Cheddar Chorizo Meatloaf with Honey Chipotle Glaze

If you’re looking to elevate your traditional meatloaf, this Cheddar Chorizo Meatloaf with Honey Chipotle Glaze delivers big, bold flavors with a spicy, smoky, and slightly sweet kick. By swapping out the usual ground beef for rich, seasoned Mexican chorizo, this dish brings a whole new dimension to an all-time comfort food favorite.

This Mexican-inspired meatloaf is crowned with a sweet and smoky honey chipotle glaze, crafted by blending dried chipotle peppers with their soaking liquid for an intense, well-rounded heat. The glaze caramelizes beautifully as the meatloaf bakes, sealing in moisture while creating a sticky, flavorful crust. A blanket of melted sharp cheddar cheese finishes it off, adding a gooey, savory richness that perfectly balances the spice.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• All Chorizo, No Beef: Unlike traditional meatloaf, this version uses 100% Mexican chorizo, giving it a deep, complex flavor with just the right amount of kick.
• Honey Chipotle Glaze: A perfect harmony of smoky, spicy, and sweet, made with real dried chipotle peppers blended into a velvety sauce.
• Melty Cheddar Topping: Sharp cheddar cheese provides a creamy, salty contrast to the bold meatloaf, making every bite impossible to resist.
• Easy to Make: Despite its complex flavors, this one-pan meal comes together quickly and bakes perfectly in a standard loaf pan.
• Great for Leftovers: Slice it thin for next-day sandwiches or serve over rice for a quick and satisfying meal.

What Makes This Chorizo Meatloaf Stand Out?

The heart of this dish is Mexican chorizo—a fresh, uncooked sausage packed with paprika, garlic, vinegar, and a signature spice blend. Unlike Spanish chorizo, which is cured, Mexican chorizo breaks down beautifully when cooked, infusing the meatloaf with its natural smokiness and rich, fatty texture.

The honey chipotle glaze amplifies the natural smokiness of the chorizo while adding an addictive sticky finish. Crafted with blended dried chipotle peppers, honey, Dijon mustard, and tomato paste, this glaze delivers a slow-building heat with just enough sweetness to round it out perfectly.

Serving Suggestions

• Grilled Vegetables: Zucchini, peppers, and onions add brightness and freshness to balance the richness.
• Garlic Mashed Potatoes: A classic side that soaks up all that delicious extra glaze.
• Street Corn Salad: A bright, tangy contrast to the rich, smoky chorizo flavors.
• Crispy Roasted Sweet Potatoes: Their natural sweetness perfectly complements the heat from the chipotle.

If you love spicy, smoky, and cheesy comfort food, this Mexican-inspired chorizo meatloaf is a must-try. Whether you’re making it for a weeknight dinner, meal prep, or a showstopping dish to impress guests, this meatloaf delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort. The leftovers are just as good, if not better, the next day—perfect for sandwiches or crumbled into breakfast tacos.

Try it out and let me know how it turns out! Looking for more Mexican-fusion comfort food? Stay tuned for more bold, flavor-packed recipes that bring the heat to your dinner table.

Cheddar Chorizo Meatloaf with Honey Chipotle Glaze

Recipe by Kyle Taylor

4.0 from 2 votes

Course: MainsCuisine: FusionDifficulty: Easy

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

20

minutes

Cooking time

50

minutes

Total time

1

hour 

10

minutes

This Cheddar Chorizo Meatloaf is bold, smoky, and packed with spice, featuring 100% chorizo, a honey chipotle glaze, and melted cheddar. The glaze caramelizes beautifully, balancing sweet heat with savory depth, making every bite rich, flavorful, and completely unforgettable.

Ingredients

• For the Meatloaf

• 2 pounds chorizo

• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs

• 1 small onion, diced

• 3 cloves of garlic, minced

• 1 egg, lightly beaten

• 1/4 cup milk

• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

• 1 tablespoon paprika

• 1 teaspoon ground cumin

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

• 1 cup shard cheddar cheese, shredded

• for garnish, freshly chopped cilantro

• For the Honey Chipotle Glaze

• 2 dried chipotle peppers

• 1/4 cup hot water

• 1/4 cup honey

• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

• 1 tablespoon tomato paste

• to taste, salt

Directions

• Prepare the Dried Chipotle Peppers:
  Place dried chipotle peppers in a small bowl and cover with hot water. Let them soak for 10 minutes until softened. Once rehydrated, remove the seeds and blend with the water into a smooth paste.
• Make the Honey Chipotle Glaze:
  In a small saucepan over medium heat, whisk together honey, rehydrated chipotle paste, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, tomato paste, and salt. Simmer for 9-10 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and set aside.
• Prepare the Meatloaf Mixture:
  Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Combine the chorizo, breadcrumbs, onion, garlic, egg, milk, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, cumin, salt, and ground black pepper in a large bowl. Mix gently until just combined—don’t overwork it.
• Shape and Bake the Meatloaf:
  Lightly grease a loaf pan and press the meat mixture evenly into it. Brush the top with half of the honey chipotle glaze. Bake for 45 minutes.
• Add the Cheddar and Finish Baking:
  Remove the meatloaf from the oven and sprinkle shredded cheddar evenly over the top. Return to the oven and bake for 10-15 more minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
• Rest and Serve:
  Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Drizzle with the remaining glaze and garnish with freshly chopped cilantro.

SUGGESTED RECIPE: Italian Sausage Meatloaf with Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce

If you’re loving the bold, smoky flavors of this Cheddar Chorizo Meatloaf, let’s take a detour to Italy. Imagine a rich, herb-packed Italian Sausage Meatloaf, baked to perfection and smothered in a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce. The deep savoriness of the sausage meets the tangy, umami punch of sun-dried tomatoes, creating a dish that’s rustic, comforting, and absolutely packed with flavor. Serve it with garlic mashed potatoes or roasted veggies, and you’ve got a meatloaf that’s anything but ordinary.