Description
Loaded potato meatloaf casserole layers classic comfort flavors into one hearty dish. Bacon, cheese, and mashed potatoes create a dinner that feels familiar and filling.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatloaf Layer:
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 1 cup plain breadcrumbs
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- ½ cup diced onion
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
Mashed Potato Topping:
- 6 medium russet potatoes, peeled and diced
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup butter
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup milk
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Toppings:
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup cooked turkey bacon or bacon bits
- Optional: chopped green onions
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Mix 2 pounds ground beef, ½ cup diced onion, 2 tablespoons minced garlic, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper, 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, ¼ cup ketchup, 1 cup breadcrumbs, and 2 eggs in a large bowl until thoroughly combined.
- Press the meat mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish, creating a smooth, compact layer.
- Bake the meat base for exactly 20 minutes at 375°F to partially cook and develop flavor.
- While meat cooks, boil 6 peeled and diced russet potatoes in salted water until fork-tender, about 12-15 minutes.
- Drain potatoes completely and return to the pot, mashing with ¼ cup butter, ½ cup sour cream, ¼ cup milk, ½ cup shredded cheddar, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper until creamy.
- Remove meat from the oven and carefully spread the mashed potato layer across the surface, creating an even coating.
- Sprinkle an additional ½ cup shredded cheddar and ¼ cup crumbled bacon over the potato layer.
- Return the casserole to the 375°F oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese melts completely and edges turn golden brown.
- Allow the casserole to rest for 10 minutes, which helps it set and makes slicing easier. Garnish with chopped green onions if desired.
Notes
- Mashing potatoes while slightly warm helps create a smoother, creamier texture that spreads easily over the meatloaf.
- Choose lean ground beef to prevent excess grease pooling in the casserole and keep the dish lighter.
- Crumble bacon finely so it distributes evenly and provides a consistent crunch in every bite.
- For a gluten-free version, swap breadcrumbs with crushed gluten-free crackers or rolled oats.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg