Cheesy Stuffed Mexican Meatloaves

Serves 4.

Ingredients:

4 scallions, minced

2 bell peppers (of choice), thinly sliced into strips, or you can totally use poblanos too!

2 limes

1 cup jasmine rice

20 ounces ground pork

1/2 cup Panko

2 tablespoons southwest spice

1 cup Mexican cheese blend (or grate Colby instead)

1/2 cup sour cream

salsa (optional)

Directions:

1. Adjust rack to middle position and preheat oven to 450 degrees. Trim scallions and mince whites. Thinly slice bell peppers.  Quarter limes.

2. Place rice, 1¾ cup water, and a large pinch of salt in a medium, lidded pot. Bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, stir once, cover and reduce heat to low/simmer. NOW LEAVE IT ALONE!  Cook until tender, about 15 minutes. Turn off heat and keep covered until ready to serve.

3. In a medium bowl, combine ground pork, scallion whites, Panko, southwest spice, and 2 tsp. salt. Divide mixture into quarters and flatten into ½-inch-thick rounds. Set aside half the cheese for topping. Divide remaining cheese between each round. Fold edges of meat around cheese, sealing to create four, 1-inch-tall loaves.

4. Place meatloaves on one side of a lightly-oiled baking sheet (or just use parchment paper). Toss bell peppers on other side of sheet with a large drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper. Bake until meatloaves are just cooked through and peppers are lightly browned and tender, 15-20 minutes. Remove baking sheet from oven and top meatloaves with remaining cheese. Return to oven and bake until cheese has melted, about 2 minutes longer.

5. Fluff rice and 1 Tbsp. butter with a fork and season with salt and pepper. (I squeezed a lime wedge over rice and stirred to combine.)  Divide rice between plates. Top with meatloaves, roasted peppers, salsa (if desired), and a dollop of sour cream (I also squeezed a lime wedge over the sour cream). 

*Adapted from www.hellofresh.com