Description
This Cheesy Loaded Meatloaf Casserole is a comforting and hearty dish combining seasoned ground beef baked to perfection, topped with creamy mashed potatoes and melted cheddar cheese. Enhanced with savory spices, garlic, and a touch of Worcestershire sauce, this casserole brings all the classic meatloaf flavors in an easy-to-make layered dish, perfect for family dinners or meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatloaf Layer
- 1 ½ lbs ground beef
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup milk
- ½ cup onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
Topping
- 2 ½ cups mashed potatoes (prepared)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup cooked spiced sausage, crumbled
- ¼ cup chopped green onions (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish thoroughly to prevent sticking.
- Mix Meatloaf Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Form Meatloaf Layer: Press the seasoned meat mixture evenly into the bottom of the greased baking dish, creating a uniform layer.
- Bake Meatloaf: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes, or until the meatloaf layer is fully cooked through and no longer pink in the center.
- Add Mashed Potatoes: Spread the prepared mashed potatoes evenly over the cooked meatloaf layer, covering the entire surface.
- Top with Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the mashed potatoes layer. Add the cooked spiced sausage crumbles across the top.
- Final Bake: Return the casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the casserole is heated through.
- Add Green Onions: Remove from oven and, if using, sprinkle the chopped green onions over the top to add fresh flavor and color.
- Serve: Slice the casserole into servings and enjoy warm as a comforting main dish.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken to make a leaner version of this casserole.
- Prepare mashed potatoes ahead of time or use leftover mashed potatoes for convenience.
- For added flavor, you can mix some cheese into the meatloaf mixture as well.
- Use gluten-free breadcrumbs to make this dish gluten-free.
- Spiced sausage can be omitted or substituted with cooked bacon or sausage of choice.
