Easy Cheesy Taco Meatloaf Recipe
This Easy Taco Meatloaf Recipe is just what you need when you’re stuck in a dinner rut. Loaded with all of the taco flavors you love, this delicious meatloaf recipe is perfect for weeknight meals!
Table of Contents
This Taco Meatloaf recipe is great because it has all of the flavors you crave from a taco. With ingredients like salsa and taco seasoning in the meatloaf you know you are going to have something delicious.
You can top the meatloaf like you would a taco and who doesn’t love taco toppings? Add a spoonful of sour cream, sliced olives and cilantro for a great flavor.
It is a fun twist on two classic dinner recipes. Taking a taco and classic meatloaf recipe and mashing them together makes for a crowd pleasing meal! Add this recipe to your Taco Tuesday menu today.
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What goes into this recipe
- Lean Ground Beef: Use leaner ground beef to ensure that you have some fat but not so much that the meatloaf is swimming in it.
- Eggs: The perfect ingredient for binding everything together.
- Bread Crumbs: Adding unseasoned bread crumbs gives the meatloaf a little more filler without any added flavors that wouldn’t go with the taco theme.
- Salsa: Whatever kind your family loves and you have on hand will work wonderfully.
- Taco Seasoning Mix: One packet of your favorite brand of taco seasoning gives the meatloaf fantastic taco flavor.
- Salt, Pepper and Garlic Powder: Adding a few additional spices that you already have on hand amps up the taste.
- Shredded Cheese: I love to use a Mexican blend but use whatever you have in the refrigerator and will melt well. Cheddar cheese and pepper jack cheese would also be great options.
- Taco Sauce: This is where you can adjust the heat and go with mild, medium or hot taco sauce.
See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Recipe Variation Ideas
- Use a different kind of ground meat. Try lean ground turkey, ground chicken or ground pork instead.
- Omit the bread crumbs and use finely crushed tortilla chips to get the flavor of corn chips into the meatloaf.
- Try a salsa verde or pico de gallo instead of a traditional salsa.
- Create your own homemade taco seasoning mixture instead of using a packet.
- Top the meatloaf with more salsa instead of taco sauce.
How to make Easy Taco Meatloaf
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Combine the ground beef, eggs, plain bread crumbs, salsa, taco seasoning, salt, pepper and garlic powder in a large mixing bowl.
- Mix ingredients together until just combined, making sure not to over mix {I love to use my hands}. It starts just like this Classic Crock Pot Meatloaf.
- Add ground beef mixture to a prepared baking dish. You can use a standard loaf pan, or shape the meat into a loaf shape of a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil.
- Bake your Taco Meatloaf for about 1 hour, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C). In the last 10-15 minutes of cooking, spread the taco sauce evenly over the top of the meatloaf
- Sprinkle the shredded cheese on top. Return the meatloaf to the oven and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove the meatloaf from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving. Serve warm topped with fresh cilantro and tortilla strips {if desired}.
Expert Tips
- When combining the ground beef with other ingredients, be gentle and avoid over mixing. Over mixing can make the meatloaf tough. Mix just until the ingredients are combined evenly.
- Don’t forget to add the taco sauce and shredded cheese about 15 minutes before the meatloaf if finished. It needs that amount of time for the taco sauce to warm up and the cheese to melt nicely.
- Invest in a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the meatloaf. It should reach 160°F (71°C) to ensure it’s fully cooked and safe to eat.
- After removing the meatloaf from the oven, allow it to rest for a few minutes. This helps the juices redistribute and makes slicing easier.
- Serve the best Mexican meatloaf recipe with a few tortilla strips and chopped cilantro {or parsley}. It will make it look beautiful and taste amazing.
Storing and Freezing
Store: The best way to store leftover meatloaf is to put it into an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to 3 days.
There are a couple of ways to reheat the cheesy meatloaf recipe. The microwave is always a great option but you could also cut it into slices, place them onto a baking sheet and cover with foil. Then place in the oven on 350 degrees until heated through.
Freeze: To freeze the meatloaf, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place it in an airtight container. It can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
Recipe FAQs
Meatloaf can fall apart when it doesn’t have enough of a binder in the recipe. In this case we are using eggs and they are an excellent way to keep your meatloaf from falling apart.
Adding a few tablespoons of milk or even Greek yogurt work great too!
Adding a can of Rotel to the meatloaf mixture instead of salsa would be a wonderful substitute. Rotel is a combination of diced tomatoes and green chilies which would flavor the meatloaf perfectly.
Sure! My Classic Crock Pot Meatloaf is a big hit with readers, so making a taco version is a great idea! Just add the meat mixture to a slow cooker that has been lined with either a Crock Pot liner or foil that has been sprayed with non-stick spray and form into a loaf-like shape.
Turn the Crock Pot to low and cook for 6-8 hours or on high for 4-6 hours.
In the last 20-30 minutes add the taco sauce and shredded cheese to the top of the meatloaf. Return lid and continue to cook on low for at least 20 minutes or until topping is heated/melted.
Do you love using your Crock Pot? Try these awesome recipes…
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Easy Cheesy Taco Meatloaf Recipe
Ingredients
Meatloaf
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup plain bread crumbs
- 1 ½ cups salsa
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Topping
- ¾ cup taco sauce
- 1 cup shredded cheese
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Combine the ground beef, eggs, plain bread crumbs, salsa, taco seasoning, salt, pepper and garlic powder in a large bowl. Mix ingredients together until just combined, making sure not to over mix {I love to use my hands}.
- Transfer the meat mixture to a baking dish. You can use a standard 9×5-inch loaf pan, or shape the meat into a loaf shape on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil or parchment paper to prevent sticking. Bake the meatloaf in the preheated oven for approximately 1 hour, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
- In the last 10-15 minutes add the taco sauce and shredded cheese to the top of the meatloaf. Return to the oven and continue to cook on low for at least 10 minutes or until topping is heated/melted. Remove the meatloaf from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving. Store leftover meatloaf in the refrigerator for up to a 3 days.
Notes
- Gently mix meatloaf ingredients to avoid toughness. Combine just until evenly mixed.
- Rest the cooked meatloaf briefly to redistribute juices before slicing.
- Top with taco toppings like tortilla chips, cilantro and sour cream.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
