Pan Fried Meatloaf in Tricolor Peppers Recipe

If traditional meatloaf needs a refresh in your dinner rotation, this pan-fried version delivers big flavor in a fun, colorful presentation. Instead of baking one large loaf, the meat mixture is shaped into pepper ring molds a perfect way to portion and plate. With the bold mix of ground beef, ground turkey, herbs, and spices, each bite is juicy and tender, while the bell peppers add natural sweetness and a pop of color.

The finishing touch? A light pan-fry followed by a tomato-braise in the oven, and a crispy sage leaf garnish that’s surprisingly easy but makes it feel restaurant-worthy.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 1 green bell pepper

• 1 red bell pepper

• 1 yellow bell pepper

• ½ lb ground beef

• ½ lb ground turkey

• 2 slices white bread, cut into cubes

• 1 (28-oz) can crushed tomatoes with basil

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 egg

• 1 small onion, chopped

• 1 tbsp chopped fresh sage, plus 6–8 whole sage leaves for frying

• A few dashes Worcestershire sauce

• A few dashes hot sauce

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

• 1 tbsp oil (for sautéing)

• Vegetable oil (for frying sage garnish)

Directions

1. Prep the Peppers

Preheat your oven to 400°F. Core and seed each bell pepper, then slice into 1-inch thick rings. You should get around three rings per pepper. Place the rings on a nonstick or parchment-lined baking sheet.

2. Make the Meat Mixture

In a large bowl, combine:

• Ground beef

• Ground turkey

• Cubed white bread

• ½ cup crushed tomatoes

• Garlic

• Egg

• Chopped onion

• Chopped sage

• Worcestershire sauce

• Hot sauce

• Salt and pepper

Mix until well combined, then press the mixture firmly and evenly into each pepper ring.

3. Pan-Sear the Meatloaf Rings

Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the stuffed pepper rings on both sides until golden brown about 5 minutes per side.

4. Add Tomatoes and Bake

Pour the remaining crushed tomatoes into the skillet around the meatloaf rings. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the meat is fully cooked.

5. Fry the Sage Garnish

While the meatloaf finishes baking, heat 1 inch of vegetable oil in a small saucepan to 325°F. Fry the whole sage leaves until crisp and golden 1 to 2 minutes. Drain on paper towels.

6. Serve and Garnish

Plate the meatloaf pepper rings and spoon the tomato sauce over the top. Finish with a crispy fried sage leaf for an aromatic, elegant touch.

Why You’ll Love This Dish

This recipe is not only rich in flavor but also naturally portion-controlled and veggie-forward, thanks to the bell pepper rings. Bell peppers are loaded with vitamin C (more than an orange!) and provide antioxidants like beta-carotene.

The mix of ground turkey and beef offers a balance of lean protein and robust flavor, while the sage and garlic bring depth. You can also make this recipe gluten-free by swapping the bread for gluten-free alternatives.

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