This Cheese Stuffed Taco Meatloaf takes a dish that's often thought of as a humdrum dish over-the-top. Seasoned lean ground beef is stuffed with spicy pepper-jack cheese then mixed together with our favorite fiesta seasonings and crushed Doritos. This recipe turns this taco meatloaf into a homemade fiesta that you can make any day of the week.
Easy Cheese Stuffed Taco Meatloaf Recipe
I tend to only share recipes here on my website that are family tested and approved. Being a lifelong fan of meatloaf, this spiced-up taco style variation is one more way for my meatloaf loving family to enjoy it. In keeping with the theme, I like to serve this cheese stuffed taco meatloaf with Spanish rice and roasted Mexican corn or cheesy mashed potato casserole and a simple salad on the side. If you're in the mood for a piece of buttered honey cornbread that would be nice addition, too.
How to Make the Best Cheese Stuffed Taco Meatloaf Recipe
If your family is like mine, this cheesy taco meatloaf will satisfy their craving for a South-of-the-border style meal without breaking the bank. Tacos in any form always makes my family happy.
- Ingredients you'll need to make Cheese Stuffed Taco Meatloaf: 2 ½ pounds lean ground beef, taco sauce, crushed Doritos, taco seasoning, cumin, lemon pepper, garlic powder, large eggs, diced onion, sliced pepper jack cheese and shredded pepper jack cheese for the top.
- You could adapt this meatloaf recipe using ground turkey or ground chicken.
- If you'd like to add extra kick to this Mexican food inspired meatloaf you could add diced jalapeno peppers to the meatloaf mix.
- For a milder flavor of meatloaf, you can use the same amount of colby jack cheese or monterey jack cheese in place of pepper jack cheese. Please note you'll need sliced cheese for the inside of the meatloaf and shredded cheese for the topping.
- If you want to assemble this taco meatloaf in advance you can. To do so, assemble it completely per the recipe then cover it and chill in the refrigerator overnight. It's best to wait and pour the taco sauce on top as recommended per the steps in the recipe. Should you choose to assemble this meatloaf ahead of time, you can use an alternate pan or skillet instead of cast iron.
- It's fine to use any similar size deep dish pan or baking dish to make this meatloaf.
- Store leftover taco meatloaf in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave to prevent it from drying out.
- Side dishes to serve with this recipe for Taco Meatloaf: Buttermilk Ranch Mashed Potatoes, Mexican Street Corn Salad, Jalapeno Pepper Jack Cornbread and Easy Refried Beans just to name a few.
More Taco Inspired Recipes to Make
Taco flavors can be transformed in many ways to make another family pleasing meal. You may also like to try these recipes:
- Open faced Taco Stuffed Bread is a fun way to enjoy all of the same flavors of beef tacos without tortillas.
- Cozy up to a bowl of Taco Soup for supper.
- Beer Battered Fish Tacos melt in your mouth.
- Let your crockpot simmer the chicken for Crockpot Pulled Chicken Tacos.
- See also this recipe for Taco Cupcakes from Life in the Lofthouse.
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Helpful Kitchen Items:
Cheese Stuffed Taco Meatloaf
Ingredients
- 2 ½ lb lean ground beef 90/10
- 1 ½ cup taco sauce divided
- ⅔ cup crushed nacho cheese flavored Doritos divided
- 1 1.25 oz packet taco seasoning
- 1 medium sweet onion finely diced
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon lemon pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Mexican oregano
- 2 large eggs beaten
- 1 8 oz block pepper-jack cheese, sliced into 14 even slices
- 1 cup shredded pepper-jack cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly brush a 10-inch cast iron skillet or similar oven safe skillet or baking dish with oil. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the ground beef, ½ cup taco sauce, ⅓ cup crushed Doritos, taco seasoning, onion, cumin, lemon pepper, garlic powder, oregano and eggs. Using your hands mix until the ingredients are fully combined.
- Press ½ of the meatloaf mixture into the skillet. Gently press the pepper-jack cheese slices over the meat keeping at least ½-inch from the edge. Top with the remaining meatloaf mixture.
- Spread ½ cup taco sauce over the meat and place into the oven. Bake for 40 minutes.
- After 40 minutes spread the remaining ½ cup taco sauce on top and sprinkle with 1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese and remaining crushed Doritos.
- Continue to bake for an additional 20-30 minutes or until cooked through and the meat is no longer pink.
- Rest for 10-15 minutes, slice and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
My name is Melissa and I'm the Creator of Melissa's Southern Style Kitchen. Cooking, baking, developing recipes and kitchen tips is my passion. I love sharing my dishes and connecting with people through the food that I create.
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Felicia
I was not a big meatloaf fan until I tried this. This is now on my do over list!!!
Melissa
Thanks so much!
