Jalapeno Popper-Stuffed Meatloaf

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 0.67 cups bread crumbs
• 2 eggs , whisked
• 2 teaspoons salt , divided
• 1.5 teaspoons ground black pepper , divided
• 1 package cream cheese , 8 ounce
• 1 cup grated Cheddar cheese , Optional
• 3 jalapenos peppers , seeded and diced
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• aluminum foil
• 3 tablespoons barbeque sauce , or as needed
• 2 tablespoons grated Cheddar cheese , Optional

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

2. 2

   Mix together ground beef, bread crumbs, eggs, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper in a large bowl until combined. Press about 3/4 of the meat mixture into the bottom and up the sides of a loaf pan, leaving a well in the middle.

3. 3

   Mix together cream cheese, 1 cup Cheddar cheese, jalapeno peppers, garlic powder, remaining 1 teaspoon salt, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a separate bowl until combined. Press cream cheese mixture into the well of the meatloaf. Cover with remaining meat mixture, pressing along the edges to seal. Cover with aluminum foil.

4. 4

   Bake in the preheated oven until no longer pink in the center, 30 to 40 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 160 degrees F (70 degrees C). Remove from the oven, brush with barbeque sauce, and sprinkle with 2 tablespoons grated Cheddar. Set an oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven's broiler.

5. 5

   Place meatloaf under the broiler and cook until barbeque sauce is bubbly and cheese is melted, 2 to 3 minutes.