Hearty Loaded Potato & Meatloaf Casserole Recipe for Families

Comfort food takes a delightful turn with this loaded potato and meatloaf casserole that promises pure culinary bliss.

Hearty layers of seasoned ground beef meld seamlessly with creamy potatoes and melted cheese.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of savory and rich flavors that dance across your palate.

The classic meatloaf receives a delectable upgrade with crispy potato toppings and gooey cheese melts.

Packed with protein and guaranteed to satisfy even the most discerning hunger, this casserole transforms a simple dinner into a memorable meal.

Simple ingredients come together to create an extraordinary dish that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Dive into this comforting recipe and treat yourself to a truly indulgent dining experience.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Calories: 553 kcal

Servings: 5

All Ingredients For Loaded Potato And Meatloaf Casserole Recipe

• Potatoes: Creamy foundation that adds comforting texture and hearty substance, choose firm russet potatoes for best mashing consistency.
• Milk: Smooths and enriches potato texture, use whole milk for richer flavor.
• Butter: Adds luxurious richness and helps create silky mashed potatoes, select high-quality unsalted butter.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings that elevate potato flavor, freshly ground pepper provides more intense taste.

• Ground Beef: Protein-packed core of the dish, select lean ground beef for balanced flavor and texture.
• Onion: Provides aromatic depth and natural sweetness, fresh white onions work best.
• Garlic: Adds robust, pungent flavor that complements meat, use fresh minced garlic for maximum impact.
• Breadcrumbs: Helps bind ingredients and maintain moisture, plain or seasoned breadcrumbs work well.
• Eggs: Acts as binding agent to hold meatloaf together, use fresh room temperature eggs.
• Ketchup, Worcestershire Sauce, Mustard: Create complex flavor profile with tangy and savory notes, choose quality brands for best results.

• Cheddar Cheese: Melty, sharp topping that adds golden richness, sharp varieties provide more intense flavor.
• Bacon: Crispy, smoky element that provides delightful crunch, thick-cut bacon delivers best texture.
• Green Onions: Fresh garnish that adds bright color and mild onion flavor, thinly slice for even distribution.

Cooking Gear For Loaded Potato And Meatloaf Casserole Recipe

• Large pot: For boiling and draining potatoes.
• Potato masher or fork: To mash potatoes smoothly.
• Large mixing bowl: For combining meatloaf ingredients.
• 9×13-inch baking dish: To layer and bake the casserole.
• Measuring cups and spoons: For precise ingredient quantities.
• Sharp knife: To chop onions, garlic, and green onions.
• Cutting board: For safe and clean ingredient preparation.
• Cheese grater (optional): If using block cheese instead of pre-shredded.

Steps To Prepare Loaded Potato And Meatloaf Casserole Recipe

• Potato Preparation

Boil cubed potatoes in salted water until soft and tender. Drain and transform into creamy mashed potatoes by blending with milk, butter, salt, and pepper. Set aside for later layering.

• Meatloaf Foundation

Mix ground beef with aromatic onions, garlic, breadcrumbs, eggs, and savory condiments. Press the mixture evenly into a greased baking dish, creating a hearty base for the casserole.

• Initial Baking

Place the meatloaf in the oven and cook until juices run clear and meat is almost completely done. This creates a solid foundation for the remaining layers.

• Potato Layer

Gently spread the creamy mashed potatoes across the partially cooked meatloaf, creating a smooth and even surface that will meld perfectly with the meat beneath.

• Cheesy Bacon Topping

Sprinkle sharp cheddar cheese generously over the potato layer. Scatter crispy bacon pieces on top, adding a delightful crunch and smoky flavor to the dish.

• Final Bake

Return the casserole to the oven and bake until cheese melts into a golden, bubbly blanket that signals the dish is ready to devour.

• Serving

Allow the casserole to rest briefly, then garnish with fresh green onions. Serve piping hot and enjoy the comforting layers of flavor.

Tips To Boost Flavor In Loaded Potato And Meatloaf Casserole Recipe

• Potato and Meatloaf Casserole Pro Tips
• Meat Moisture Magic: Mix ground beef with a splash of milk and eggs to ensure your meatloaf stays incredibly juicy and tender, preventing any dry or tough texture.
• Potato Perfection Trick: Let mashed potatoes cool slightly before spreading to create a more stable layer that won't sink into the meatloaf base.
• Bacon Crispiness Hack: Pre-cook bacon until extra crispy before crumbling to add maximum crunch and concentrated flavor to the casserole topping.
• Low-Carb Transformation: Replace potatoes with cauliflower mash for a keto-friendly version that maintains the creamy, comforting essence of the original recipe.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or crushed gluten-free crackers to make the meatloaf layer celiac-friendly.

