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!
A lazy Sunday, sleeping in, reading the paper, playing with the kids, making a dinner that cooks all day so we can sit around for supper together and discuss the week to come… These are things that do not happen in my house.
I’d like to think that may be possible someday, but I’m yet to see a family where this is the norm.
For us, we’re up early with the kiddos (M is 4, J is 2). On the weekends, M comes in our room and wakes us up. She climbs into bed with us and snuggles for a few minutes before announcing it’s time for everyone to get up.
Sometimes she fetches my slippers and lays out my toothpaste in the bathroom. She’s a sweetheart for sure, but I think she’s also trying to speed me along so I will go make her breakfast.
And once my feet hit the floor, we’re usually going, going, going until the late afternoon. Errands, parties, going for walks, putting together puzzles, reading books, maybe going out for lunch, coloring, more books, cleaning up, cleaning up, cleaning up…
It’s a bit relentless.
So for now, we don’t have Sunday suppers that take hours to prepare. We have dinner that I’m lucky to squeak out and get onto the table before I collapse in a heap.
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.
Voila! You’ve got 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.
Add some brown rice or maybe some paprika potatoes (or my go-to 10-minute microwave “baked" potatoes), some steamed broccoli or a really simple spinach salad and suddenly, it’s a spread.
A spread worthy of Sunday! Without the all-day fuss.
Sunday doesn’t have to be an ordeal, and meatloaf definitely doesn’t have to be boring. Try this Mexican version and have a mini fiesta in your mouth any night of the week.
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.
Also, be sure to check out my VIDEO for this easy Mexican-style meatloaf.
Mexican meatloaf
An easy, 1-bowl ground turkey meatloaf with cheese, chilies and salsa!
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ pounds ground turkey (I use 7% fat)
- 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped (about 1 cup)
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (unseasoned)
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 cup grated 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.
- 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 an ungreased baking sheet and shape into a loaf, about 8 inches long.
- Top with remaining ¼ cup salsa and bake at 400 for 45 minutes.
- Remove and let stand for 5-10 minutes before slicing.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
You can use gluten-free breadcrumbs to make this meatloaf gluten free.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 510Total Fat: 34gSaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 177mgSodium: 1033mgCarbohydrates: 13gFiber: 2gSugar: 3gProtein: 39g
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.
como fazer para ganhar na mega sena
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! 😊