Description
A comforting and hearty Cheesy Loaded Beef Meatloaf Casserole featuring a flavorful ground beef base topped with creamy mashed potatoes, melted cheddar cheese, and crispy bacon. Perfect for a family-friendly dinner that combines classic meatloaf flavors with a delicious casserole twist.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatloaf Layer
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef
- 1/2 cup (60g) breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup (60ml) milk
- 1 egg
- 1/2 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Mashed Potato Layer
- 2 cups (450g) mashed potatoes (homemade or store-bought)
- 1/4 cup (60ml) sour cream or cream cheese (optional)
- 1/4 cup (60ml) milk (if needed to loosen the potatoes)
Toppings
- 1 cup (100g) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup (60g) cooked and crumbled bacon
- 2 tbsp chopped green onions or parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a medium casserole dish to prevent sticking and facilitate easy cleanup.
- Prepare the Meatloaf Layer: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef with breadcrumbs, milk, egg, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well blended. Press the meat mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared casserole dish.
- Bake the Meatloaf Base: Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake the meatloaf layer for 20 minutes. This partially cooks the beef and allows it to set.
- Prepare Mashed Potatoes: In a separate bowl, mix the mashed potatoes with sour cream or cream cheese for extra creaminess. If the mixture is too thick, add milk gradually until the desired consistency is reached.
- Assemble the Casserole: Remove the casserole dish from the oven. Spread the creamy mashed potatoes evenly over the partially baked meatloaf layer. Then, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon evenly on top of the mashed potatoes.
- Bake the Casserole: Return the casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and turned golden brown.
- Garnish and Serve: Allow the casserole to cool for 5 minutes before garnishing with chopped green onions or parsley. Slice and serve warm for a satisfying meal.
Notes
- Use homemade mashed potatoes for better flavor and texture or store-bought for convenience.
- Sour cream or cream cheese is optional but adds richness to the mashed potatoes.
- You can substitute bacon with cooked sausage or omit for a bacon-free version.
- Letting the casserole rest before serving helps it set and makes slicing easier.
- For a lower-fat option, use lean ground beef and reduced-fat cheese.