VaLon Marquardt
Made this for lunch for my family this past week. I make lunch for 8-10 people everyday and they all thought that it was awesome. I made exactly like the recipe except I put in in a roaster instead of a frying pan as I don't have one that would have been big enough. Will definitely be making this again. Thank you for the great recipe.
Melissa
I'm so happy to hear you and your family enjoyed it, thanks!
Janet
This was delicious! My husband already asked me to make it again.
Melissa
Thank you!
Angie
This was so good and flavorful!! Thank you for sharing!!!
Melissa
I'm happy you liked it, thanks!
Janet Bradley
Giving this recipe 5 stars already and I haven't even made it yet, because there is NOTHING I it that I don't LOVE. That being said. What would you serve with this? French fries or mashed potatoes. Suggestions welcomed!!!!!
Melissa
Hi Janet, this meatloaf is a good one! Mashed potatoes, Mexican rice, mac and cheese, fries, the sky's the limit.
Tammy R Fox
Loved this recipe !!!! I used 1 pound ground beef and 1 pound ground turkey. I may never make traditional meatloaf again.
Melissa
I'm so happy you loved it, thanks!
Janet Bradley
Could I sneak some bagged baby spinach in this and proceed with recipe was stated. I wouldn't have to cook the spinach first, correct? Sooooo want to make this meatloaf soon.
Thanks, Janet
Melissa
Hi Janet, being a fan of spinach, that sounds great to me. I haven't tested it so, I can't tell you with certainly but, I think it might work. I would wilt it first to sweat out liquid, yes.
Steven T. Christ
Could I cut this recipe in half? There’s just my wife and I and 2 1/2 lbs. of ground beef sounds like a little much. Or, could I make it as directed and freeze half of it for a later date?
Melissa
Hi Steven, you could absolutely cut this in half, no problem. Otherwise, make the entire meatloaf mixture, place half into a freezer safe container or bag, and freeze. Thaw in the fridge overnight then assemble the meatloaf with cheese and topping before baking.
B
So this is probably a stupid question, but can you make this in a cheap stainless steel pan in the oven the same as would if was cast iron?
Melissa
You can make this in any similar size pan you like and in any shape you like. That said, if you're referring to a disposable aluminum pan they won't bake as evenly a a proper baking pan, so watch for over cooking.
Cloie
Calorie count, carbs, protein ???
Melissa
There are countless free apps on the internet that can calculate for you.
Diana Gendreau
I would love to make this recipe but I don't own a cast iron skillet could I make it in something else?
Melissa
Of course, any similar size baking dish round or otherwise will work.
Julie
What is taco sauce? Sorry to be an idiot. Like Texas Pete, or enchilada sauce, or something totally different? Thanks.
Melissa
That's not a dumb question at all. It's nothing like Texas Pete but, similar to enchilada sauce. It's sold with the Hispanic foods and it's actually called Taco Sauce. If you've ever eaten at Taco Bell they give it to you in packets like ketchup.
Gisela Jobin
Made it twice now and we loved it.
Jill
Melissa, Holy Jalapenos!! This was absolutely amazing! We love tacos and we love meatloaf. What a perfect marriage of the two. I served it with a mix of shredded lettuce and cilantro, sour cream and jalapenos. And margaritas of course! Not sure how you got ten servings out of it though. My husband and I ate half of it! Leftover possibilities are endless. I will definitely make it again. Thanks for a great recipe. Okay, it's Siesta time now. ????
Melissa
So happy you loved this one, too! Servings are always something I have to giggle about as you know, it totally depends on those eating a particular dish and their appetites. My 2 sons could easily polish this off in one sitting. Thanks so much for letting me know!
Niq
I made this for dinner tonight! Quick but yet very tasty Saturday meal! I made some Lipton taco rice with it and some sour cream and jalapeños for an added zip! Thanks for this recipe, it’s a keeper!!
Melissa
Thanks so much!
Sara
Tried this and the family loved it! I did use 90/10 and there was still some grease, but less than usual. Adding this to our regular menu. Thank you!!
Melissa
Awesome!
Amber
Where does all the grease that cooks out of the ground meat go?
Melissa
If you use a quality lean ground beef there shouldn't be grease in this meatloaf. 90/10 is the best.
teresa
This looks incredibly good. I've got to give it a try.
Melissa
Thanks Teresa!
Laura
This ended up being a sort of hodge-podge of ingredients, just because. Venison, 90/10 beef, and some sausage patties, 3 different kinds of taco sauce (Ortega, and two different heats of Taco Bell sauce), Taco Bell 7 layer cheese, regular cheddar, and the rest was fairly well the same. Lol.
Hubby and I THOROUGHLY enjoyed it, and this may very well end up in a fairly consistent rotation.