Hey taco lovers! Are you in the mood for some serious flavor fusion? Then you have got to try this delicious Taco Meatloaf. This recipe takes all the traditional elements of a classic meatloaf but kicks things up a notch with some Mexican-inspired flair. Picture tender ground beef, loaded with vibrant spices, and then topped with a zesty tomato sauce and gooey melted cheese—it’s basically a taco in meatloaf form.
Reasons You Will Love This Taco Meatloaf Recipe
- Easy everyday ingredients that you should have on hand and that are budget-friendly.
- Kid-friendly flavors and ingredients, which is good for picky eaters.
- A ground beef dinner idea, that is a twist on a classic meatloaf.
- Made from scratch.
- Cheesy meatloaf that melts in your mouth.
Ingredients And Variation Options
Ground beef: Lean ground beef forms the base of this meatloaf. You can also use lean ground turkey, ground chicken, or a mixture of ground meats.
Onion: You can substitute onion with green onion, shallots, or leeks. If you are not a fan of onions you can leave it out of the recipe. I find the onion really elevates the flavor but is not a must-have ingredient.
Minced garlic: Garlic enhances the taste of the meatloaf and can be replaced with garlic powder or roasted garlic.
Corn: Corn gives the meatloaf a sweet and crunchy texture. Fresh corn or frozen corn (thawed) can be used as well.
Nacho cheese Doritos: Crushed Doritos add a cheesy and slightly spicy flavor to the meatloaf. Feel free to use regular tortilla chips, crushed corn chips, pork rinds or bread crumbs.
Rotel: Rotel adds a tangy and slightly spicy kick to the meatloaf and can be substituted with pico de gallo, or diced tomatoes with a pinch of chili flakes for that extra kick.
Cheddar cheese: Mexican cheese blend, pepper jack cheese, or Monterey Jack cheese can be used instead.
Eggs: Eggs act as a binder, holding the ingredients together. Flax eggs or 1/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce can be used instead of room-temperature eggs. I will say swapping out the egg you will find that it does affect the texture.
Taco seasoning: This spice blend adds traditional taco flavors like cumin, chili powder, and paprika to the meatloaf. Feel free to make your own taco seasoning instead of buying a packet of store-bought taco seasoning.
Enchilada sauce: The sauce adds moisture and a tangy flavor to the meatloaf. Salsa, ketchup, or tomato sauce mixed with a pinch of chili powder or hot sauce can be used instead. You can also make your own zesty taco sauce for this recipe.
INGREDIENTS
- 2 pounds lean ground beef 93% lean 7% fat
- 1 small onion finely diced (about 1 cup)
- 3 cloves garlic minced (about 1 tsp)
- 1 cup canned corn drained (or fresh corn)
- 1 cup crushed nacho cheese Doritos
- 1 can Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies, drained
- 1 cup cheddar cheese blend shredded and divided
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning mix
- 1/2 cup enchilada sauce
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a loaf pan with olive oil or nonstick cooking spray or line it with aluminum foil.
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, diced onion, minced garlic, canned corn, crushed Doritos, drained Rotel, about ½ a cup shredded cheddar cheese, room temperature eggs, and taco seasoning. Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Transfer the ground beef mixture into the lined loaf pan, pressing it down to form a loaf shape.
- Pour the enchilada sauce over the top of the meatloaf mixture, spreading it evenly.
- Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the center of the loaf reaches 160°F (71°C). I like to use an instant-read thermometer to do this.
- Remove the cheesy taco meatloaf from the oven and top it with enchilada sauce and the remaining cheese. Return it back into the oven for 3-5 minutes or until the cheesemelts. Remove the meatloaf from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing.
- Serve your moist meatloaf warm, garnished with diced tomatoes, sliced jalapeños, or any desired toppings. Enjoy your flavorful Mexican taco meatloaf!
