Tex-Mex Meatloaf With Black Beans

Meatloaf With Black Beans (loaf and slices)

Diana Rattray

Prep: 20 mins
Cook: 75 mins
Total: 95 mins
Servings: 6 to 8 servings
Yield: 1 meatloaf

This delicious meatloaf is filled with Tex-Mex flavors and shredded Mexican cheeses. It's made with ground beef and black beans, along with cumin and other seasonings. Top this meatloaf with salsa or tomatoes with green chilis and serve with potatoes or Spanish or Mexican-style rice.

If you want to make this meatloaf ahead of time, it can be refrigerated or frozen unbaked. Wrap the loaf tightly before refrigerating it or placing it in an airtight freezer bag and freezing it. Bake refrigerated meatloaf within a day or two and frozen meatloaf within six months. Thaw the raw frozen meatloaf overnight in the refrigerator before baking. If you bake it while still frozen, it can take twice as long, and you must be sure to check for doneness in the center of the loaf with a meat thermometer.

Ingredients

  • Cooking spray, for greasing

  • 2 pounds ground beef (85 percent to 90 percent lean)

  • 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed

  • 1/4 cup finely chopped onion

  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, or parsley, optional

  • 1 heaping teaspoon chili powder

  • 3/4 teaspoon ground cumin

  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, or finely minced garlic

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

  • 1 large egg

  • 1/3 cup fine dry breadcrumbs

  • 1/4 cup milk

  • 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Mexican cheese blend (with or without peppers in the mixture)

  • 1/2 cup salsa, optional

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients. Heat the oven to 350 F.

  2. Lightly grease a baking pan with rim or a baking dish.

  3. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, beans, onion, optional cilantro or parsley, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, pepper, egg, breadcrumbs, and milk. Gently mix to combine thoroughly. But don't knead the mixture too much or you will lose the texture.

  4. On an 18-inch length of foil, pat the meat mixture out into a 10-by-12-inch rectangle. Spread the cheese over the rectangle to within 1/2 inch of the edges. Carefully roll up and pinch all seams together.

  5. Place the meatloaf in the baking dish and bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes.

  6. If desired, spoon a little salsa over the loaf about 5 minutes before it's done.

  7. Test for doneness with an instant-read thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the center of the loaf. The minimum safe temperature for ground meat is 160 F.

  8. Remove the meatloaf from the oven to a serving plate. Allow the meatloaf to rest for about 10 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to be absorbed in the loaf so it will retain its moisture. Slicing soon after it comes out of the oven will result in losing the juices and dryer loaf.

  9. Slice and serve with cold or warm salsa, rice or potatoes, and corn or your favorite side vegetable.

Refrigerate any leftovers and enjoy them within the next couple of days.

Variations

For individual meatloaves, bake in muffin tins or mini-loaf pans for individual servings. The baking time will vary but will be about 20 minutes for muffin tins. Check the temperature with a thermometer to be sure they are done.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
464 Calories
25g Fat
18g Carbs
40g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6 to 8
Amount per serving
Calories 464
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 25g 32%
Saturated Fat 10g 51%
Cholesterol 138mg 46%
Sodium 338mg 15%
Total Carbohydrate 18g 6%
Dietary Fiber 5g 18%
Total Sugars 1g
Protein 40g
Vitamin C 0mg 2%
Calcium 165mg 13%
Iron 5mg 27%
Potassium 685mg 15%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)