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!
Save This Recipe
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Lisa @ Chocolate Meets Strawberry says
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 🙂
Kathryn says
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!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
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!
Kathryn says
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 ;))
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy says
This is GENIUS! Two of my favorite things in one!
Kathryn says
Thank you Jennifer! Mine, too, which is why I'm obsessed with this meatloaf!
sue|theviewfromgreatisland says
I've never met a meatloaf OR a salsa that I didn't love, so this is right up my alley 🙂
Kathryn says
Haha, I feel the exact same way Sue!
Mahy says
I love anything Mexican and I can bet this will be on my favorite list--looks scrumptious!
Kathryn says
Thanks Mahy! I love anything Mexican, too, and this meatloaf definitely hits the spot 🙂
Lizzie says
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.
Kathryn says
Ha, thanks Lizzie! And yes, some cumin would be a delicious addition!
Adina says
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.
Kathryn says
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!
simonacallas says
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! 🙂
Kathryn says
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!
Frugal Hausfrau says
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
Kathryn says
Thank you!
Carlee says
Yummy! We love Mexican flavors and putting them in meatloaf form is genius!
Kathryn says
Thanks Carlee! I'm a sucker for anything Mexican too 😉
Stephanie R says
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!
Kathryn says
Thanks Stephanie! We love the flavors here, and it's so easy to put together. Hope you give it a try!
Katie says
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!
Kathryn says
Love those flavors - and bonus for the cilantro! - and it makes it so fun to have in meatloaf form 🙂
Helen Fern says
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/
Kathryn says
Thanks Helen - it makes for such a tasty dinner! And I will definitely check out the link party 🙂
Janet Vinyard says
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
Kathryn says
Thanks Janet! I always use ground turkey for meatloaf and the flavors here are so fun 🙂 Hope you give it a try!
Alice says
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.
Kathryn says
So happy to hear that Alice! I hope you love it!
Ana says
Very practical and easy to do, I did not know it was that simple, I'm sure to do.
Gabi Marquez says
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.
Bebel says
Its look really good. I wil try that recipe. Thank for sharing it
Eduardo says
Thank you for sharing this article.
Joana says
It seems to be very good this recipe I want to learn to do as fast as possible.
Tomas says
Really should be great this recipe, I will do here at home.
Debora says
hum, very good
Debora says
Hum, Very good
Carl says
I love this kind of food. Very good this recipe, I can not wait to try this wonderful recipe
Claudio says
Perfect recipe and article, a beautiful combination. Thank you
Vitoria says
Beautiful recipe. I'll test soon