Description
Comfort meets indulgence in this cheesy loaded meatloaf casserole, blending classic American home cooking with irresistible flavor profiles. Melted cheese, savory meat, and hearty ingredients create a memorable meal that welcomes hungry diners to savor each satisfying bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1.5 pounds ground beef
- 6 strips bacon
- 1 egg
Starches and Dairy:
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 3 cups mashed potatoes
- 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 0.25 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- 2 tablespoons butter
Seasonings and Aromatics:
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Chopped green onions or chives
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating to 350°F and coating a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Combine ground beef with breadcrumbs, egg, diced onion, minced garlic, milk, Worcestershire sauce, and seasonings in a large mixing bowl, thoroughly blending ingredients until uniform.
- Evenly distribute the meat mixture across the prepared baking dish, creating a smooth, compact layer.
- Roast the meat base for 25-30 minutes, ensuring internal temperature reaches safe cooking point.
- While meatloaf bakes, craft creamy mashed potatoes by whipping together potatoes, butter, and sour cream until smooth and fluffy.
- After initial baking, layer the mashed potatoes uniformly over the cooked meat foundation.
- Generously sprinkle shredded cheese and crumbled bacon across the potato surface.
- Return the casserole to the oven for an additional 10-15 minutes, allowing cheese to melt and develop a golden, bubbling crust.
- Remove from oven and garnish with finely chopped green onions or chives for a fresh, vibrant finish.
- Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle and ease portioning.
Notes
- Trim excess fat from ground beef to reduce greasiness and create a leaner meatloaf base.
- Use fresh breadcrumbs instead of store-bought for a more tender texture and enhanced flavor profile.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives like almond meal or crushed gluten-free crackers.
- Make ahead and refrigerate unbaked meatloaf for up to 24 hours to develop deeper flavor and save preparation time on busy days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 488 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 670 mg
- Fat: 33 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 21 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg