Description
Mexican-inspired taco meatloaf blends hearty ground beef with zesty spices and cheese. Comfort meets fiesta in this crowd-pleasing dish you’ll want to serve again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) ground beef (80/20 or leaner)
- 1 lb (454 g) ground pork or ground turkey (optional, for a mix)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 packet taco seasoning (or 2 tbsps homemade taco seasoning)
- 1 cup (240 ml) shredded Mexican cheese blend
- ½ cup (120 ml) crushed tortilla chips (or breadcrumbs)
- ½ cup (120 ml) salsa
- ¼ cup (60 ml) sour cream (optional, for added moisture)
- ¼ cup (60 ml) diced onion
- ¼ cup (60 ml) chopped cilantro (optional)
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ½ cup (120 ml) salsa (topping)
- ½ cup (120 ml) shredded Mexican cheese blend (topping)
Instructions
- Preparation: Warm the oven to 375°F (190°C) and arrange a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly coat a loaf pan with non-stick spray.
- Mixing: Thoroughly blend ground beef, optional ground pork or turkey, taco seasoning, crushed tortilla chips, shredded cheese, salsa, onion, cilantro, eggs, sour cream, salt, and pepper in a large bowl until ingredients are harmoniously combined.
- Shaping: Craft the seasoned meat mixture into a cohesive loaf, ensuring uniform thickness on the prepared baking sheet or within the greased loaf pan.
- Topping: Lavishly spread salsa across the meatloaf’s surface and crown with the remaining shredded cheese, creating a vibrant and appetizing presentation.
- Baking and Resting: Roast in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C) for beef or 165°F (74°C) for turkey or pork. After removing from the oven, let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes to allow juices to settle and facilitate clean slicing.
- Serving: Slice and embellish with optional garnishes like sour cream, guacamole, or additional cilantro to elevate the Mexican-inspired culinary experience.
Notes
- Manage Meat Moisture: Mix ingredients gently to prevent overworking ground meat, which can create dense, tough texture – light mixing keeps meatloaf tender and juicy.
- Customize Protein Flexibility: Swap ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for leaner options, adjusting cooking time to match protein’s recommended internal temperature for safe consumption.
- Control Spice Intensity: Adjust taco seasoning quantity based on personal heat preference – start with less and gradually increase to balance flavors without overwhelming the dish.
- Prevent Dry Meatloaf: Add moisture-rich ingredients like salsa and sour cream, which not only enhance flavor but also ensure the meatloaf remains succulent during baking process.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg