Description
Hey there, fellow kitchen adventurers! If you’re on the hunt for a dish that combines comfort and a punch of flavor, you’ve landed in the right place. Today, I’m thrilled to share my Cheesy Bacon Jalapeño Meatloaf recipe with you! 🌶️🧀
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1–2 jalapeños, finely diced (feel free to remove those pesky seeds for a milder spice kick!)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 4 strips bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing for drizzle (because everything’s better with ranch, right?)
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatloaf Mixture: Grab a large bowl and mix together the ground beef, breadcrumbs, beaten egg, onion, diced jalapeños, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. You want everything to come together beautifully, so give it a good mix. Don’t be shy—get your hands in there!
- Fold in the Good Stuff: Now, gently fold in the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, and crumbled bacon until everything is evenly mixed. This is where the magic happens! Every bite will be a cheesy, crispy delight.
- Shape and Bake: Time to shape that mixture into a loaf! Place it in a greased loaf pan or on a foil-lined baking sheet (hello, easy cleanup!). Bake in your preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 45-50 minutes or until it reaches an internal temperature of 160°F. Your kitchen will smell heavenly!
- Rest and Slice: Once your meatloaf is baked to perfection, let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing. Trust me—this helps keep all those juicy flavors locked in.
- Ranch Drizzle: Just before serving, warm up that ranch dressing and drizzle it over your slices. You’ll want to thank me later for this tip!
Notes
- Here’s a little secret: if you like it extra cheesy, feel free to add more cheese to the mixture or on top before baking. Who doesn’t love gooey cheese?
- Not a fan of spice? You can totally lessen the jalapeño or even leave it out—this meatloaf is flexible and adaptable.