Description
Jalapeño Popper Stuffed Meatloaf delivers a spicy, cheesy twist on classic comfort food. Creamy, zesty filling nestled within juicy ground beef creates an irresistible main course you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 pounds (907 grams) lean ground beef
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 2/3 cup (160 milliliters) onion, finely diced
- 2/3 cup (160 milliliters) diced jalapenos, seeds removed
Binding and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 2 lightly beaten eggs
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) dry breadcrumbs
- 3/4 cup (180 milliliters) milk
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, sliced into thin strips
Topping:
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) ketchup
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a foil-lined baking sheet to create a clean cooking surface for the meatloaf preparation.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, thoroughly combine ground beef, diced onion, eggs, breadcrumbs, milk, seasoned salt, black pepper, and dried basil using gentle hand-mixing techniques to maintain meat tenderness.
- Spread half of the meat mixture into a precise 9×5-inch rectangular base on the prepared baking sheet, creating a solid foundation for the stuffed meatloaf.
- Strategically arrange thin cream cheese slices and diced jalapeños down the center of the meat rectangle, maintaining a small border around the edges to prevent filling leakage.
- Carefully cover the filling with the remaining meat mixture, meticulously sealing the edges to lock in the creamy and spicy interior.
- Apply a generous ketchup glaze across the entire surface of the meatloaf, which will caramelize during baking and enhance the overall flavor profile.
- Bake for 60-70 minutes until fully cooked, allowing the meatloaf to rest 5-10 minutes after removing from the oven to redistribute internal juices and ensure a moist, cohesive texture when slicing.
Notes
- Customize heat levels by removing jalapeño seeds for milder flavor or adding more for extra spiciness.
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner protein option that maintains similar texture and moisture.
- Ensure cream cheese is cold and sliced thinly to prevent melting completely during baking, creating perfect cheese pockets inside the meatloaf.
- Use gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed pork rinds for a low-carb alternative that keeps the meatloaf structure intact and adds delicious crunch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 65 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 640 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg