4.50 from 72 votes

Mexican Meatloaf

A spicy twist on a classic recipe! This Mexican Meatloaf is packed with beef, cheese, seasonings, chilies and salsa. The result is a mouthwatering meal with incredible flavors that the whole family will love!

Mexican Meatloaf - A classic recipe with a spicy twist! Beef, cheese, seasonings, chilies and salsa results in a mouthwatering meal.


Bored with the same old meatloaf? We’ve all been there! Spice up your dinner menu with this delicious Mexican meatloaf recipe. Taco seasoning, cheddar cheese, green chilies, and salsa give this meatloaf recipe tons of flavor. The salsa and green onion topping are a great way to enjoy meatloaf without the sugar-laden topping most recipes call for. 

Even if you’re not a meatloaf fan, I think you’ll like this easy recipe. The meatloaf is moist, a little spicy, and super easy to make. While it’s best with ground beef, you can also sub ground chicken if you prefer. The meatloaf is very versatile, and you can adjust the spice level easily by choosing a mild salsa and taco seasoning if you only like a little heat, or medium or hot if you like more.

Speaking of delicious meatloaf recipes, you have to try my Classic Meatloaf, Caribbean Meatloaf, Sunday Meatloaf, and Indian Meatloaf if you’re looking for new versions to try. 

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    For now, let’s get to this easy taco meatloaf. Make Meatloaf Monday a regular event for your family!

    Mexican Meatloaf - A classic recipe with a spicy twist! Beef, cheese, seasonings, chilies and salsa results in a mouthwatering meal.

    Why You’ll Love Mexican Meatloaf

    • Fun twist on a classic recipe
    • No sugar-laden sauce — only delicious salsa and green onions on top
    • Can use ground chicken in place of the ground beef so you can buy whichever meat is on sale
    • Spicy, but not too spicy — just the right amount of heat
    • Requires only 10 minutes of prep before you let the oven do the rest
    • Make it hot or mild by adjusting the salsa, green chiles, and taco seasoning
    Mexican Meatloaf - A classic recipe with a spicy twist! Beef, cheese, seasonings, chilies and salsa results in a mouthwatering meal.

    Ingredients 

    • Ground Beef: Use extra lean ground beef to ensure your meatloaf isn’t drowning in grease. You can also sub ground chicken or ground turkey, if you prefer.
    • Tortilla Chips: You’ll use crushed up tortilla chips instead of bread crumbs for this delicious Mexican version of meatloaf. Corn chips will work in place of tortilla chips, too.
    • Cheddar Cheese: Shredding the cheese yourself helps you avoid the preservatives in pre-shredded cheese, but feel free to use the cheddar cheese that’s already shredded if you want. Mild, medium, or sharp cheddar all work here.
    • Salsa: Grab a jar of your favorite salsa! You’ll add it to the meat mixture and to the top of the meatloaf. Try my garden salsa.
    • Eggs: Eggs are essential to a good meatloaf. They add richness, flavor, and moisture, but more importantly, they help bind all the ingredients together.
    • Taco Seasoning: I used a packet of store-bought taco seasoning, but if you make your own homemade taco seasoning, you’ll need about 2 tablespoons.
    • Green Chilies: Add a bit of heat with green chilis. I recommend the mild ones if you’re serving this to kids, but medium works if you’d like more heat.
    • Green Onions: Crunchy green onions add a freshness and flavor right before serving.
    Mexican meatloaf ingredients.
    Steps to make Mexican Meatloaf.
    Steps to make Mexican Meatloaf.
    Mexican Meatloaf - A classic recipe with a spicy twist! Beef, cheese, seasonings, chilies and salsa results in a mouthwatering meal.

    How to Make Mexican Meatloaf

    • Step One: Start by spraying a loaf pan with cooking spray and preheating the oven to 350°F.
    • Step Two: Add ground beef (uncooked), tortillas, some of the salsa, eggs, taco seasoning and green chilies to a large mixing bowl. Get in there with your clean hands to combine. I find using your hands to be the easiest way to mix.
    • Step Three: Add the mixture to the loaf pan. Put it on a baking sheet and into the oven for 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes (60 to 70 minutes). I recommend using a meat thermometer to check for doneness. The thermometer should read at least 160°F. 
    • Step Four: Remove the loaf pan from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before flipping over onto a serving platter. Spread salsa and green onions on top. Slice it up and serve hot.

