Description
Cheesy loaded meatloaf casserole delivers comfort straight from your kitchen with hearty ground beef, melted cheese, and crispy bacon bits. Guaranteed to satisfy your family’s hunger and make dinner feel like a warm hug from home.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb ground pork
- 1 egg
Starch and Binding:
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 4 cups mashed potatoes
- ½ cup milk
Seasonings and Toppings:
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup chopped green onions
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to a precise 375°F and grab a large mixing bowl for preparing the meat mixture.
- Combine 1 lb ground beef, 1 lb ground pork, 1 cup breadcrumbs, 1 egg, and ½ cup milk in the bowl.
- Add 1 small finely chopped onion, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp salt, and ½ tsp black pepper to the meat mixture.
- Thoroughly blend all ingredients with your hands until everything is evenly distributed.
- Transfer the meat mixture into a greased baking dish, pressing it firmly and evenly across the bottom.
- Slide the dish into the 375°F oven and bake for exactly 30 minutes.
- After 30 minutes, carefully remove the baking dish from the oven.
- Spread 4 cups of mashed potatoes in a smooth, even layer across the top of the partially cooked meat.
- Sprinkle 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese generously over the potato layer.
- Return the dish to the 375°F oven and bake for an additional 20 minutes until the cheese melts completely.
- Optional: Garnish with ¼ cup chopped green onions before serving hot directly from the baking dish.
Notes
- Mix meats thoroughly but gently to keep the texture light and prevent a tough meatloaf.
- For extra flavor, consider adding a tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce or some fresh herbs to the meat mixture.
- Use leftover mashed potatoes to save time, or swap them with cauliflower mash for a lower-carb version.
- Drain excess fat after initial baking to prevent a greasy casserole and ensure a crispy top layer.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 638 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 854 mg
- Fat: 43 g
- Saturated Fat: 19 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 145 mg