Smoky Jalapeño Popper Meatloaf You Can’t Stop Eating Recipe
This Smoky Jalapeño Popper Meatloaf is a flavorful twist on classic comfort food, combining spicy jalapeños, creamy cheeses, and crispy bacon for a deliciously rich and smoky dish. Perfectly baked to juicy perfection and finished with a cool ranch drizzle, this meatloaf is sure to be a crowd-pleaser that you just can’t stop eating.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
The Meatloaf:
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1–2 jalapeños, finely diced (remove seeds for less heat)
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 4 strips bacon, cooked crispy and crumbled
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
The Ranch Drizzle:
- ½ cup ranch dressing, warmed for drizzling
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatloaf Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, beaten egg, chopped onion, and diced jalapeños (remove seeds to reduce heat if desired). Add Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper to taste. Fold in the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, and crumbled bacon gently until all ingredients are evenly distributed within the mixture. This blend ensures a rich and flavorful meatloaf.
- Shape and Bake: Form the meat mixture into a loaf shape and place it in a greased loaf pan or on a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 45–50 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F. The top should become golden and slightly crispy, indicating it is perfectly cooked.
- Rest and Slice: Remove the meatloaf from the oven and allow it to rest for 5–10 minutes. Resting lets the juices redistribute throughout the meatloaf, ensuring each slice remains juicy and tender when served.
- Ranch Drizzle: While the meatloaf rests, gently warm the ranch dressing. Drizzle it generously over each slice just before serving to add a creamy, cool contrast that complements the heat from the jalapeños and the savory, smoky flavors of the cheese and bacon.
Notes
- Removing seeds from jalapeños reduces the heat, making the dish milder.
- Use lean ground beef to prevent excess grease and keep the meatloaf moist but not greasy.
- Allowing the meatloaf to rest is vital to retain moisture and enhance flavor.
- For an extra smoky flavor, you can sprinkle additional smoked paprika on top before baking.
- If you prefer, substitute ranch dressing with a creamy garlic sauce or blue cheese dressing for a different twist.
Keywords: jalapeño popper meatloaf, smoky meatloaf, bacon meatloaf, cheesy meatloaf, spicy meatloaf, comfort food, baked meatloaf, ranch drizzle