    Equipment Needed 

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    Mexican Meatloaf - A classic recipe with a spicy twist! Beef, cheese, seasonings, chilies and salsa results in a mouthwatering meal.

    What to Serve with Mexican Style Meatloaf

    Looking for some delicious sides to go with the best Mexican Meatloaf recipe ever? A side of Mexican rice, fresh avocado, some sour cream, and freshly made pico de gallo are delicious accompaniments to this meal.

    If you enjoy more traditional sides, here are some of our favorites:

    This Baked Macaroni and Cheese is the perfect side dish for any meal, and it’s kid-friendly. Cheesy mac goes beautifully with meatloaf.

    Try these Slow Cooker Black Beans with any Mexican-inspired dish.

    Hearty Mashed Potato Casserole is a delicious way to fill hungry bellies.

    And finally, these Southern Style Green Beans are perfect with meatloaf for a Sunday supper. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to them for a little spice. 

    Mexican Meatloaf - A classic recipe with a spicy twist! Beef, cheese, seasonings, chilies and salsa results in a mouthwatering meal.

    Mexican Meatloaf Tips and Tricks 

    • Use your hands to mix beef and other ingredients. While messy, it’s the easiest way to get everything incorporated.
    • Remove the meatloaf from the loaf pan before slicing and serving. It makes it so much easier to get neat slices that way.
    • Use 2 tablespoons of homemade taco seasoning if you don’t have a taco seasoning packet.

    Variations and Substitutions 

    • Add some sweet corn to your meat mixture to give the meatloaf a little crunch and color.
    • Dice some jalapenos into the mixture to take the heat to the next level.
    • If you like your meatloaf extra cheesy, sprinkle more shredded cheddar cheese on top when it’s fresh out of the oven.
    • Swap out the cheddar cheese for a Mexican blend, Monterey Jack cheese, or Pepper Jack cheese if you prefer.
    • Enjoy a slice of meatloaf on a sandwich instead of a standalone entree.
    • Add a dollop of sour cream on top right before serving to cool down the spiciness.
    Mexican Meatloaf - A classic recipe with a spicy twist! Beef, cheese, seasonings, chilies and salsa results in a mouthwatering meal.

    Storage Instructions 

    Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave in 30-second increments until warmed through or in the oven at 350°F until warm.

    Can I Freeze Mexican Meatloaf? 

    Yes, you can freeze Mexican meatloaf. Wrap the slices individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, and place those wrapped slices in a freezer-safe bag or container. Storing individual slices makes it so much easier to thaw and reheat when you know you’re going to have a busy day.

    Mexican Meatloaf - A classic recipe with a spicy twist! Beef, cheese, seasonings, chilies and salsa results in a mouthwatering meal.

    FAQ

    What is the secret to moist meatloaf?

    The secret to moist meatloaf is adding just the right amount of wet ingredients. For this recipe, the wet ingredients are eggs and salsa, though the green chilies and cheese provide some moisture, too.

    Why does my meatloaf fall apart when I cut it?

    You may be cutting it when it’s too hot. Let it cool for a few minutes after removing it from the oven before slicing into it. Transferring the meatloaf to a plate for slicing can also be helpful. However, you may not have enough binding agents in your meatloaf if it’s falling apart. Next time, ensure you have enough eggs and breading (or in this case, chips).

    Is it better to cook meatloaf at 350°F or 375°F?

    For this recipe and most meatloaf recipes, 350°F is just the right temperature. Cooking meatloaf at a higher temperature can dry it out. 

    Can I use ground beef with a higher fat content?

    Yes, you can use 85/15 or 80/20 ground beef for this meatloaf recipe, if you prefer. A higher fat content can yield a juicier meatloaf, but you also have your meatloaf cooking in grease, which some people want to avoid. I prefer using lean ground beef, pairing it with enough wet ingredients to lock the moisture in. 

    If you’re worried about it drying out, cook it covered with aluminum foil until the last 15 minutes of cooking. Then, remove the foil to finish the meatloaf.

    Mexican Meatloaf - A classic recipe with a spicy twist! Beef, cheese, seasonings, chilies and salsa results in a mouthwatering meal.

    More Mexican Inspired Recipes

    If this Mexican style meatloaf recipe has your mouth watering, try some of these other yummy Mexican dishes:

    You’ll also like this Caribbean Meatloaf, Sunday Meatloaf and Dill Pickle Roast Beef.

