Slow Cooker Taco Meatloaf

Just a change from a standard meatloaf! Ground meat is not generally an "all day" in the slow cooker, it is obviously longer than in the oven but not a "put it on in the AM and leave for work" one. It is nice to get dinner all done in the afternoon though!
I served with a side of cilantro lime carrots and jalapeno corn muffins.






2 lbs ground beef(90% lean) or ground turkey
4-6 corn tortillas*
(olive oil for brushing , sea salt as desired)
3/4 cup shredded pepper jack cheese(Monterrey or Colby Jack if you don't want the kick)
1/2 cup salsa
1 egg
2 tsp chili powder**
1 tsp cumin**
1 tsp oregano**
1 tsp paprika**
1/2 tsp garlic powder**
1/2 tsp onion powder**
1/2 tsp sea salt**
1/2 tsp black pepper**

1/3 cup ketchup
1 TB taco sauce(mild or hot , your preference!)





Preheat oven to 350



Tortilla Chips:


You will need 4-6 depending on the size, mine were "large" size so 4 was sufficient, you may need more if yours are small, you will want 1 to 1 1/2 cups after crushing

On each corn tortilla brush a bit of olive oil on each side, then cut into 8 sections. Place in a single layer on a lightly greased baking sheet and salt as desired.

Bake for  about 10 minutes watching CAREFULLY, you want them to crisp but not get over brown.  They will crisp further as they cool.









Cool completely and crush well.














Meatloaf:

In a bowl mix seasonings.











Add in meat, egg, salsa, cheese and chips.
Mix until just combined.











Form into a round loaf.

I use slow cooker liners so it is easy to lift out. If you dont want to use that  take 4 long strips of heavy duty foil(about 3 inches by 18 inches) and place them across the bottom and up the sides crossing in the middle like a bike wheel. This will leave you a "handle" to pull the meat up.




If you are using the foil method, spray it well with cooking spray. Place loaf into the slow cooker and cook on low for 3-4 hours until a meat thermometer reads 165.

 In the last hour of cooking, combine the ketchup and taco sauce and spread over the top.

Remove it to a platter and allow to set for 10 minutes.


Slice and top as desired (we like dressing it just like a taco... shredded greens(we prefer baby spinach to the standard iceberg lettuce) some cheddar, more salsa and a dollop of sour cream.







* you can use commercial tortilla chips, about 1 to 1 1/2 cups crushed
**you can replace the double starred ingredients with about 3/4 of a packet of taco seasonings if you wish