Description
Mouthwatering cheesy loaded meatloaf casserole brings comfort and excitement to family dinner tables. Packed with rich flavors and hearty ingredients, you’ll savor every delicious bite of this classic American comfort dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Ingredients:
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef
- 1/2 lb (225g) ground pork (optional)
Binding and Flavoring Ingredients:
- 1 cup (100g) breadcrumbs
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1/3 cup (80ml) milk
- 1/2 cup (75g) diced onion
- 1/4 cup (60ml) ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Mashed Potato Layer Ingredients:
- 3 cups (450g) mashed potatoes (prepared and seasoned to taste)
- 1/4 cup (60ml) sour cream
- 1/2 cup (120ml) milk
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Topping Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups (150g) shredded cheddar cheese
- 4 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
- 2 tablespoons chopped green onions
Instructions
- Craft a robust meat foundation by gently blending ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, diced onion, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a spacious mixing vessel. Ensure ingredients are harmoniously integrated without excessive manipulation.
- Transfer the meat mixture into a generously greased 9×9-inch baking vessel, pressing the composition uniformly to create a consistent layer that will serve as the casserole’s hearty base.
- Position the baking dish in a preheated 375°F (190°C) oven, allowing the meat layer to partially cook for approximately 25 minutes. The protein should develop initial firmness without achieving complete doneness.
- Simultaneously, transform prepared mashed potatoes into a luxurious topping by whisking in sour cream, milk, and garlic powder until the mixture achieves a silky, uniform consistency.
- Extract the partially cooked meat layer and delicately spread the creamy potato mixture across its surface, creating a smooth, even coating.
- Lavishly distribute shredded cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon over the potato layer, ensuring comprehensive coverage for maximum flavor intensity.
- Return the casserole to the oven, continuing baking for 15-20 minutes until the cheese melts into a golden, effervescent blanket and the edges develop a tantalizing crispness.
- Once removed from the oven, garnish with finely chopped green onions to introduce a fresh, vibrant element. Allow the casserole to settle for 5 minutes before serving, enabling flavors to harmonize and structural integrity to stabilize.
Notes
- Blend meats gently to keep the texture tender and prevent tough, dense meatloaf.
- Drain excess fat after initial meatloaf baking to reduce greasiness and improve overall dish appearance.
- Use lean ground beef (90/10) for a healthier version without compromising flavor and moisture.
- Consider gluten-free breadcrumbs or almond flour for a low-carb alternative that maintains the casserole’s structure.
- Prep Time: 20minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 90mg