What keeps meatloaf from falling apart?

Binding ingredients, like eggs, and ingredients that give meatloaf structure, like breadcrumbs, prevent meatloaf from falling apart. It’s also important to let the meatloaf cool for about 10 minutes before slicing into it.

Is ground chuck good for meatloaf?

Ground chuck is a high-fat type of ground beef that comes from the front part of the cow near its shoulders. Since ground chuck is extra-fatty, it sticks together more easily than lean meats, making it a great choice for meatloaf, meatballs, and burgers.

Why not cook meatloaf in a loaf pan?

You can certainly cook meatloaf in a loaf pan. Loaf pans keep meatloaf extra juicy and moist because they trap fat drippings and slightly steam it. However, baking meatloaf on a sheet pan allows for a nice crust to form on the edges and better caramelization of toppings.

Mexican Taco Meatloaf - Sugar & Snap Peas

Name: Mexican Taco Meatloaf
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 pounds ground turkey; 1 cup mild salsa - chunky; 1 cup panko breadcrumbs; 2 eggs; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 4 tablespoons low-sodium taco seasoning mix; 1 cup shredded cheese - choose cheddar, Monterey jack, or Colby jack cheese

Mexican Taco Meatloaf

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4.9 from 13 reviews

Comfort food meets Taco Tuesday with this Mexican Taco Meatloaf recipe! With its smoky, bold taco seasoning flavors, and juicy, moist texture, it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Author: Katie
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 60 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Yield: 8 slices
Category: Dinner
Method: baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Units Scale

2 pounds ground turkey
1 cup mild salsa - chunky
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
2 eggs
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
4 tablespoons low-sodium taco seasoning mix
1 cup shredded cheese - choose cheddar, Monterey jack, or Colby jack cheese

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350° Fahrenheit and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground turkey, salsa, panko breadcrumbs, eggs, salt, garlic powder and taco seasoning. Mix until combined.
Transfer the taco meatloaf mixture to the rimmed baking sheet. Form the mixture into a loaf. Make the loaf approximately 6" x 9" and about 1 1/2 inches thick.
Bake for 50-55 minutes or until a thermometer inserted into the center of the meatloaf registers 165° F.
After the meatloaf has finished cooking, top it with the shredded cheese. Place the meatloaf back into the oven for about 3-5 minutes to melt the cheese.
Remove from the oven and let cool before serving. Enjoy!

Notes

Let the cooked meatloaf cool for at least 10 minutes before cutting it into slices. If you cut it while it’s still piping hot, it’s likely to fall apart.
Use a digital meat thermometer to prevent overcooking. Turkey meatloaf should be cooked to an internal temperature of at least 165°F.
Serve slices of Mexican taco meatloaf topped with freshly chopped cilantro, sour cream, salsa, guacamole, or a squeeze of lime juice.
The nutrition information shown below is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice.

Nutrition

Serving Size:
Calories: 484
Sugar: 2.7 g
Sodium: 1216.6 mg
Fat: 28.6 g
Carbohydrates: 16.7 g
Fiber: 1.8 g
Protein: 40.4 g
Cholesterol: 184.7 mg

Find it online: https://sugarandsnappeas.com/turkey-taco-meatloaf-with-salsa/