This post is sponsored by the Certified Angus Beef® brand in conjunction with a social media campaign through Sunday Supper LLC. All opinions are my own.
Southwest Meatloaf is a classic meatloaf recipe with a southwestern spin. Crushed tortilla chips and bottled salsa give this easy meatloaf a zesty edge.
When I didn’t like meatloaf…
For years I didn’t eat meatloaf. There was just something about it that I disliked. It was basically a brick of meat. Meatloaf like Southwest Meatloaf has changed my ways!
But like many things (like mayonnaise, sour cream and chili) when I started to make it myself, from scratch, I developed a liking for the dish. And then realized, I really like meatloaf!
I just had to reframe my thinking. Instead of thinking of it as a brick of meat being served by a pearled housewife in petticoats, I started to think of it as a giant gourmet meatball being served by a modern day woman in her active wear (read yoga pants even though I didn’t go to the gym today.)
BEST Meatloaf Recipes
The best meatloaf has two elements:
- meat mix
- meatloaf glaze
The mix can be any ground meat, but I prefer just beef or primarily beef mixed with veal and pork.
For healthy meatloaf, try ground turkey, which can be substituted in nearly any meatloaf recipe. Ground chicken works too, but I recommend mixing it with ground beef. You’ll need a little fat to prevent drying and give it flavor.
Meatloaf Topping
Traditional meatloaf glaze is nothing but ketchup, baked sweetened tomato. I like to have fun with my meatloaf glaze.
For my traditional meatloaf recipe (even though I stuff it with shredded veggies) I use the same glaze as my famous Grape Jelly Meatballs.
You can also go without, but then the top might get a little dry.
My Italian Meatloaf uses marinara sauce. And now, my Southwest Meatloaf uses a zesty lime laced ketchup. Deliciousness!
Southwest Meatloaf Ingredients
- Ground Beef- lean is fine for this recipe
- Tortilla chip crumbs – these are used in lieu of breadcrumbs as binding agent
- Smoked paprika– or regular
- Ground cumin
- Garlic powder
- White pepper– a little more mild than black, which you can also use
- Kosher salt– less salty than other salts
- Chunky salsa- instead of doing all that chopping, let the salsa do it for you!
- Pepper jack cheese– I like spicy cheese, but you can also use cheddar or plain monterrey jack.
- Eggs– a binder for all this deliciousness.
- Ketchup, lime juice and onion powder– for the glaze.
Ground Beef
But the real highlight of this easy dinner idea is the meat itself. I use Certified Angus Beef® brand. You heard it before and you’ll hear it again, it is my brand of choice for all my beef.
By looking for this logo, I am guaranteeing quality meat, passing 10 specifications in three areas: marbling and maturity, consistent sizing and tenderness and quality appearance. Nor more comparing packages to pick the best looking and taking a chance on flavor.
Meatloaf Temperature
Some feel that cooking meatloaf can be tricky to get just right. Check to make sure your meatloaf internal temperature should be 160 degrees. Use a meat thermometer
to check instead of cutting into your precious loaf.
I also like using a meatloaf pan
instead of a loaf pan or molding on a rimmed baking sheet. A meatloaf pan has drip pan, allowing fat to drain while cooking.
The insert can be removed to use the loaf pan for all other breads. You can also free form a loaf on a rimmed baking sheet.
Check out some of my other favorite ground beef recipes using Certified Angus Beef® brand.
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Southwestern Meatloaf
Ingredients
Meatloaf:
- 2 pounds Certified Angus Beef® brand ground beef
- 1/2 cup tortilla chip crumbs
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup salsa
- 1 1/2 cups pepper jack cheese , shredded
- 2 large eggs , lightly beaten
- Cooking Spray
Meatloaf Glaze:
- 3 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Dash of fine sea salt
Corn Relish:
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 ears of corn , corn cut off
- 1/2 white onion , chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a meatloaf pan with cooking spray.
- In a large mixing bowl, stir together tortilla chip crumbs, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, Kosher salt and white pepper. Add salsa, stir to moisten and allow to sit for 10 minutes.
- Add ground beef, breaking apart as you go. Top with beat eggs and shredded pepper jack cheese.
- Using clean hands, lightly toss. Do not over mix. Overmixing will result in tough meatloaf.
- Gently pack into meatloaf pan. If you don’t have a meatloaf pan, you can form it into a rectangle on an aluminum foil lined rimmed baking sheet.
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes.
- Meanwhile, stir together ketchup, lime juice, onion powder and salt. Set aside.
- In a medium skillet, heat melt butter over medium heat. Add corn, onion, fine sea salt and smoked paprika. Cook until onions are soft and corn is a bright yellow. Remove and set aside until ready to serve.
- Remove meatloaf and brush ketchup mixture over top of meatloaf. Bake for an additional 10-15 minutes uncovered or until a meat thermometer registers at 160 degrees.
- Let stand for 5-10 minutes before slicing.
- Serve with a serving of corn relish.
- If you’ve tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was!
nice
I actually made it and it was the best meatloaf I’ve ever had. The flavors were perfect. Mine was made with local farmed ground chicken. and I added some Chipolte because I like a little heat. Ate with a side of corn & black beans.
Thank you, I don’t think I’ll be making meatloaf any other way again.
Thank for stopping by to let me know! It is also one of our favorites and puts such a fun spin on an old classic.
Meatloaf, I must admit, is one of my guilty pleasures. I don’t think I make it more than once a year, but oh how I love it! I really like the flavors you have going in this recipe – the tortilla chips especially. (I sometimes use Chili Fritos for my meatloaf.)
I love a simply twist to on a classic dish!
I was the EXACT same way. I hated meatloaf … until I started making it myself. And yes, it’s basically a giant meatball. Who doesn’t love meatballs?? I like your spin on this. Can’t wait to try it!
Love this flavorful spin on meatloaf! Also crushed tortilla chips -YUM!
I love meatloaf! It reminds me of my grandmother, who used to make it every week when we came for Friday lunch. Your meatloaf looks so good!
We do love our meat and we always look for high-quality beef. This certified beef certainly is high in quality. I really like the flavors you use in your meatloaf and it looks anything but a hard brick of meat.
I love meatloaf, it’s seriously one of the best comfort foods and I love this Southwestern twist!