Spicy Cajun Meatloaf

By
Linda Larsen
Linda Larsen
Linda Larsen is a journalist, quick-cooking and slow-cooking expert, and accomplished cookbook author with over 30 years of experience in testing and developing recipes.
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Updated on 02/7/22
Cajun Meatloaf

Brian Macdonald / Getty Images

Prep: 25 mins
Cook: 55 mins
Total: 80 mins
Servings: 6 to 8 servings

This spicy Cajun meatloaf has the flavors of the South, including the "holy trinity" of celery, onion, and green bell pepper. This easy recipe is fun to make and delicious, a nice change of pace from regular meatloaf.

Always cook meatloaf and any other ground meat recipe at 160 F as tested with a meat thermometer. Let the meatloaf stand, covered, for 10 minutes after it comes out of the oven so the juices redistribute and the meatloaf is easier to slice.

This recipe is delicious served with hot mashed or mashed potatoes or polenta cooked with garlic and cheese. You can also serve it with some steamed green beans or asparagus, or a crisp and cool green salad with cucumbers and cherry tomatoes. A cold glass of beer, iced tea, or soda pop go as great accompaniments.

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

  • 1 medium onion, coarsely chopped

  • 1 stalk celery, coarsely chopped

  • 1 medium green bell pepper, coarsely chopped

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

  • 1/8 teaspoon white pepper

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

  • 1/2 teaspoon Tabasco sauce

  • 1/4 cup milk

  • 1/4 cup ketchup

  • 2 large eggs, beaten

  • 1/2 cup soft breadcrumbs

  • 1 1/4 pounds lean ground beef

  • 1/2 pound lean ground pork

  • 1 cup salsa

  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste

Steps to Make It

  1. Preheat the oven to 375 F.

  2. Heat the olive oil in a heavy 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, celery, green pepper, and garlic, then cook uncovered for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring constantly until the vegetables are tender. Add the salt, peppers, cumin, Worcestershire sauce, and Tabasco sauce and mix well. Remove the skillet from the heat and let cool 15 minutes.

  3. Transfer the vegetable mixture to a bowl and stir in the milk, ketchup, eggs, and breadcrumbs, mixing well. Then add the ground beef and ground pork and mix gently with your hands, just until combined. Place the meatloaf mixture into a greased, 9 x 5-inch loaf pan, patting gently and evening off the top.

  4. Combine the salsa and tomato paste in a small bowl and spread over the top of the meatloaf.

  5. Bake the meatloaf, uncovered, at 375 F for 50 to 55 minutes or until it is dark brown and the meat pulls away from the sides of the pan. The interior temperature should be 160 F as measured with a meat thermometer. Carefully drain the fat from the pan. Cover the meatloaf and let stand for 10 to 15 minutes. Remove it from the pan and put it on a serving platter before slicing.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
310 Calories
15g Fat
14g Carbs
30g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6 to 8
Amount per serving
Calories 310
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 15g 19%
Saturated Fat 5g 24%
Cholesterol 127mg 42%
Sodium 619mg 27%
Total Carbohydrate 14g 5%
Dietary Fiber 2g 6%
Total Sugars 6g
Protein 30g
Vitamin C 14mg 71%
Calcium 68mg 5%
Iron 4mg 20%
Potassium 670mg 14%
*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.)

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