Cheese Stuffed Taco Meatloaf
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.
Ingredients to Make 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 classic meatloaf, this spiced-up mexican meatloaf recipe is one more way for my meatloaf loving family to enjoy it. The taco seasoning and pepper jack cheese hidden in the center amps up the Mexican flavors and gives it that ooey gooey melty cheese element. I like to serve it with black beans and Mexican rice to round out the meal. How to make Cheese Stuffed Taco Meatloaf: (Scroll down for full printable recipe.)
- Ground Beef – 2 1/2 pounds of lean ground beef, either 85/15 or 90/10.
- Onion – Sweet onion or yellow onion for a strong flavor.
- Tomato Sauce – Taco sauce for the meatloaf mixture and the topping.
- Nacho Chips – Crushed nacho cheese flavored Doritos for the filling and to sprinkle on top.
- Seasonings – Taco seasoning, cumin, lemon pepper, garlic powder and Mexican oregano.
- Whole Eggs – Large eggs bind the meatloaf mixture together.
- Cheese – One 8 ounce block of pepper-jack cheese, sliced into 14 even slices to stuff the middle of the meatloaf.
- Shredded – Shredded pepper-jack cheese to sprinkle on top.
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.
- Heat Oven Prepare Skillet – Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly brush a 10-inch cast iron skillet or similar oven safe skillet or baking dish with oil.
- Meatloaf Mixture – Combine the ground beef, 1/2 cup taco sauce, 1/3 cup crushed Doritos, taco seasoning, onion, cumin, lemon pepper, garlic powder, oregano and eggs. Using your hands mix until the ingredients are fully combined.
- Transfer to Skillet – Press 1/2 of the meatloaf mixture into the skillet.
- Cheese Layer – Gently press the pepper-jack cheese slices over the meat mixture keeping at least 1/2-inch from the edge. Top with the remaining meatloaf mixture.
- Make the Topping – Spread 1/2 cup taco sauce over the meat and place into the oven.
- Transfer to Oven – Bake per the recipe. Pour spread the remaining taco sauce on top and sprinkle with pepper jack cheese and Doritos at the end of baking. (You could use crushed tortilla chips)
- Finish Baking – Continue to bake for an additional 20-30 minutes or until cooked through and the meat is no longer pink.
- Serve – Rest Taco Meatloaf for 10 minutes then slice into wedges and serve topped with sour cream, salsa, black olives or fresh cilantro.
Tips for Making Taco Meatloaf
- Kitchen Tools You’ll Need: Large bowl, measuring cups and spoons, sharp knives and chopping board, cheese grater, 10-inch skillet or similar size baking pan or dish.
- Use an Oven Safe Skillet or Baking Dish: While I bake this in a cast iron skillet, It’s fine to use any similar size deep dish pan or baking dish to make this meatloaf.
- Why Add Eggs? Eggs serve as a binder in classic meatloaf and keeps it from falling apart.
- Make-Ahead Tip: 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.
- Side Dishes to Serve with Taco Meatloaf: 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.
- More Side Dishes: You could also enjoy Buttermilk Ranch Mashed Potatoes, Mexican Street Corn Salad, Jalapeno Pepper Jack Cornbread and Easy Refried Beans just to name a few.
Recipe Variations
- Protein: You could adapt this meatloaf recipe using ground turkey, ground pork or ground chicken.
- Add Hot Peppers: If you’d like to add extra kick to this Mexican food inspired meatloaf, you could add diced jalapeno peppers to the meatloaf mixture.
- Mexican Oregano: Use 1/2 teaspoon of Italian oregano in place of the Mexican oregano.
- Cheese: For a milder flavor of meatloaf, you can use the same amount of colby jack cheese, cheddar 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. You could use any mexican blend of cheese that you enjoy most.
- Tomato Sauce: You can adjust the spice level by using a mild, medium or hot taco sauce.
- Doritos: You can use crushed corn chips or fritos in place of Doritos.
- Loaf Pans: You can split the meatloaf mixture and bake it in two 8×4-inch loaf pans. When doing so, it won’t take as long to bake. Check it halfway through baking for doneness looking for clear juices.
Storage and Leftovers
- Leftovers: Store leftover taco meatloaf in an airtight container chilled in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Reheat gently in the microwave to prevent it from drying out.
