This easy, 1-bowl Mexican meatloaf is made with ground turkey, cheese, chilies and salsa! It's perfect for a hands-off dinner the whole family will love!
I may aspire to lazy Sundays of sleeping in, reading the paper and preparing a dinner that cooks all day so we can sit around the table enjoying each other's company...
Instead, we have dinner that I’m lucky to squeak out and get onto the table before I collapse in a heap at the end of the day.
And despite the chaos, I still demand healthy, fresh and flavorful.
This Mexican meatloaf seriously checks each of those boxes AND it’s super, super easy.
Put all of your ingredients into a bowl (yup, just one bowl!), mix very well, shape into a loaf and bake.
Yup, that's it!
And you'll have yourself a crowd-pleasing, cheesy, healthified (hello ground turkey and chopped fresh spinach, I’m looking at you) and flavor-packed meatloaf ready for devouring.
Here are a few quick notes and tips for the recipe.
Ingredient Notes:
- Ground turkey: Lean ground turkey (the 93% lean kind) is my go-to for meatloaf. My package from the grocery store is usually 1.25 pounds, but I’ve also made this with a 1-pound package and that was fine, too. You could probably also substitute lean ground beef or use ground chicken if you prefer.
- Onion: Make sure to chop it finely so you don't have big chunks of onion in your meatloaf. You could also grate it if you prefer.
- Salsa: Use your favorite jarred salsa and whatever heat level you prefer - mild, medium or hot. I would stay away from any sort of bean-based or fruity salsa for this recipe.
- Breadcrumbs: I use store-bought plain breadcrumbs for this recipe. You can use gluten-free breadcrumbs to make this meatloaf gluten free.
As for serving, add some brown rice or maybe some paprika potatoes (or my go-to 10-minute microwave “baked" potatoes) or go with mashed potatoes if you like.
Then you just need a vegetable - maybe some green beans, steamed broccoli or a really simple spinach salad.
Very versatile.
Suddenly, you have a complete dinner spread! Worthy even of a Sunday!
Maybe one day I'll cook all-day meals. Most likely not.
Most likely I'll stick to quick, easy and delicious meals like this one.
I hope you give this recipe a try for a fun new way to do meatloaf!
Enjoy!
XO,
Kathryn
P.S. Are you a meatloaf lover? Me too! Check out my BBQ cheddar turkey meatloaf — another 1-bowl turkey meatloaf that packs a serious flavor punch.
You can also try this classic turkey meatloaf or these mini turkey meatloaves that are individually sized.
Mexican Meatloaf
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ pounds ground turkey (see notes)
- 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped (about 1 cup)
- ½ cup plain breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
- ¾ cup salsa, divided
- 1 cup packed spinach leaves, chopped
- 1 (4 oz.) can chopped green chilies
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- extra cheese and salsa, for serving, if desired
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy clean up if desired.
- In a large bowl, add all of the ingredients (using just ½ cup salsa). Mix well. I start with a fork to get it going then use my hands so I don’t overwork it.
- Turn the meatloaf mixture out onto the baking sheet and shape into a loaf, about 8 inches long.
- Top with remaining ¼ cup salsa and bake at 400 for 45 minutes, until cooked through.
- Remove and let stand for 5-10 minutes before slicing. Serve hot and enjoy!
Gabriel Cardoso
I always like a one bowl recipe so there’s not a lot of clean-up! Yeah, you can tell I'm lazy hahaha
Kathryn
Haha, I hear ya! 🙂
Henrique Medeiros
I loved this article. Just discovered your blog and I already lvoe it!
Elena
Very good. It must be delicious!
louise
Very practical and easy to do, I did not know it was that simple, I’m sure to do. Thanks!!!
Como Fazer Sabonete Artesanal
I do love mexican food!! Im gonna try it!
Nancy C
Husband doesn’t like spinach, so wondering how this would work without it. We don’t do beef, so anything that spices up turkey is always interesting.
Kathryn
Hi Nancy! I hear ya - we don't do beef either at home. As for the spinach, it's mainly for color and to add in an extra veggie. It doesn't really impact the flavor or the texture, so I think you should be fine to skip it. Would love to hear if you try it and what you think!
Marcela
É sempre bom aproveitar novas receitas...e essa da água na boca!!
gaby ferraz
Perfect recipe, looks like it was made for me, I have to do it urgently, I was looking for something like that, thank you very much for the recipe.
Silvia Santos
It was very good. Congratulations!!!
I'm enjoying these recipes.
Kathryn
So happy to hear that! 😊
Tanara Araujo
Perfect. Thanks and greetings.
You are an enlightened person.
Jose
Excelente trabalho , gostei demais desse artigo maravilhoso , meus Prabéns .
https://pizzaioloonline.com.br/
Gilson
It was very good. Congratulations!!!
I love mexican food!! Im gonna try it!
Emily
Congratulations on the site, I loved the content, I love this cuisine.
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I loved the recipe, thank you very much!
Rose Lima
Adorei a receita!!! Obrigada
Kathryn Doherty
So happy to hear it! 😊
Alice
obrigada por estar sempre compartilhando receitas tão boas e simples de fazer. sempre vou compartilhar esse conteúdo.
Fabiane
Primeiramente parabéns pelo artigo,tudo citado nesse blog é de imensa importancia, Receitas Deliciosas, estou muito admirada pelo conteudo desse post,continue assim sempre irei esta compartilhando
receitas são maravilhosas…imensa gratidão.
alina
parabéns pelo site,receita muito boas de fazer. grata
Ju
I saved here. I would eat now.
Donna
I made this recipe for my husband who does not eat meatloaf. I substituted hemp hearts for the bread crumbs, used 1 T fresh cilantro, cumin and medium spicy salsa with Mexican blend cheese. It was fabulous and moist! I would not look at another version of Mexican meatloaf after having this one!
Donna
Oops, I forgot I did omit the spinach.
Kathryn Doherty
Oh yay, I'm so happy you loved this meatloaf, Donna! Thank you so much for sharing! And thanks for sharing your substitutions, too - so helpful! 😊