    Follow me on Instagram @simplystacieblog, Facebook at Simply Stacie, TikTok @simplystacierecipes or Pinterest at @simplystacie and let me know how you liked this recipe and my other recipes.

    If you make the recipe, rate it on the recipe card below and tag me on Instagram and use #simplystacie. I like sharing the photos on my Instagram stories!

    4.50 from 72 votes

    Mexican Meatloaf

    Created by Stacie Vaughan
    Servings 6
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Cook Time 1 hour 10 minutes
    Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
    A classic recipe with a spicy twist! Beef, cheese, seasonings, chilies and salsa results in a mouthwatering meal.

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 2 lb extra lean ground beef
    • 1 ½ cup crushed tortillas
    • 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
    • cup salsa + ½ cup salsa
    • 2 large eggs
    • 1 packet taco seasoning
    • 1 can green chilies 127ml can
    • 3 green onions chopped

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a loaf pan with cooking spray.
    • In a large bowl, add ground beef, tortillas, cheese, ⅔ cup salsa, eggs, taco seasoning and green chilies. With your clean hands, combine the mixture until everything is mixed together well.
    • Add meat to a loaf pan. Place on a baking sheet and put in the oven for 1 to 1 hour 10 minutes, or until meat is cooked. Use a meat thermometer to check.
    • Remove from oven and let cool for a few minutes before flipping over onto a serving platter. Spread ½ cup salsa and green onions on top. Serve hot.

    Video

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1slice | Calories: 590kcal | Carbohydrates: 44.8g | Protein: 44.4g | Fat: 25.2g | Saturated Fat: 7.9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 15.2g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 171mg | Sodium: 1019.4mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 2.8g

    The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

    Course Main Dishes
    Cuisine Mexican
    Keyword beef, ground beef, meatloaf, mexican meatloaf

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    Recipe Rating




    46 Comments

    1. Brenda Komarek says:

      Do you drain the green chilies?

    2. Tami Baker says:

      Easy to make. Definitely different. Right amount of spice. It’s a hit!!

    3. Excellent recipe! We love it!
      Thank you Stacie!

    4. Priscilla Spence says:

      5 stars
      I have made this recipe many times. I do a mild one and a spicy one. I use Doritos, regular or spicy and the green Chiles I use for the spicy one has habaneros in it! It’s a great hit at home and work. I add extra cheese on top and let it melt while it’s still hot. And serve with mild and hot salsa and sour cream. I also substitute ground turkey for the ground beef. Everyone I know loves it! It’s a big hit!

    5. D.K. POPE says:

      I was looking for a meatloaf recipe that had salsa in it, for a Mexican style entrée,, and I think that this may be it. My question is,, Could this be converted into baking in cupcake pans? If so , how much in each cupcake space, and how long to bake?

      1. Yes, it can. I always roll the meat into about a 2 inch ball and place in the muffin pan. Bake at 350F for 30 minutes. Check to make sure they are fully cooked since oven temps can vary. It should be an internal temp of 160F.

    6. Lee Anne Kundert says:

      4 stars
      The taste was awesome but it did fall apart. Next time I’ll add an extra egg and up the spiciness!!!

    7. George Moy says:

      5 stars
      This meatloaf recipe looks like a recipe that I have years ago called Mariachi Meatloaf made by durkee. Using durkee seasoning (taco,oregano and garlic powder)the only difference is that at the end when the meat loaf is done you top off the top of ketchup instead of salsa and you use crackers ( ritz,saltines)mixed with a cup of milk,when you do so, the meatloaf becomes tender,no falling apart, Also if you don’t like the Mexican style meatloaf, you can get a more traditional meatloaf by replacing the taco seasoning and oregano by using a 1/2 teaspoon of sage and dry mustard in the meatloaf mix.

    8. Hi! I made a different version of Mexican Meatloaf several years back and my family LOVED it. I don’t have the recipe I used but yours sounds great and of course I like seeing the positive reviews!!
      I’m assuming that you use uncooked tortillas to work as a binder & add flavor? I just want to be sure cause I’m seeing other recipes that use crushed tortilla chips but I never did either, so this is new for me. Thank you for the recipe & I look forward to making it for my boyfriend’s birthday tonight. He LOVES spicy Mexican food so I know he will love it!

    9. Cathy Smith says:

      5 stars
      I made this and it was delicious!! My husband is very picky but he loved this dish.

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