This Doritos Meatloaf is a fun, rebellious twist on a classic comfort food. It turns a bag of your favorite chips into a moist, flavor-packed main dish with incredible texture. Perfect for a regular Tuesday or a casual gathering.
If you're looking for the perfect Doritos Meatloaf, you're in the right place. Whether you love Meatloaf Recipes or want to explore our Christmas Cookie collection, we've got you covered.
Why You’ll Love This Doritos Meatloaf
- Unforgettable Flavor: Doritos melt into the meat, infusing every bite with cheesy, tangy flavor.
- Moist & Tender: The chips and beef fat keep this meatloaf incredibly juicy.
- Fun to Make: Crushing chips and adding the cheesy topping is a joyful process.
- Uses Leftover Chips: Gives nearly-finished bags a delicious purpose.
Ingredients & Tools
- 1.5 lbs ground beef (80/20 blend is ideal for moisture)
- 1 (9.75 oz) bag Nacho Cheese Doritos, finely crushed (reserve 1/4 cup for topping)
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup finely diced yellow onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup ketchup, divided
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 tsp each salt and black pepper (taste after mixing, as Doritos are salty)
Tools: A standard 9×5-inch loaf pan, a large mixing bowl, a small bowl for the glaze, and a fork or potato masher for crushing the Doritos.
Notes: Don’t be shy with the Doritos crushing—you want a mix of fine powder and a few small chunks for that amazing texture. The fat content in the beef is also key here; it works with the oils from the chips to create an unbelievably moist final product.
Nutrition (per serving)
| Calories: | 480 kcal |
| Protein: | 28 g |
| Fat: | 27 g |
| Carbs: | 28 g |
| Fiber: | 2 g |
Serves: 6 | Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cook Time: 55 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Before You Start: Tips & Ingredient Notes
- Which Doritos flavor works best? While Nacho Cheese is the classic and my personal favorite, Cool Ranch works beautifully for a herby, tangy twist. Just avoid the super intensely flavored or spicy varieties for your first try, as they can overpower the other ingredients.
- Don’t skip the milk. It might seem like a small ingredient, but it’s crucial for rehydrating the crushed Doritos and ensuring the final meatloaf is tender and not dense. The milk helps the starches in the chips soften perfectly during baking.
- How to crush Doritos without a mess. Leave the chips in the bag, squeeze out the air, and use a rolling pin or a heavy-bottomed pan to crush them. You can also pulse them a few times in a food processor, but be careful not to turn them into a complete powder—a little texture is good!
- Mix with a light hand. Overmixing the meatloaf is the number one cause of a tough, dense texture. Use your hands or a fork and mix just until the ingredients are combined. It should look a bit shaggy, not like a homogenous paste.
How to Make Doritos Meatloaf
Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients. Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). This is key for an even cook. Finely dice your onion and mince the garlic—you want these to blend seamlessly into the meat mixture. In your large mixing bowl, lightly beat the egg. This is your foundation, and getting everything prepped now makes the assembly a breeze.
Step 2: Crush the Doritos. This is the fun part! Take your bag of Doritos and crush them right inside the bag using a rolling pin or the bottom of a pan. You’re aiming for a mixture that’s mostly fine crumbs with a few pea-sized pieces for texture. Pour about three-quarters of the crushed chips into the bowl with the egg, reserving the rest for that crunchy topping later.
Step 3: Combine the Meatloaf Base. To the bowl with the egg and Doritos, add the milk, diced onion, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Give this all a good stir with a fork until it’s well combined. You’ll notice the milk will immediately start to soften the Dorito crumbs, creating a thick, flavorful paste.
Step 4: Gently Add the Meat and Cheese. Now, add the ground beef and shredded cheddar cheese to the bowl. This is where a light touch is crucial. Using your hands, gently mix everything together. Fold and turn the mixture just until the beef is evenly coated and there are no large pockets of dry ingredients. The mixture will be moist and hold together easily.
Step 5: Shape and Transfer. Lightly grease your loaf pan. Transfer the meat mixture into the pan and press it down gently to form an even loaf. You don’t want to pack it down too firmly—just enough so it holds its shape. A light press ensures it cooks evenly and stays tender.
