TACO MEAT LOAF

This meat loaf is a great way to perk up any week night. It has lean ground beef, finely crushed corn chips, mild green chiles and cheese in it and then its "frosted" with refried beans + salsa before you bake it.

I like to serve this with Spanish rice and coleslaw. It is a tasty change of pace.

1 pound of LEAN ground beef (less than 10% fat)
1/2 cup of finely crushed corn chips 
1 beaten egg
3 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin

1/2 cup onion (small dice)
4 ounce can of mild (chopped)green chiles 
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup of Mexican blend shredded cheese (or cheddar cheese)

In a bowl, mix the ground beef, corn chips, egg, chili powder, cumin, chopped green chiles, onion, black pepper and 1/2 cup of shredded cheese. Mix thoroughly and form into an oval on a lightly greased (or parchment lined) baking sheet (not in a loaf pan).

 You should have an oval meat loaf like this

Chopped Green Chiles

"MEATLOAF FROSTING"
1 cup of refried beans
1/4 cup of your favorite salsa
1 cup of Mexican blend (or cheddar) shredded cheese

In a small bowl, mix the refried beans with 1/4 cup of salsa and "frost" the top of the uncooked meatloaf with it. Bake at 375° for about 40 minutes. The last few minutes of baking time, sprinkle the top of the meatloaf with one cup of shredded cheese and return to oven.

To serve, gently slide a thin spatula under the meatloaf to loosen it from the baking pan and lift it (all in one piece) to a serving dish.

NOTE: I do not add salt to this recipe because there is plenty of salt in the other ingredients.

NOTE: By baking this on a sheet pan (rather than a loaf pan) the grease will run out onto the pan and not "soak into" your meatloaf. You shouldn't have much "grease" if you use 90% lean ground beef.

ENJOY !!!