Description
This Mexican Taco Meatloaf is a flavorful twist on a classic comfort food, combining tangy salsa, spicy taco seasoning, crunchy crushed Doritos, and melted cheese for a satisfying and hearty meal. Perfectly seasoned ground meat is baked to juicy perfection in a loaf pan, topped with taco sauce and additional cheese, creating a delicious centerpiece for any dinner table.
Ingredients
Meatloaf Mixture
- 1 ½ pounds ground chicken, ground turkey, ground beef, or ground sausage
- ¾ cup salsa
- 1 ½ cups Doritos, nachos or another flavor, finely crushed and divided
- 3 tablespoons homemade Taco seasoning or 1 package
- 1 cup onions, finely diced or shredded (or substitute with 1 tablespoon onion powder or 3 tablespoons dried onion flakes)
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1-2 teaspoons cumin
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup shredded cheese (part of the 2 ½ cups total)
Topping
- ½ cup Taco sauce
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheese, more or less as desired
Optional
- Sour cream, for serving, if desired
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly coat a bread or loaf pan with cooking spray and set it aside.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, ¾ cup salsa, 1 ½ cups crushed Doritos, taco seasoning, cumin, 1 cup shredded cheese, finely diced onions, garlic powder, and beaten eggs. Using your hands, mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Form Meatloaf (Option 1): Press half of the meat mixture firmly into the prepared loaf pan, making sure it reaches the edges. Gently press a layer of shredded cheese to cover the middle of the meatloaf, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges. Top with the remaining meat mixture and press to seal the edges.
- Form Meatloaf (Option 2): Alternatively, press all of the meatloaf mixture evenly into the prepared pan, reaching the edges, without adding the middle cheese layer.
- Apply Taco Sauce: Brush taco sauce or salsa generously over the top of the meatloaf.
- Bake Meatloaf: Place the loaf pan in the oven and bake for 60 minutes.
- Add Toppings and Finish Baking: Remove the meatloaf from the oven and brush more taco sauce or salsa over the top. Sprinkle additional shredded cheese as desired. Return the meatloaf to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
- Rest and Serve: Allow the meatloaf to rest in the pan for about 10 minutes before slicing. Transfer to a serving platter, cut into slices, and serve with a dollop of sour cream, if desired. Enjoy your flavorful Mexican Taco Meatloaf!
Notes
- You can use any ground meat like chicken, turkey, beef, or sausage depending on your preference.
- Substitute onions with onion powder or dried onion flakes if fresh onions are unavailable.
- For a spicier kick, increase the amount of cumin or add extra taco seasoning.
- Ensure the internal temperature of the meatloaf reaches 160°F to guarantee it is fully cooked and safe to eat.
- Using crushed Doritos adds a unique crunchy texture and flavor—experiment with different Doritos flavors for variation.
- Letting the meatloaf rest after baking allows the juices to redistribute, making slices juicy and moist.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Mexican
