Meatloaf has been known for its ability to provide comfort food to any household. With the simplest of ingredients being used making meatloaf a go to, sometimes a simple recipe just needs a bit more loving to make it something special. Chipotle Inspired Meatloaf delivers the best of both worlds. A traditional meatloaf and a love of Sweet Heat.
Chipotle Inspired Meatloaf
Chipotle Inspired Meatloaf incorporates shredded Pepper Jack cheese and an addition of smokey Chipotle Peppers into the mix. While it sounds a bit on the spicy side of the spectrum, you are able to control the heat provided in the recipe. The star of the recipe is the Sweet & Spicy stickiness slathered over the top. Ketchup is used in most recipes that I have had the pleasure of experiencing. There is something amazing on my upgraded version that I will share with you. With the addition of Brown Sugar and Chipotle Peppers, the flavors meld to take on a smokey sweet and spicy addition to an already delicious meatloaf. It is slathered and baked right onto the meatloaf creating a thick layer of greatness.
Meatloaf
Meatloaf can be created using any ground beef of your choosing. It is also known to provide other versions using ground turkey or if you are a bit crafty in your cooking skills, a vegetarian version can also be created using alternative methods. It is your ability and the use of them that makes the finished product perfect. There are so many different recipes available to try that it is pretty simple to make one your own. It is understanding what works good together, putting it together and bringing it together as one. If you are not a vegetable lover, don’t use them. You don’t like particular seasonings, explore and use the one’s you do. If you love using a bread binder to help and keep your meatloaf together, incorporate it into your recipe. There are no right and wrong ways to do it, only your way that matters.
This meatloaf can be enjoyed along side of your favorite mashed potatoes and steamed vegetables. It also can be enjoyed in between two slices of crusty bread and a side of fries. Most importantly, just enjoy it because there is nothing better than a good slice of Chipotle Inspired Meatloaf!
Chipotle Inspired Meatloaf
Equipment
- Loaf Pan May use a baking dish if you do not have a loaf pan.
- Cutting Board
- Mixing Bowl
- Knife
Ingredients
Protein
- 1 1/2 pounds Ground Beef May substitute for Ground Turkey and adjust baking time.
Produce
- 1 Geen Pepper Diced
- 1 Yellow Onion Diced
- 1 tsp Minced Garlic
Dairy
- 2 Eggs Whisk in a small bowl.
- 1/2 cup Shredded Pepper Jack Cheese
Condiments
- 7 oz Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce A little goes a long way so you may or may not use all of it depending on your spice preference. Dice Chipotles.
- 1 cup Ketchup
- 1/4 cup Light Brown Sugar
Seasonings
- 1 tbsp Garlic Herb Seasoning
- 1 tsp Onion Powder
- 1/2 tsp Cumin
- 1 tsp Adobo Seasoning
- 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375°F
Meatloaf Preparation
- Place Ground Beef, diced Pepper & Onions, Garlic, Pepper Jack cheese, 1-2 tablespoons of minced Chipotle Peppers, whisked Eggs and seasonings into a mixing bowl.
- Using your hands, begin mixing mixture to incorporate all the ingredients being sure all the seasonings are dispersed evenly throughout.
- The trick to a well seasoned meatloaf is simply to grab a spoonful of the mixture and sear it up in a pan. Try it, if seasoned enough for you, proceed with the next step. If additional seasonings needed, this is your opportunity to adjust.
Baking Meatloaf
- Lightly spray your Loaf pan with cooking spray.
- Place Meatloaf mixture into Loaf pan being sure to pat down to fill in air pockets. I like to use a baking pan with a raised roasting insert to avoid having a Meatloaf sitting in excess grease. I place meatloaf mixture onto aluminum foil, form it to desired shape and loosely wrap it up. Using a fork, I pierce the bottom to allow excess fat to drain while baking.
- Bake on 375°F for 45 minutes to 1 hour or until internal temperature reaches 155°F – 160°F. Baking time will vary depending on your oven. Keep in mind, the residual heat will continue to cook meatloaf even after removing from oven so it is important to not overcook as this will cause it to dry out.
Sweet & Spicy Chipotle Sauce
- In a small bowl, place Ketchup, Brown Sugar and 1-2 tsp of minced Chipotles. Give it a good stir to incorporate ingredients and set aside.
- In the last 10-15 minutes of baking time, open the foil up on meatloaf and slather sauce generously over top. Do not cover. Place back into oven and continue baking. The sauce will thicken and bake onto meatloaf giving it a BBQ'd effect.
- Remove and let it rest until serving.
