I’ve been craving meatloaf for weeks, but I was a little reluctant to make a classic meatloaf because there are a million and two recipes for “classic meatloaf” out there, all of which claim to be the absolute best. 
So, I decided to throw just a little spin on the classic and make this cheese studded Cheddar Cheeseburger Meatloaf. This meatloaf-cheeseburger hybrid is just as comforting as the kind mom used to make, but with a little more personality (hello, melty nuggets of cheddar!). And hey, if you prefer a regular old meatloaf, just leave the cheddar out and you’ll be gold.
What Kind of Beef Should I Use for Cheeseburger Meatloaf?
I suggest using an 85/15 ground beef because the higher fat content ensures a more tender and moist meatloaf. You can use a lower fat ground beef, but your meatloaf will likely be a little more firm and less juicy.
Can I Use a Different Type of Cheese?
As I was eating this meatloaf my mind started wandering to all the different types of cheese that would work well here. Blue cheese, swiss, feta, gouda… OMG, the possibilities! Yeah, so I would definitely encourage experimentation with the cheese in this recipe. I will say though, that during the testing phase I tried both mild cheddar and sharp cheddar, and the sharp cheddar was far better than the mild.
Ingredients
2 lbs ground beef1 1/2 cups Italian breadcrumbs (or plain)0.75 (16 ounce) jar mild salsa1/4 cup ketchup1/2 cup cheddar cheese or 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, small diced2 dashes basil2 dashes oregano2 dashes onion powder2 dashes garlic powder1 pinch salt1 pinch pepper1 eggshredded cheese, for the top
Directions:
1 Mix all ingredients except shredded cheese for the top.2 Form mixture into a loaf pan.3 spread a very thin layer of ketchup on top.4 Bake at 375 for about 1 – 1 1/2 hours top with cheese, Bake until cheese melts. if the top looks too cooked cover with foil and reduce heat to 350.