Description
🌟 Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this cheesy, bacon-loaded meatloaf casserole served over creamy mashed potatoes—your taste buds will thank you! 🧀🥓
🍴 Packed with rich flavors and hearty ingredients, this recipe is perfect for satisfying cravings and creating joy at your dinner table! 🥔❤️
Ingredients
Ground Meat – 1 ½ pounds of lean ground beef or substitute with ground turkey or extra lean ground beef
Onion – 1 cup of finely chopped white or yellow onion
Garlic – 2 cloves of minced garlic
Breadcrumbs – ½ cup of seasoned or Italian breadcrumbs
Worcestershire Sauce – 1 tablespoon
Egg – 1 large egg, lightly beaten
Potatoes – 2 pounds of peeled and diced potatoes or garlic-flavored instant mashed potatoes
Butter – 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter
Milk or Half and Half – 1 cup
Sour Cream (optional) – ¼ cup
Cheddar Cheese – 1 ½ cups of shredded cheddar cheese
Bacon – 6 strips of cooked and crumbled bacon
Seasonings – Kosher salt, ground black pepper, and 1 teaspoon of optional brown sugar
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure even cooking.
2. Gather all necessary ingredients and prepare your workspace.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground meat, finely chopped onions, minced garlic, seasoned breadcrumbs, Worcestershire sauce, a beaten egg, kosher salt, and ground black pepper. Mix thoroughly until well combined.
4. Spread the meat mixture evenly into a baking dish, pressing it down to create a smooth base layer.
5. Place the baking dish into the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes.
6. While the meatloaf base is baking, prepare the mashed potatoes by boiling peeled and diced potatoes until tender (about 15-20 minutes).
7. Drain the cooked potatoes and return them to the pot. Mash with butter, milk, optional sour cream, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.
8. Once the meatloaf base has baked for 25 minutes, remove it from the oven.
9. Spread the prepared mashed potatoes evenly over the meatloaf layer, covering the surface entirely.
10. Top the mashed potato layer with shredded cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon for a cheesy, crispy finish.
11. Return the assembled casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
12. Remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to cool for a few minutes before serving to ensure easier slicing.
13. Serve the casserole in generous slices, ensuring each piece includes all the layers, and enjoy your Cheesy Loaded Meatloaf Casserole with Creamy Mashed Potatoes and Bacon.
Notes
1. Add extra vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms to boost flavor and nutrition in your casserole.
2. Use garlic-flavored instant mashed potatoes for a quick and flavorful alternative to homemade mashed potatoes.
3. Experiment with different cheese combinations, such as mixing mozzarella and cheddar, for a richer and gooier topping.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 40
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American