Serve Loaded Potato And Meatloaf Casserole Recipe With Ease

• Cozy Family Dinner Night: Gather everyone around the table for a hearty, comforting meal that feels like a warm hug. Kids and adults will love digging into this nostalgic dish together.
• Potluck Party Showstopper: Bring this crowd-pleasing casserole to your next gathering and watch it disappear quickly. It's guaranteed to be the star of the buffet table with its irresistible combination of meat and potatoes.
• Game Day Feast Companion: Serve alongside a crisp green salad or tangy coleslaw to balance the richness. Cold beer or iced tea makes the perfect beverage pairing for this satisfying meal that'll keep everyone full during sports watching.
• Weeknight Meal Makeover: Prep the casserole in advance and pop it in the oven when you get home from work. Top with extra cheese or swap bacon for green onions to keep things interesting and break up the dinner routine.

How To Store Loaded Potato And Meatloaf Casserole Recipe

• Fridge Fresh Keeping: Store leftovers in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Seal tightly to maintain flavor and prevent moisture absorption.
• Smart Reheating Method: Warm individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, covering with a damp paper towel to retain moisture and prevent drying out. Add a splash of milk when reheating mashed potatoes to restore creamy texture.
• Freezer Friendly Strategy: Wrap the entire casserole or individual portions in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating at 350F for 20-25 minutes.
• Meal Prep Magic: Prepare the meatloaf and potato layers separately earlier in the day or previous night. Assemble just before baking to maintain the freshest taste and optimal texture. Refrigerate components separately if preparing in advance, combining them right before cooking for best results.

Hearty Loaded Potato And Meatloaf Casserole Recipe

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4.8 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Hearty Loaded Potato and Meatloaf Casserole brings comfort food to new heights with its rich layers of savory meat and creamy potatoes. Cheese, bacon, and green onions crown this midwest classic that satisfies deep hunger with classic American culinary charm.

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Ingredients

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• 1 ½ lbs (680 g) ground beef
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup (60 g) breadcrumbs
• ¼ cup (60 ml) milk
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• ¼ cup (60 ml) ketchup
• 2 tbsps Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tbsp mustard
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 3 cups (about 4 medium) potatoes, peeled and cubed
• ½ cup (120 ml) milk
• 4 tbsps butter
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 ½ cups (150 g) shredded cheddar cheese
• 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Potato Preparation: Submerge potato cubes in salted water, boil until fork-tender around 15 minutes. Drain and whip into creamy mashed potatoes by blending milk, butter, salt, and pepper until silky smooth.
2. Meat Mixture Creation: Thoroughly combine ground beef with onions, garlic, breadcrumbs, milk, eggs, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and seasonings until uniformly integrated. Gently press mixture into greased baking dish, ensuring even distribution.
3. Initial Baking Phase: Roast meat foundation in preheated oven until meat browns and releases clear juices, indicating complete cooking. This foundational layer will provide robust flavor and structural integrity.
4. Potato Layer Application: Spread mashed potatoes evenly across meat surface, creating a seamless, elegant coverage that completely conceals underlying meat layer. Aim for consistent thickness to ensure balanced texture in each serving.
5. Cheese and Bacon Embellishment: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese generously over potato landscape, followed by crispy bacon fragments. These toppings will add rich, indulgent dimensions to the casserole’s flavor profile.
6. Final Baking and Melting: Return casserole to oven, allowing cheese to transform into a golden, bubbling blanket. Remove when cheese appears completely melted with slightly crisp edges, signaling optimal doneness.
7. Serving Presentation: Let casserole rest briefly for flavor melding. Garnish with delicate green onion slices and serve immediately while piping hot, presenting a comforting, multilayered culinary experience.

Notes

• Potato Perfection: Ensure potatoes are cut uniformly for even cooking and drain completely to prevent watery mashed potatoes.
• Meat Mixing Mastery: Avoid overmixing ground beef to prevent tough, dense meatloaf texture; gently combine ingredients just until integrated.
• Cheese and Bacon Balance: Shred cheese fresh for optimal melting and use crispy, well-drained bacon to prevent excess grease pooling on the casserole surface.
• Temperature Control: Let casserole rest 10-15 minutes after baking to help layers set and make cutting easier, maintaining structural integrity when serving.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 553
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 667 mg
• Fat: 35 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 124 mg