Step 6: Create the Flavorful Glaze. In a small bowl, mix about 1/4 cup of the ketchup with a tablespoon of the reserved crushed Doritos. This creates a sticky, tangy, and slightly crunchy glaze. Spread this mixture evenly over the top of the unbaked meatloaf. Then, sprinkle the remaining crushed Doritos over the glaze for an extra layer of crunch and cheesy flavor.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection. Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 50-60 minutes. You’re looking for the top to be beautifully browned and the internal temperature to reach 160°F (71°C) when tested with an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center. The aroma filling your kitchen will be absolutely incredible.
Step 8: Rest Before Slicing. This might be the hardest step, but it’s non-negotiable! Once out of the oven, let the meatloaf rest in the pan on a wire rack for at least 10-15 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the loaf, which means you’ll get clean, moist slices instead of a crumbly mess.
Storage & Freshness Guide
- Fridge: Cool completely, wrap tightly, and store for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Wrap whole loaf or slices tightly and freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reviving: Reheat slices in a 300°F oven until warm, or enjoy cold in sandwiches.
Serving Suggestions
Complementary Dishes
- Classic Creamy Mashed Potatoes — The ultimate comfort food pairing. The creamy, buttery potatoes are the perfect canvas for the bold, savory flavors of the Doritos meatloaf.
- Simple Steamed Green Beans with Garlic — A bright, crisp vegetable side helps cut through the richness of the meatloaf and adds a lovely color contrast to the plate.
- A Crisp, Tangy Coleslaw — The vinegar-based crunch of a good coleslaw provides a refreshing counterpoint and a different texture that complements the meatloaf beautifully.
Drinks
- A Cold, Crisp Lager — The clean, effervescent quality of a lager washes down the rich, cheesy flavors perfectly and cleanses the palate between bites.
- Iced Tea with Lemon — For a non-alcoholic option, the slight bitterness and citrus notes in an unsweetened iced tea balance the savory depth of the dish wonderfully.
Something Sweet
- W
Doritos Meatloaf
Learn how to make this incredible Doritos Meatloaf! A moist, cheesy, and flavor-packed twist on a classic. Get the easy recipe and start cooking tonight.
Ingredients
For the Meatloaf
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1.5 lbs ground beef (80/20 blend is ideal for moisture)
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1 bag Nacho Cheese Doritos (9.75 oz, finely crushed (reserve 1/4 cup for topping))
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1 large egg (lightly beaten)
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1/2 cup whole milk
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1/2 cup finely diced yellow onion
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2 cloves garlic (minced)
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1/2 cup ketchup (divided)
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1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
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1 tsp smoked paprika
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1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
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1/2 tsp salt and black pepper (each, taste after mixing, as Doritos are salty)
Instructions
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Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Finely dice your onion and mince the garlic. In your large mixing bowl, lightly beat the egg.01
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Take your bag of Doritos and crush them right inside the bag using a rolling pin or the bottom of a pan. Pour about three-quarters of the crushed chips into the bowl with the egg, reserving the rest for that crunchy topping later.02
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To the bowl with the egg and Doritos, add the milk, diced onion, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Give this all a good stir with a fork until it’s well combined.03
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Add the ground beef and shredded cheddar cheese to the bowl. Using your hands, gently mix everything together. Fold and turn the mixture just until the beef is evenly coated and there are no large pockets of dry ingredients.04
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Lightly grease your loaf pan. Transfer the meat mixture into the pan and press it down gently to form an even loaf.05
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In a small bowl, mix about 1/4 cup of the ketchup with a tablespoon of the reserved crushed Doritos. Spread this mixture evenly over the top of the unbaked meatloaf. Then, sprinkle the remaining crushed Doritos over the glaze for an extra layer of crunch and cheesy flavor.06
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Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 50-60 minutes. You’re looking for the top to be beautifully browned and the internal temperature to reach 160°F (71°C) when tested with an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center.07
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Once out of the oven, let the meatloaf rest in the pan on a wire rack for at least 10-15 minutes.08
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