Description
Comfort meets indulgence in this cheesy loaded meatloaf casserole, a hearty dish that blends classic American flavors with modern culinary creativity. Packed with savory ground beef, melted cheese, and crispy toppings, you’ll savor each rich, satisfying bite of this ultimate comfort meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound (1 lb) ground beef
- 1/2 cup bacon bits (optional)
- 1 large egg
Cheese and Dairy:
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 cups mashed potatoes
Dry Ingredients and Seasonings:
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup onion, diced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- salt
- pepper
Instructions
- Thoroughly blend ground beef with eggs, breadcrumbs, finely chopped onions, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and ketchup until ingredients are uniformly incorporated.
- Transfer the meat mixture into a lightly greased rectangular baking dish, pressing and smoothing the surface to create an even layer.
- Carefully spread a uniform layer of creamy mashed potatoes across the entire meat base, ensuring complete coverage.
- Generously distribute shredded cheese over the potato layer, creating a rich and golden topping.
- Optional: Sprinkle crispy bacon bits across the cheese for additional flavor and texture.
- Place the casserole in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) and bake for 25-30 minutes, monitoring until cheese melts completely and meat reaches safe internal temperature.
- Remove from oven and allow the casserole to rest for 5-7 minutes, enabling flavors to settle and making it easier to slice and serve.
Notes
- Blend ground beef mixture gently to avoid tough, dense texture; overmixing can make meatloaf rubbery and compact.
- Drain excess fat after cooking to reduce greasiness and keep casserole lighter and more appetizing.
- Use lean ground beef (90/10) for healthier version without sacrificing flavor, reducing overall calorie and fat content.
- Consider gluten-free alternative by substituting breadcrumbs with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs for celiac or gluten-sensitive individuals.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 475 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 33 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg