Description
Mashed Potato Meatloaf Casserole is a comforting and hearty dish featuring a savory ground beef meatloaf base topped with creamy mashed potatoes, melted cheddar cheese, and crispy bacon bits. This casserole combines the flavors of a classic meatloaf with creamy mashed potatoes into a convenient, oven-baked meal that serves six.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatloaf
- 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 get it ready for baking the meatloaf and casserole.
- Prepare Meatloaf: In a large bowl, gently combine the ground beef, finely chopped yellow onion, seasoned dry breadcrumbs, ⅓ cup whole milk, lightly beaten egg, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, and ¼ teaspoon coarse ground black pepper. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overwork the meat to keep it tender. Press this mixture evenly into a 9×9-inch baking dish.
- Bake Meatloaf: Place the baking dish uncovered into the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes. After baking, carefully remove the dish from the oven and drain any excess fat to ensure the casserole isn’t greasy.
- Cook Potatoes: While the meatloaf is baking, bring a pot of salted water to a boil and add the peeled and chunked potatoes. Boil the potatoes until they are fork-tender, about 15 minutes, then drain well.
- Make Mashed Potatoes: Return the drained potatoes to the pot or a large bowl. Add ⅓ cup unsalted butter, ½ cup whole milk, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and ¼ teaspoon coarse ground black pepper. Mash the potatoes until smooth and creamy, adjusting seasoning if needed.
- Assemble Casserole: Spread the mashed potatoes evenly over the partially baked meatloaf in the baking dish. Sprinkle the top with the shredded cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon bits for extra flavor and texture.
- Final Bake: Return the casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden on top. Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- For best results, do not overmix the meatloaf ingredients to keep the texture tender.
- Use freshly cooked bacon bits for better flavor, or substitute with pre-cooked packaged bacon bits.
- You can prepare the mashed potatoes ahead of time and reheat gently before assembling.
- Feel free to swap cheddar cheese for your favorite melting cheese like mozzarella or Monterey Jack.
- Leftovers can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
