Description
This meatloaf casserole delivers pure comfort straight to your dinner table, packed with cheesy goodness and hearty flavors your family will devour in minutes. Grab ground beef, cheese, and simple pantry staples to whip up this satisfying meal that always brings smiles around the kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 eggs
Supporting Ingredients:
- ½ cup onion, chopped
- ½ cup bell pepper, chopped
- ½ cup shredded cheese
Seasoning and Condiments:
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Warm your oven to precisely 350F and grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish to prevent sticking.
- Grab a spacious mixing bowl and crumble 1 lb ground beef into it, breaking up any large chunks with your hands.
- Add 1 cup breadcrumbs, ½ cup chopped onion, and ½ cup diced bell pepper to the meat mixture.
- Sprinkle in ½ cup shredded cheese, creating delicious pockets of melty goodness throughout the dish.
- Crack 2 eggs directly into the bowl, whisking them slightly before mixing into the meat blend.
- Pour ¼ cup ketchup over the ingredients, then season with 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt, and ½ tsp pepper.
- Use your hands to thoroughly combine all ingredients, ensuring even distribution of seasonings and vegetables.
- Transfer the complete meat mixture into the prepared casserole dish, spreading it evenly to create a uniform layer.
- Slide the casserole into the preheated oven and bake for exactly 45 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 160F.
- Remove from the oven and allow the meatloaf to rest for 5-7 minutes, which helps the juices redistribute before serving.
Notes
- Ground beef works best when it’s not too lean, so choose 80/20 for maximum flavor and juiciness.
- Chop vegetables finely to ensure they distribute evenly and cook through completely in the casserole.
- Allow the meatloaf to rest after baking, which helps the juices redistribute and makes slicing easier.
- For a gluten-free version, swap breadcrumbs with crushed gluten-free crackers or almond flour to maintain the right texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 180 mg