Description
A comforting and hearty Loaded Potato & Meatloaf Casserole combining juicy ground beef meatloaf baked with creamy sour cream mashed potatoes, topped with melted cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, and fresh green onions, perfect as a satisfying main course.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatloaf Base
- 1 ½ pounds ground beef
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup milk
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Mashed Potato Topping
- 3 cups mashed potatoes (prepared)
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 2 green onions, chopped
- Nonstick cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×9 or 11×7-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Mix Meatloaf Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix gently until just combined to maintain a tender texture.
- Form Meatloaf Base: Press the meat mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, creating a uniform layer to serve as the meatloaf base.
- Initial Baking: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 25 minutes, allowing the meatloaf base to set and partially cook.
- Prepare Mashed Potato Mixture: While the meatloaf bakes, combine the prepared mashed potatoes with sour cream in a bowl. Stir until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Add Potato Layer and Toppings: After the initial 25 minutes of baking, carefully spread the mashed potato mixture evenly over the cooked meatloaf base. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon evenly on top.
- Final Bake: Return the casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the casserole is heated through.
- Rest and Garnish: Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes to set. Garnish with chopped green onions before serving.
Notes
- You can use leftover mashed potatoes or instant mashed potatoes to save preparation time.
- For a lighter version, substitute ground beef with ground turkey.
- Add chopped jalapeños or a splash of hot sauce to the mashed potatoes for a spicy twist.
- For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- Ensure bacon is cooked crispy to add texture contrast.
