Mexican Fiesta Meatloaf

Mexican Fiesta Meatloaf

I’m a big fan of meatloaf, but this time, I took it south of the border with a Mexican Fiesta twist that’s packed with bold flavor and a little heat!

This meatloaf brings everything you love about Tex-Mex zesty Rotel, spicy jalapeños, crunchy tortilla chips, and a gooey cream cheese center seasoned with our fiery Blazing Star Reaper Rub. Finished off with that signature Blazing Star BBQ flavor, this recipe is smoky, creamy, and full of kick.

🔥 Whether you smoke it low and slow or bake it in the oven, it’s guaranteed to be the star of your next fiesta!

📋Quick Recipe Card

Prep Time

Cook Time

Servings

Difficulty

Flavor Profile

15 minutes

1.5 hours

6–8

Easy

Smoky, spicy, creamy, Tex-Mex inspired

 

🛒Ingredients

  • 2 lbs ground beef
  • 2 cans Rotel (diced tomatoes with green chiles)
  • ½ onion, diced
  • 2 jalapeños, finely chopped (with seeds for heat)
  • 1 egg
  • 2 cups crushed tortilla chips
  • 2 tbsp Blazing Star All In One Seasoning
  • 2 tbsp @melindasfoods Mexicana Sauce
  • 1 block cream cheese, halved lengthwise
  • 2 tbsp Blazing Star Reaper Rub (for seasoning cream cheese and exterior)

🔥Instructions

  1. Preheat Smoker or Oven
     Set to 300°F. Prepare your smoker with mild wood like pecan or cherry for a balanced smoke flavor.
  2. Mix the Meatloaf Base
     In a large bowl, combine ground beef, Rotel, onion, jalapeños, egg, crushed tortilla chips, All In One Seasoning, and Melinda’s Mexicana Sauce. Mix until evenly blended, don’t overmix.
  3. Form and Fill
     On a foil-lined pan, shape half of the mixture into a loaf base. Slice cream cheese lengthwise, season with Reaper Rub, and place it in the center.
  4. Seal and Season
     Add the remaining meat mixture on top and seal the edges. Season the outside generously with Reaper Rub or All In One Seasoning.
  5. Cook
     Place on smoker or in oven. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (about 1½ hours).
  6. Rest and Slice
     Let it rest 10 minutes before slicing. Serve hot with your favorite BBQ sauce or a drizzle of Melinda’s Mexicana Sauce for an extra kick.

💡Pro Tips

  • Substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner version.
  • Mix in shredded cheese or corn kernels for more texture.
  • For extra smoke flavor, use wood chunks like mesquite or hickory.
  • Great for meal prep, makes killer meatloaf sandwiches the next day!

🛒Shop the Flavors

➡️Try Next

Back to blog

Leave a comment