Description
Cheesy loaded meatloaf casserole brings comfort straight to your dinner table with hearty ground beef, melted cheese, and crispy bacon bits. Comfort never tasted so good when your family gathers around to devour this classic dish that feels like a warm hug on a plate.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 1 pound ground beef
- ½ pound ground pork
- ½ cup cooked and crumbled bacon
Binders and Fillers:
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- ½ cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 2 cups mashed potatoes
Seasonings and Toppings:
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup chopped green onions
Instructions
- Prepare your workspace by preheating the oven to 375°F and greasing a 9×13-inch casserole dish thoroughly with cooking spray.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 pound ground beef, ½ pound ground pork, 1 small finely chopped onion, 1 cup breadcrumbs, ½ cup milk, and 1 large egg until the mixture feels consistently blended.
- Add 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 2 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, and 1 teaspoon garlic powder to the meat mixture. Blend everything until seasonings are evenly distributed.
- Transfer the entire meat mixture into the prepared casserole dish, using your hands to press and spread it into an even layer that covers the entire bottom.
- Carefully spread 2 cups of mashed potatoes over the meat layer, smoothing the surface with a spatula to create a uniform thickness.
- Generously sprinkle 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese across the potato layer, ensuring complete coverage.
- Scatter ½ cup crumbled bacon pieces over the cheese, creating a delicious scattered pattern.
- Garnish the top with ¼ cup chopped green onions for a fresh, vibrant finish.
- Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for exactly 35 minutes, watching for golden cheese and bubbling edges.
- Remove the casserole and allow it to rest for 5 minutes before cutting into hearty portions.
Notes
- Mix the meats thoroughly but gently to keep the texture light and prevent the meatloaf from becoming dense and tough.
- Choose lean ground beef and pork for a less greasy casserole, but don’t go too lean or the dish might dry out.
- Drain the bacon on paper towels before crumbling to reduce excess grease and keep the top crisp.
- For a gluten-free version, swap regular breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed pork rinds to maintain the binding and texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 464 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 1030 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 17 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 31 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg