If you’re craving a hearty, cheesy, and utterly delicious comfort meal, look no further than this Cheesy Loaded Meatloaf Casserole! This dish takes classic meatloaf to a whole new level by layering it with creamy mashed potatoes, crispy bacon, and a generous amount of gooey cheese. It’s the perfect one-pan meal that’s easy to make and guaranteed to impress. Whether for a family dinner or a cozy gathering, this casserole will have everyone coming back for seconds!
Ingredients
For the Meatloaf Layer:
- 1 ½ lbs ground beef (80/20 preferred)
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- ½ cup milk
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
For the Mashed Potato Layer:
- 3 large russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- ½ cup milk
- 4 tbsp butter
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ cup sour cream
For Topping:
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 4 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
- 2 tbsp chopped green onions (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Meatloaf Layer
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease the baking dish.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, diced onion, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, oregano, smoked paprika, and shredded cheddar cheese.
- Mix until well combined but avoid overmixing.
- Spread the meat mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish, pressing it down gently.Bake for 25 minutes until the meatloaf is cooked through.
Step 2: Prepare the Mashed Potatoes
- While the meatloaf bakes, place cubed potatoes in a large pot of salted water and bring to a boil.
- Cook until fork-tender (about 15 minutes), then drain.
- Mash the potatoes with butter, milk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and sour cream until smooth and creamy.
Step 3: Assemble the Casserole
- Remove the meatloaf from the oven and spread the mashed potatoes evenly over the top.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheese over the mashed potatoes.
- Top with crumbled bacon.
Step 4: Bake & Serve
- Return the casserole to the oven and bake for 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Garnish with chopped green onions, if desired, and enjoy!
FAQs
1. Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble the casserole, cover it, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, add an extra 10 minutes to the cooking time.
2. What’s the best ground beef to use?
An 80/20 blend (80% lean meat, 20% fat) provides the best balance of flavor and juiciness.
3. Can I use instant mashed potatoes?
Absolutely! If you’re short on time, prepare instant mashed potatoes according to package instructions and use them in place of homemade ones.
4. How do I store leftovers?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) or in the microwave.
5. Can I freeze this casserole?
Yes! Wrap the cooled casserole tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Cheesy Loaded Meatloaf Casserole
By:Ingredients
For the Meatloaf Layer:
- 1 ½ lbs ground beef 80/20 preferred
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- ½ cup milk
- 1 small onion finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
For the Mashed Potato Layer:
- 3 large russet potatoes peeled and cubed
- ½ cup milk
- 4 tbsp butter
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ cup sour cream
For Topping:
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 4 slices cooked bacon crumbled
- 2 tbsp chopped green onions for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a baking dish.
- In a bowl, mix ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, onion, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, oregano, smoked paprika, and cheddar.
- Spread meat mixture into the dish and bake for 25 minutes until cooked through.
- While baking, boil cubed potatoes in salted water until fork-tender (about 15 mins), then drain.
- Mash potatoes with butter, milk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and sour cream until smooth.
- Spread mashed potatoes over the baked meatloaf layer.
- Sprinkle shredded cheese over potatoes, then top with crumbled bacon.
- Bake for another 15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Garnish with chopped green onions if desired, and enjoy!
