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!

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!

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

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.

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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• Loaf pan
• Mixing bowls
• Measuring cups
• Meat thermometer

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 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.

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.

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.

More Mexican Inspired Recipes

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

• Mexican Spaghetti Recipe
• Mexican Tater Tot Casserole
• Mexican Meatballs
• Mexican Stuffed Peppers
• Slow Cooker Beef Enchilada Casserole
• Taco Casserole
• Pico de Gallo
• Fish Tacos
• Chicken Tortilla Soup

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

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