Quinoa Turkey Meatloaf

Start by combining the water and quinoa in a saucepan, then bring to a boil over high heat. Gradually decrease the temperature to medium-low and let it simmer, covered, until the quinoa is tender and all the water has been absorbed, taking around 15 to 20 minutes.

Next, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a skillet, heat some olive oil over medium heat and sauté the onion until it becomes soft and translucent, approximately 5 minutes. Add garlic to the skillet and cook for an additional minute before removing it from heat and letting it cool slightly.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, 2 teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce, and 1 teaspoon of water until you get a smooth paste.

In another bowl, combine the turkey, cooked quinoa, onion mixture, egg, 2 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, hot sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix everything together until the mixture is well combined and quite moist. Shape it into a loaf shape and place it onto the prepared baking sheet.

Spread the brown sugar paste evenly over the top of the loaf.

Finally, bake the loaf in a preheated oven until it's no longer pink in the center, taking around 50 minutes. To check if it's cooked properly, insert an instant-read thermometer into the center and make sure it reads at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Let it cool for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.