Jalapeño Popper Meatloaf (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ Meatloaf Base

01 - 2 pounds lean ground beef
02 - 1 cup breadcrumbs
03 - 1 egg, beaten
04 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
05 - 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
06 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
07 - Salt and pepper, to taste

→ Jalapeño Popper Mix-ins

08 - 1–2 jalapeños, finely diced (remove seeds for less heat)
09 - 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
10 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
11 - 4 strips bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled

→ For Serving

12 - 1/2 cup ranch dressing (for drizzle)

# Instructions:

01 - Grab a big mixing bowl and toss in your ground beef, breadcrumbs, beaten egg, and finely chopped onion. Add those diced jalapeños (with or without seeds, depending on how spicy you like things), Worcestershire sauce, and that smoky paprika. Season with a good pinch of salt and pepper. Use your hands to mix everything together – it's messy but works way better than a spoon!
02 - Now for the good stuff! Gently fold in the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, and those crispy bacon bits. Try not to overmix – you want those little pockets of cheese to create amazing melty spots throughout your meatloaf.
03 - Preheat your oven to 350°F. Shape your mixture into a loaf shape and place it either in a greased loaf pan or directly on a foil-lined baking sheet with the edges turned up to catch any drippings. Pop it in the oven and let it bake for about 45-50 minutes. You'll know it's done when a meat thermometer reads 160°F in the center.
04 - This step is super important! Let your beautiful meatloaf rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing into it. This helps keep all those amazing juices inside rather than running all over your cutting board. Trust me, it's worth the short wait.
05 - Just before serving, warm up that ranch dressing slightly (about 15 seconds in the microwave does the trick) and drizzle it over each slice. This cool, tangy finish perfectly complements the spicy, cheesy meatloaf underneath.

# Notes:

01 - This meatloaf combines all the flavors of everyone's favorite appetizer – jalapeño poppers – into a hearty main dish that's perfect for weeknight dinners or casual entertaining.
02 - You can easily adjust the heat level by controlling the amount of jalapeño seeds you include – more seeds means more heat!
03 - For a fun variation, try forming the mixture into mini meatloaves or even meatballs for quicker cooking and easy serving at parties.

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