Description
Cowboy meatloaf and potato casserole brings hearty Western ranch flavors right to your dinner table with layers of ground beef, crispy potatoes, and cheesy goodness. Comforting and packed with classic ingredients, this dish delivers a satisfying meal that feels like a warm hug from your favorite cowboy aunt.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- ½ kg lean ground beef
- 1 cup bacon bites or crumbles
- 2 onions chopped
Seasoning and Binding:
- ⅓ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup Jack Daniels honey smokehouse barbeque sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
Dairy and Potato:
- 2.5 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
- 1 pack Ore-Ida steam n mash cut russet potatoes
- ⅓ cup evaporated milk
- ¼ cup crispy fried onions
- 1 tablespoon butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Combine 1 lb lean ground beef, 2 chopped onions, ⅓ cup breadcrumbs, 1 tsp salt, 2 tsp chili powder, and ¼ cup barbeque sauce in a large mixing bowl. Press the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- Bake the meat mixture for 25 minutes at 375°F, then carefully drain any accumulated fat from the dish.
- Microwave the Ore-Ida® steam n mash potatoes according to package directions. Transfer the cooked potatoes to a mixing bowl.
- Add 1 tbsp butter, 1 tbsp fresh parsley, and 1 tsp garlic powder to the potatoes. Mash with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
- Spread the mashed potatoes evenly over the partially cooked meat layer. Sprinkle 1 cup bacon bites and ¼ cup crispy fried onions across the top.
- Cover the casserole with 2½ cups shredded Mexican cheese blend.
- Broil for 5 minutes at 500°F until the cheese melts and develops golden brown edges.
- Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving hot.
Notes
- Check the ground beef’s fat content, as leaner meats can make the meatloaf dry and less flavorful.
- Drain excess fat after initial baking to prevent a greasy casserole and ensure a crisp top.
- Use frozen or instant mashed potatoes for a quicker preparation, but fresh potatoes will give a more authentic taste.
- For a gluten-free version, swap breadcrumbs with crushed gluten-free crackers or almond flour.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 530 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg