Description
This Mashed Potato Meatloaf Casserole is a comforting, hearty dish featuring a savory ground beef meatloaf base topped with creamy mashed potatoes, crispy bacon bits, and melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for a family dinner, it combines the classic flavors of meatloaf and mashed potatoes in one easy casserole.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatloaf Mixture
- 1 ½ pounds ground beef (85/15)
- ¼ yellow onion, finely chopped
- â…” cup seasoned dry breadcrumbs
- â…“ cup whole milk
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
Mashed Potatoes
- 2 pounds potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
- â…“ cup unsalted butter
- ½ cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
Toppings
- ½ cup bacon bits, cooked and crumbled
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the meatloaf casserole.
- Prepare Meatloaf: In a large mixing bowl, gently combine the ground beef, finely chopped yellow onion, seasoned dry breadcrumbs, ⅓ cup whole milk, beaten egg, kosher salt, and black pepper. Mix until just combined to keep the meatloaf tender. Press the mixture evenly into a 9×9-inch baking dish.
- Bake Meatloaf: Place the baking dish uncovered in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes. After baking, carefully remove from the oven and drain any excess fat from the meatloaf.
- Cook Potatoes: While the meatloaf is baking, bring a pot of water to boil and add the peeled and chunked potatoes. Boil until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork, about 15 minutes. Once cooked, drain the potatoes thoroughly.
- Make Mashed Potatoes: Return the drained potatoes to the pot and add the unsalted butter, ½ cup whole milk, kosher salt, and black pepper. Mash the potatoes until smooth and creamy.
- Assemble Casserole: Evenly spread the mashed potatoes over the baked meatloaf layer in the baking dish. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon bits evenly on top.
- Final Bake: Return the casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese on top is fully melted and bubbling hot. Remove from oven and let it sit for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- Use 85/15 ground beef for the best balance of flavor and moisture.
- Seasoned breadcrumbs add extra flavor, but plain breadcrumbs with added herbs can be substituted.
- To save time, bacon bits can be pre-cooked or store-bought.
- For creamier mashed potatoes, you can add more butter or milk as needed during mashing.
- Letting the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving helps it set for easier slicing.
