An easy, 1-bowl healthy Mexican ground turkey meatloaf with cheese, chilies and salsa!
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, mix very well, shape into a loaf and bake. Voila! You’ve got yourself a crowd-pleasing, cheesy, healthified (hello turkey and 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!
Mexican meatloaf
An easy, 1-bowl ground turkey meatloaf with cheese, chilies and salsa!
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 pounds ground turkey (I use 7% fat)
- 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped (about 1 cup)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (unseasoned)
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 cup grated sharp cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
- 3/4 cup salsa, divided
- 1 cup packed spinach leaves, chopped
- 1 (4 oz.) can chopped green chilies
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 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 1/2 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 1/4 cup salsa and bake at 400 for 45 minutes.
- Remove and let stand for 5-10 minutes before slicing.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Recipe Notes
You can use gluten-free breadcrumbs to make this meatloaf gluten free.
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Serving Size | |
| Amount Per Serving | As Served |
| Calories 425kcal Calories from fat 193 | |
| % Daily Value | |
| Total Fat 21g | 32% |
| Saturated Fat 9g | 45% |
| Transfat 0g | |
| Cholesterol 163mg | 54% |
| Sodium 738mg | 31% |
| Carbohydrate 19g | 6% |
| Dietary Fiber 3g | 12% |
| Sugars 6g | |
| Protein 40g | |
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs:
| Calories | 2000 | |
|---|---|---|
| Total Fat | Less than | 65g |
| Sat Fat | Less than | 25g |
| Cholesterol | Less than | 300mg |
| Sodium | Less than | 2,400mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 300g | |
| Dietary Fiber | 25g | |
Are you a meatloaf lover? Me too! Check out my BBQ cheddar meatloaf — another 1-bowl turkey meatloaf that packs a serious flavor punch.
I’m the same as you Kathryn when it comes to dinner – nothing fancy for us either! The chaos of life just doesn’t allow it 😛 I’ve just pinned this – I would love to try making it with chicken mince. Sounds so yummy, and would make a great work lunch the next day too, I imagine 🙂
It definitely makes a great lunch, Lisa! And I think it would be delicious with a ground chicken mix, too – let me know how you like it!
Since it’s just me and the hubster, Sunday is normally the day we cook dinner together. But we still don’t make anything that takes hours… mostly because he doesn’t want to be in the kitchen that long. That is a job for me. 😉 I happen to love a good loaf of meat and yours looks delish, Kathryn! LOVING the Mexican spin on this!!! I could probably eat half of this meatloaf all my myself! 🙂 Cheers, my dear!
P.S. Your daughter sounds absolutely adorable… slightly exhausting, but 100% adorable!
Aw, so sweet that you guys get in the kitchen and cook together! And I have been known to eat several servings of this – just so tasty! And thanks, she is pretty adorable (not that I’m biased ;))
This is GENIUS! Two of my favorite things in one!
Thank you Jennifer! Mine, too, which is why I’m obsessed with this meatloaf!
I’ve never met a meatloaf OR a salsa that I didn’t love, so this is right up my alley 🙂
Haha, I feel the exact same way Sue!
I love anything Mexican and I can bet this will be on my favorite list–looks scrumptious!
Thanks Mahy! I love anything Mexican, too, and this meatloaf definitely hits the spot 🙂
Makes me want to go out and buy zingy striped towels!! Seriously, this looks fantastic. I think I’m going to cut the salt down just a tad and add some cumin, which we adore. I want this right now.
Ha, thanks Lizzie! And yes, some cumin would be a delicious addition!
Sounds very much like one of our Sundays. The only occasional break we get is sometimes (mostly in winter or when the weather is really bad) for 1 h 30 at noon when the kids are watching a children’s tale on tv. Then we can get on the couch as well with a good book in the hand. Otherwise…. just like you. The meatloaf looks amazing, I was thinking about making one again soon, thanks for the reminder.
Ha, glad to know I’m not alone Adina! And glad to hear you occasionally can sit down with a good book – those moments are cherished, I’m sure 😉 Definitely put meatloaf back on the menu and let me know if you try this version. Packed with flavor!
What a simple yet elegant and delicious meal for a family dinner ❤ We love meat loaf and I’m sure we’d love this one too 🙂 Congratulations for the wonderful photos! 🙂
Thanks! This really does make the perfect family dinner – so full of flavor, but so easy! Hope you try it and let me know how you like it!
I am LOVING this!! and thanks for sharing this on Throwback Thursday! I’ll be pinning, too, so be sure to follow us there!
Mollie
Thank you!
Yummy! We love Mexican flavors and putting them in meatloaf form is genius!
Thanks Carlee! I’m a sucker for anything Mexican too 😉
My husband is always asking for meatloaf, which as you know gets very old. I have got to make this because it looks like a great twist on a traditional favorite!
Thanks Stephanie! We love the flavors here, and it’s so easy to put together. Hope you give it a try!
Awesome recipe, I have a very similar one called Fiesta Loaf (sounds horrifying but it’s amazing!) that uses many of the same ingredients and cilantro – yum! Found you at Friday Favorites, thanks for sharing!
Love those flavors – and bonus for the cilantro! – and it makes it so fun to have in meatloaf form 🙂
This sounds like a delicious twist on traditional meatloaf. Would love you to come share on the “What’s for Dinner” linky!
http://www.lazygastronome.com/whats-for-dinner-sunday-link-up-32/
Thanks Helen – it makes for such a tasty dinner! And I will definitely check out the link party 🙂
Hi Kathryn, This recipe sounds and looks so delicious! I love to use turkey for meatloaf and I love all the Mexican flavors plus the spinach that is added to this dish! Thanks for sharing and I look forward to trying this soon! Blessings, Janet
Thanks Janet! I always use ground turkey for meatloaf and the flavors here are so fun 🙂 Hope you give it a try!
Perfect, exactly the recipe I was needing, I’ve seen this in some places but I’ve never done it because I thought it was difficult but now that I’ve seen in your article that it’s simple to do, that’s great thank you.
So happy to hear that Alice! I hope you love it!
Very practical and easy to do, I did not know it was that simple, I’m sure to do.
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.
Its look really good. I wil try that recipe. Thank for sharing it
Thank you for sharing this article.
It seems to be very good this recipe I want to learn to do as fast as possible.
Really should be great this recipe, I will do here at home.
hum, very good
Hum, Very good
I love this kind of food. Very good this recipe, I can not wait to try this wonderful recipe
Perfect recipe and article, a beautiful combination. Thank you
Beautiful recipe. I’ll test soon
Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us.
I love Mexican food. Thanks for the recipe.