Preheat and Prep: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a standard loaf pan or line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, crushed tortilla chips, eggs, milk, diced onion, minced garlic, taco seasoning, ½ cup salsa, ½ cup cheese, chopped cilantro, salt, and black pepper.

Mix Gently: Use clean hands or a wooden spoon to mix everything gently just until combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the meatloaf incredibly tender.

Shape the Loaf: Shape the mixture into a solid loaf and place it into the prepared pan or directly onto the lined baking sheet.

Glaze: Spread the remaining ⅓ cup of salsa evenly over the top of the raw meatloaf.

Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 40–45 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches exactly 160°F (71°C).

Melt the Cheese: Remove from the oven, sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of shredded cheese evenly over the top, and return to the oven for 5 minutes until completely melted and bubbling.

Rest and Serve: Remove the meatloaf from the oven and let it rest for 8–10 minutes before slicing. This mandatory step helps it hold its shape.