Description
Hearty cheesy loaded meatloaf casserole brings comfort to family dinner tables with classic American flavors. Ground beef, melted cheese, and crispy bacon create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs (680 g) ground beef (or ground turkey, chicken, or beef/pork mix)
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 egg
- 0.5 cups (120 ml) breadcrumbs
- 0.25 cups (60 ml) ketchup
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning (or thyme/parsley)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the oven at 375F and coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
- In a spacious mixing vessel, thoroughly blend ground beef with finely chopped onion, crushed garlic, breadcrumbs, whisked egg, tangy ketchup, robust Worcestershire sauce, aromatic Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Gently fold ingredients until just incorporated, avoiding overmixing.
- Distribute the meat mixture evenly across the prepared baking dish, creating a uniform layer that will cook consistently.
- Roast the meat base for 20-25 minutes until the internal temperature reaches a safe 160F, ensuring complete protein cooking.
- Simultaneously, craft a luxurious potato topping by whisking mashed potatoes with velvety sour cream, sharp cheddar, smooth milk, seasoning with salt and pepper until achieving a silky, uniform consistency.
- Extract the partially cooked meatloaf from the oven and lavishly spread the creamy potato mixture across the surface, creating a complete coverage.
- Generously shower the potato layer with additional shredded cheddar for maximum cheesy indulgence.
- Return the casserole to the oven, baking for 15-20 minutes until cheese transforms into a golden, bubbling crust.
- Garnish with crispy crumbled bacon and freshly sliced green onions, adding textural contrast and vibrant flavor.
- Serve immediately while piping hot, allowing the layers to showcase their rich, comforting qualities.
Notes
- Prevent dry meatloaf by using a blend of ground meats like beef and pork for added moisture and richer flavor profile.
- Swap breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or crushed gluten-free crackers for those with dietary restrictions.
- Reduce fat content by using lean ground beef, turkey, or chicken and replacing some cheese with nutritional yeast for similar cheesy taste.
- Enhance meal prep by assembling casserole ahead of time and refrigerating, then baking when ready to serve, which helps flavors meld together more intensely.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg