Description
Spicy Mexican Taco Meatloaf brings zesty southwest flavors directly to your dinner table, blending classic comfort with bold, authentic seasonings. Hearty beef mixed with traditional taco spices creates a memorable meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Base:
- 1.5 pounds ground beef (80-85% lean)
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 0.5 cup salsa
- 1 can (4 ounces) diced green chilies
- 0.5 cup corn kernels
- 0.25 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Topping:
- 0.5 cup salsa
- 0.5 cup shredded cheese
- Sour cream
- Avocado slices
- Cilantro
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and prepare a loaf pan with non-stick spray or parchment paper.
- Mix ground beef with crushed tortilla chips in a large bowl, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
- Incorporate egg, taco seasoning, and salsa into the meat mixture, blending thoroughly with a fork or hands.
- Fold in diced onions and bell peppers, creating a uniform texture throughout the mixture.
- Gently integrate shredded cheese, being careful not to overmix and compress the meat.
- Transfer the meat mixture to the prepared pan, shaping it into a compact loaf with gentle pressure.
- Place the loaf in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
- Remove from oven and allow the meatloaf to rest for 5 minutes, which helps retain moisture and makes slicing easier.
- Slice and serve with optional garnishes like additional salsa or a dollop of sour cream for enhanced flavor.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner, lighter version that still packs tons of flavor.
- Customize the heat level by choosing mild, medium, or spicy taco seasoning and salsa to match your taste preferences.
- Crush gluten-free tortilla chips as a replacement for breadcrumbs to make the recipe completely gluten-free and suitable for those with dietary restrictions.
- Enhance meal prep by preparing the meatloaf mixture ahead of time and refrigerating until ready to bake, which helps develop deeper flavor profiles and saves cooking time.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 335 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg