Description

Satisfy your cravings with Cowboy Meatloaf, a delicious blend of seasoned ground beef, beans, melty cheddar cheese, and tangy BBQ sauce. This comforting dish is perfect for family dinners or gatherings and impresses everyone with its hearty flavors. With easy preparation steps and the ability to customize according to your taste, this meatloaf becomes a favorite in no time. Serve it alongside classic sides like mashed potatoes or green beans for a complete meal that’s sure to please. Plus, it makes fantastic leftovers for sandwiches or baked potato toppings!

Ingredients

Scale

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 small yellow onion, finely diced
1 green bell pepper, finely diced
1 teaspoon garlic, minced
2 pounds ground beef
2 large eggs, beaten
1 cup canned pinto beans, drained and rinsed
½ cup plain breadcrumbs
1 cup BBQ sauce, divided
2 teaspoons chili powder
2 teaspoons kosher salt
½ teaspoon cayenne
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly spray a large loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray.
In a medium skillet over medium heat, sauté diced onion and green bell pepper in vegetable oil until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute before removing from heat.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked vegetables, ground beef, beaten eggs, drained pinto beans, breadcrumbs, half of the BBQ sauce, chili powder, kosher salt, cayenne pepper, and black pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
Shape half of the meat mixture into a flat loaf in the prepared pan. Add shredded cheese down the center and cover with remaining meat mixture. Shape into an even loaf.
Brush the top with ¼ cup of BBQ sauce and bake for 40 minutes. Brush with remaining sauce and continue baking for an additional 25–30 minutes or until it reaches an internal temperature of 160°F.
Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 70 minutes
Category: Main
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice (approximately 150g)
Calories: 320
Sugar: 8g
Sodium: 740mg
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 25g
Fiber: 5g
Protein: 20g
Cholesterol: 75mg

Keywords: For added flavor, consider mixing in chopped herbs or spices to the meat mixture. This recipe can easily be adapted using ground turkey instead of beef for a leaner option.