Tasty Smoky Jalapeño Popper Meatloaf (Printable Version)

A smoky, cheesy meatloaf with jalapeños, cheddar, beef bacon, and creamy ranch drizzle.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meatloaf Base

01 - 900 g lean ground beef
02 - 1 large egg, beaten
03 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
04 - 120 g bread crumbs
05 - 1–2 jalapeños, deseeded and finely diced
06 - 15 ml Worcestershire sauce
07 - 5 g smoked paprika
08 - Ground black pepper, to taste
09 - Salt, to taste

→ Filling and Topping

10 - 100 g shredded cheddar cheese
11 - 115 g cream cheese, softened
12 - 4 slices beef bacon, cooked and crumbled
13 - 120 ml ranch dressing, for drizzling

# Steps To Follow:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly incorporate ground beef, bread crumbs, beaten egg, onion, jalapeños, smoked paprika, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper until evenly blended.
02 - Fold in the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, and crumbled beef bacon, distributing the filling evenly throughout the mixture.
03 - Form the mixture into a compact loaf. Place it in a greased loaf pan or position it on a foil-lined baking sheet.
04 - Bake in a preheated oven at 175°C for 45–50 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 71°C.
05 - Remove from the oven and let rest for 5–10 minutes to ensure clean slices.
06 - Warm the ranch dressing slightly and drizzle over the sliced meatloaf immediately before serving.

# Notes and Tips:

01 - Removing the seeds from jalapeños moderates spice levels while retaining their fresh flavor.