- Freezer Storage: You can fully assemble the meatloaf mixture and pop it into the freezer. Thaw in the fridge then assemble the taco meatloaf per the recipe prior to baking.
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.
- Taco Mac is a kicked up macaroni and cheese ideal for any day of the week.
- Beer Battered Fish Tacos melt in your mouth.
- Make your own Homemade Taco Seasoning.
- Easy Taco Meat for Taco Tuesday at home!
- 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
Servings: 10
Calories: 404kcal
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 lb lean ground beef 90/10
- 1 1/2 cup taco sauce divided
- 2/3 cup crushed nacho cheese flavored Doritos divided
- 1 1.25 oz packet taco seasoning
- 1 medium sweet onion finely diced
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp lemon pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp 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, 1/2 cup taco sauce, 1/3 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 1/2 of the meatloaf mixture into the skillet. Gently press the pepper-jack cheese slices over the meat keeping at least 1/2-inch from the edge. Top with the remaining meatloaf mixture.
- Spread 1/2 cup taco sauce over the meat and place into the oven. Bake for 40 minutes.
- After 40 minutes spread the remaining 1/2 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 minutes then slice into wedges and serve.
Notes
-
- Protein: You could adapt this meatloaf recipe using ground turkey, ground pork or ground chicken.
- Add Hot Peppers: If you’d like to add extra kick to this Mexican food inspired meatloaf, you could add diced jalapeno peppers to the meatloaf mixture.
- Cheese: For a milder flavor of meatloaf, you can use the same amount of colby jack cheese, cheddar 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. You could use any mexican blend of cheese that you enjoy most.
- Tomato Sauce: You can adjust the spice level by using a mild, medium or hot taco sauce.
- Doritos: You can use crushed corn chips or fritos in place of Doritos.
- Loaf Pans: You can split the meatloaf mixture and bake it in two 8×4-inch loaf pans. When doing so, it won’t take as long to bake. Check it halfway through baking for doneness looking for clear juices.
- Mexican Oregano: Use 1/2 teaspoon of Italian oregano in place of the Mexican oregano.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 404kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 36g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 138mg | Sodium: 774mg | Potassium: 626mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 307IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 292mg | Iron: 4mg
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Hi
Looks good but what would taco sauce be made up of. I am based in UK. Any help much appreciated
Thanks
Taco sauce is a red sauce. So you have access to any red Mexican sauces? If so, you could adapt this, I’m sure.
I was given alot of already cooked and seasoned beef taco meat. Is there anyway to make this recipe with ground beef that has been already cooked?
There’s not. This meatloaf recipe needs to begin with raw ground beef.
Very good!! My son hates meatloaf but I called it a stuffed pie and he ate it up!
I’m so happy you all enjoyed it, thanks!
I was not a big meatloaf fan until I tried this. This is now on my do over list!!!
Thanks so much!
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.
I’m so happy to hear you and your family enjoyed it, thanks!
This was delicious! My husband already asked me to make it again.
Thank you!
This was so good and flavorful!! Thank you for sharing!!!
I’m happy you liked it, thanks!
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!!!!!
Hi Janet, this meatloaf is a good one! Mashed potatoes, Mexican rice, mac and cheese, fries, the sky’s the limit.
Loved this recipe !!!! I used 1 pound ground beef and 1 pound ground turkey. I may never make traditional meatloaf again.
I’m so happy you loved it, thanks!
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
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.
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?
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.
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?
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.
Calorie count, carbs, protein ???
There are countless free apps on the internet that can calculate for you.
I would love to make this recipe but I don’t own a cast iron skillet could I make it in something else?
Of course, any similar size baking dish round or otherwise will work.
What is taco sauce? Sorry to be an idiot. Like Texas Pete, or enchilada sauce, or something totally different? Thanks.
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.
Made it twice now and we loved it.
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. ????
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!
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!!
Thanks so much!
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!!
Awesome!
Where does all the grease that cooks out of the ground meat go?
If you use a quality lean ground beef there shouldn’t be grease in this meatloaf. 90/10 is the best.
This looks incredibly good. I’ve got to give it a try.
Thanks Teresa!
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.