Description
Hearty Midwestern comfort meets pure culinary magic in this loaded potato & meatloaf casserole. Cheesy potato layers mingle with savory ground beef, creating a soul-warming dish that brings family together around the dinner table with pure satisfaction.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 ½ pounds (680 grams) ground beef
- 2 large eggs
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
Starch and Binding Ingredients:
- ½ cup (60 grams) breadcrumbs
- 3 cups (about 4 medium) potatoes, peeled and cubed
- ½ cup (60 milliliters) milk
Flavor Enhancers and Seasonings:
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) ketchup
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 ½ cups (150 grams) shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
Instructions
- Peel and cube potatoes, then submerge in generously salted water. Heat until boiling and simmer for approximately 15 minutes until tender when pierced with a fork.
- Drain potatoes and transform into creamy mashed potatoes by incorporating milk, butter, salt, and pepper. Set mixture aside at room temperature.
- Combine ground beef with diced onions, crushed garlic, breadcrumbs, milk, eggs, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, salt, and pepper in a spacious mixing bowl. Blend ingredients thoroughly until cohesive.
- Transfer meat mixture into a greased rectangular baking dish, pressing and distributing evenly across the surface.
- Place meatloaf layer into a preheated 375°F (190°C) oven. Roast for 20-25 minutes until meat is nearly fully cooked and liquid runs transparent.
- Gently spread prepared mashed potatoes across the partially cooked meat foundation, ensuring uniform coverage.
- Lavishly scatter shredded cheddar cheese over potato layer, then sprinkle crumbled bacon across the top.
- Return casserole to oven and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until cheese melts completely and turns golden and effervescent.
- Remove from oven and allow casserole to rest for several minutes. Garnish with finely sliced green onions before serving piping hot.
Notes
- Potato Perfection: Boil potatoes just until fork-tender to prevent them from becoming mushy and waterlogged, which can ruin the texture of your mashed potatoes.
- Lean Meat Option: Choose ground beef with a lower fat percentage (90/10) for a healthier version without sacrificing flavor, ensuring the meatloaf remains moist.
- Bacon Brilliance: Crisp the bacon separately before crumbling to add extra crunch and prevent soggy toppings, elevating the overall texture of the casserole.
- Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire casserole up to the final baking stage, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours, making it perfect for meal prep or entertaining.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 150mg