Description
This Loaded Potato & Meatloaf Casserole is a comforting, hearty dish that combines savory ground beef meatloaf with creamy mashed potatoes, melted cheddar cheese, and crispy bacon. Perfect for a family dinner, this casserole layers a flavorful meatloaf base topped with cheesy mashed potatoes and garnished with green onions for a satisfying and delicious meal.
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 ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix gently until just combined to keep the meatloaf tender.
- Form Meatloaf Base: Press the meat mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, creating a uniform layer that will serve as the base of the casserole.
- Bake Meatloaf Base: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake the meatloaf base for 25 minutes until it begins to set and is partially cooked.
- Prepare Mashed Potato Topping: While the meatloaf bakes, mix together the mashed potatoes and sour cream in a separate bowl until smooth and creamy.
- Assemble Casserole: After the meatloaf base has baked, carefully spread the sour cream mashed potato mixture evenly over the top of the meatloaf layer in the baking dish.
- Add Cheese and Bacon: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese and crumbled cooked bacon evenly over the mashed potato layer to add flavor and texture.
- Final Bake: Return the casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
- Rest and Garnish: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Sprinkle chopped green onions on top for a fresh finish.
- Serve: Cut into 6 servings and enjoy this hearty and flavorful casserole warm.
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 dash of hot sauce to the mashed potatoes for a spicy twist.
- To make this dish gluten-free, use gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- Cook bacon to your preferred crispiness before crumbling it over the casserole.
