ULTIMATE CHEESY LOADED MEATLOAF CASSEROLE
This Cheesy Loaded Meatloaf Casserole is a comforting and flavorful meal featuring layers of savory meatloaf, creamy cheese, and your favorite toppings. Baked to golden perfection, it's an easy-to-make dish that's sure to be a family favorite.
Equipment
- 9x13 inch baking dish
- Large bowl
- Mixing spoons
- Meat thermometer
- Colander or strainer
- Oven
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs ground beef
- 1 cup breadcrumbs plain or Italian seasoned
- ½ cup milk
- 1 large egg, beaten
- ½ cup chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 4 cups cooked and mashed potatoes
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup crumbled cooked bacon optional
- ¼ cup chopped green onions optional
- ½ cup beef gravy optional, for serving
- Cooking spray or oil
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, onion, garlic, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Gently mix everything together with your hands until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Press the meatloaf mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Bake the meatloaf in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, or until it's cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
- Remove the meatloaf from the oven and carefully drain off any excess grease.
- Spread the mashed potatoes evenly over the top of the meatloaf.
- Sprinkle the cheddar and mozzarella cheeses over the mashed potatoes.
- If desired, sprinkle the crumbled bacon and green onions over the cheese.
- Return the casserole to the oven and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
- If desired, serve with a drizzle of beef gravy.
Notes
For a tender meatloaf, avoid overmixing the ingredients. Soaking the breadcrumbs in milk helps keep the meatloaf moist. Add sour cream or cream cheese to the mashed potatoes for extra creaminess. Customize the toppings with diced tomatoes, sauteed mushrooms, caramelized onions, or jalapenos. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes or microwave individual portions for 1-2 minutes.