Description
Meatloaf casserole delivers pure comfort straight from your kitchen, packed with melted cheese and savory goodness that makes dinner feel like a warm family hug. Hearty layers of ground beef, crispy bacon, and gooey cheese create a satisfying meal your whole table will devour in minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 3 cups garlic mashed potatoes
- 1 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese
Binding and Flavor Ingredients:
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup Italian breadcrumbs
- ½ cup white onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Garnish and Topping:
- ⅓ cup crispy bacon
- 2 green onions
Instructions
- Heat your oven to 400°F and coat an 8-inch square baking dish with cooking spray.
- Mix 1 pound ground beef, ½ cup chopped white onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, and 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce in a large bowl.
- Incorporate 1 cup Italian breadcrumbs, 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Blend ingredients gently without overmixing.
- Transfer meat mixture into the prepared baking dish, pressing evenly across the bottom.
- Carefully spread 3 cups of garlic mashed potatoes in a smooth, consistent layer over the meat base.
- Sprinkle 1 ½ cups freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese across the potato surface.
- Scatter ⅓ cup crumbled crispy bacon over the cheese layer.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake at 400°F for 30 minutes.
- Remove foil and continue baking for 10-15 minutes until cheese melts and turns golden brown.
- Allow the casserole to rest for 10 minutes so flavors can settle.
- Optionally garnish with 2 sliced green onions before serving.
Notes
- Let the meatloaf rest after baking to help it set and make slicing easier.
- Use lean ground beef to prevent excess grease in the casserole.
- Mix the meat ingredients gently to keep the texture tender and prevent tough meatloaf.
- For a low-carb version, swap mashed potatoes with mashed cauliflower or a vegetable puree.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 470 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg