infancy, preparing and managing his son's bottle intake in order to support his wife; it has since blossomed into a full-on passion to feed his child and family delicious and healthy meals that can satisfy both a toddler and his very tired parents.