Sneaky Meatloaf

I came up with this recipe to try to sneak veggies in on Jase, who is NOT a veggie eater. I just threw a bunch of veggies together and mixed it in with his meat so that he wouldn't taste it! It's basically a traditional meatloaf, just using ground turkey instead of ground beef, and NO KETCHUP. Some people, my mother included, love ketchup and use it in their meatloaf, but I don't like ketchup and don't eat it, (it's nothing philosophical, I just think it tastes nasty...haha), so I don't use it. If your kids will run at the site of veggies, then, by all means, douse theirs with ketchup! lol.

This recipe feeds Josh, Jase, and I, but if you have a larger family, bigger appetites, or like leftovers, then just double it. I don't always use the same veggies either. I always use onions, but sometimes sub the carrots and/or bell pepper for squash, chopped fresh spinach, or whatever other veggies that I may have on hand at the time.

1lb ground turkey meat
Approx 1/2-1 cup finely chopped carrots
Approx 1 cup chopped onions
Approx 1/2-1 cup finely chopped bell pepper
1 egg
1/4 cup bread crumbs or crushed cracker crumbs
1 envelope dry onion soup mix
1-2 tsp garlic (to your tastes)
1 Tbsp Thyme (opt.)
1 Tbsp Oregano (opt.)
Salt & Pepper (to your tastes)
1 can Italian style diced tomatoes

Mix all ingredients except tomatoes together thoroughly in a mixing bowl with your hands or a fork. Form into a "meatloaf" shape in a small casserole dish. Pour tomatoes over meatloaf, then refill the tomato can halfway with water and pour this half can of water around the sides of the meatloaf. Place coarsely chopped potatoes, carrots, or any other vegetable of your choice around the meatloaf in the pan. Bake @ 400 degrees for approximately 1 hour.