Homestyle Loaded Potato and Meatloaf Casserole Recipe

A hearty meatloaf casserole that combines the irresistible comfort of loaded potato in one incredible dish.

Crispy bacon bits and melted cheese create a mouthwatering layer of deliciousness.

Diving into a meal that brings together two classic favorites with a twist.

Home cooks will adore how simple ingredients become something spectacular.

Each bite promises a perfect blend of savory meat and creamy potato goodness.

Rich flavors mingle in ways that make dinner feel like a celebration.

You won’t be able to resist this crowd-pleasing masterpiece that transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal.

What’s So Good About Loaded Potato And Meatloaf Casserole Recipe

• Satisfy Hearty Hunger: This loaded potato and meatloaf casserole delivers a knockout comfort meal that combines two classic favorites into one delicious dish perfect for filling empty stomachs with rich, savory goodness.
• Maximize Flavor Efficiency: By layering seasoned meatloaf with creamy mashed potatoes and topping everything with melted cheese and crispy bacon, the recipe creates a flavor explosion that makes every single bite intensely satisfying.
• Streamline Weeknight Cooking: With straightforward preparation steps and minimal ingredients, this casserole becomes a quick and easy dinner solution that requires less than an hour from start to finish, making it ideal for busy families seeking delicious home-cooked meals.
• Customize with Ease: The recipe offers flexible opportunities to swap ingredients or add personal touches like different cheese varieties, alternative meat options, or extra seasonings, allowing home cooks to adapt the dish to their unique taste preferences.

Everything That Goes into Loaded Potato And Meatloaf Casserole Recipe

• Ground Beef: The main protein that creates a hearty, flavorful meatloaf base with robust meaty texture.
• Chopped Onion: Adds sweetness and depth to the meat mixture, enhancing overall flavor profile.
• Minced Garlic: Provides a sharp, aromatic kick to the meat layer.

• Breadcrumbs: Helps bind the meat mixture and maintain moisture.
• Eggs: Acts as a crucial binding agent for the meatloaf.
• Milk: Adds tenderness and helps create a softer meat texture.

• Ketchup: Brings sweet and tangy notes to the meat mixture.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Provides rich, umami depth to the dish.
• Mustard: Adds a subtle sharp and tangy flavor.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings for balanced taste.

• Potatoes: Serves as the creamy, comforting topping for the casserole.
• Butter: Adds richness and smooth texture to mashed potatoes.
• Milk: Creates a creamy consistency for the potato layer.

• Cheddar Cheese: Melts beautifully, adding a rich, sharp flavor.
• Bacon: Provides a crispy, salty finish to the casserole.
• Green Onions: Offers a fresh, mild onion garnish.

How to Cook Loaded Potato And Meatloaf Casserole Recipe Right

Step 1: Prepare Potato Base

• Milk
• Butter
• Salt
• Black pepper

Set the creamy potato mixture aside.

Step 2: Create Meatloaf Foundation

• Finely chopped onions
• Minced garlic
• Breadcrumbs
• Milk
• Eggs
• Ketchup
• Worcestershire sauce
• Mustard
• Salt
• Black pepper

Mix everything thoroughly until the ingredients are well incorporated. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and spread the meat mixture evenly across the bottom.

Step 3: Initial Baking

Slide the baking dish into a preheated oven at 375°F. Bake the meatloaf for 20-25 minutes. Look for clear juices and a mostly cooked appearance.

Step 4: Layer Mashed Potatoes

Carefully spread the creamy mashed potatoes over the partially cooked meatloaf. Use a spatula to create an even, smooth layer.

Step 5: Add Cheesy Bacon Topping

Generously sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese across the potato layer. Crumble crispy bacon and scatter it over the cheese.

Step 6: Final Bake

Return the casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes. Watch for the cheese to melt and become beautifully bubbly.

Step 7: Serve And Enjoy

Allow the casserole to rest for a few minutes. Garnish with freshly sliced green onions. Serve piping hot and watch everyone’s eyes light up with excitement!

Helpful Hints for Loaded Potato And Meatloaf Casserole Recipe

• Customize Potato Texture: Adjust mashed potato consistency by adding more milk for creamier results or less for a firmer layer.
• Reduce Fat Content: Use lean ground beef or ground turkey to make the dish lighter and healthier without sacrificing flavor.
• Prep Ahead Strategy: Assemble the casserole in advance and refrigerate, then bake when ready to serve for convenient meal planning.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Experiment with different cheese varieties like sharp cheddar, smoked gouda, or pepper jack to elevate the taste profile.
• Gluten-Free Modification: Replace breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives like crushed rice crackers or almond flour for dietary restrictions.

Storing Loaded Potato And Meatloaf Casserole Recipe with Care

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days to maintain freshness and food safety.
• Freeze: Transfer casserole portions to freezer-safe containers or wrap tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months, preserving the delicious flavors and textures.
• Reheat Oven Method: Preheat oven to 350F. Place refrigerated casserole in a baking dish, cover with foil to prevent drying, and warm for 15-20 minutes until heated through. Remove foil for the last 5 minutes to crisp the top.
• Microwave Option: Reheat individual portions on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating. Add a splash of milk to mashed potatoes to restore creamy texture.

Perfect Sides for Loaded Potato And Meatloaf Casserole Recipe

• Pair with Bold Red Wine: Choose a robust cabernet sauvignon or zinfandel that complements the rich, meaty flavors and cuts through the creamy potato layer with its tannic structure.
• Crisp Salad Companion: Create a light, tangy green salad with mixed greens, cucumber, and a vinaigrette dressing to balance the hearty casserole's richness and provide a fresh contrast.
• Refresh with Craft Beer: Select an amber ale or porter with malty undertones that enhance the savory meatloaf and stand up to the cheesy potato topping, offering a satisfying beer-and-comfort-food experience.
• Cool Side of Pickles: Add a small side of homemade or artisan pickles to introduce a zesty, acidic element that helps cleanse the palate between bites of the dense, flavor-packed casserole.

Ideas to Switch Up Loaded Potato And Meatloaf Casserole Recipe

• Southwestern Spice Blast: Transform the classic recipe by adding jalapeños, southwestern spices, and replacing cheddar with pepper jack cheese for a zesty kick.
• Mediterranean Herb Fusion: Incorporate feta cheese, chopped spinach, and oregano into the meatloaf mixture, topping with crumbled feta and fresh parsley for a Mediterranean-inspired variation.
• Ranch-Style Comfort: Mix ranch seasoning into the meatloaf, use ranch dressing as a drizzle, and sprinkle extra ranch-seasoned crumbled bacon on top for a creamy, tangy version.
• Smoky BBQ Sensation: Swap ketchup with BBQ sauce in the meatloaf, add smoked paprika, use smoked gouda cheese, and top with crispy barbecue-glazed bacon bits for a smoky flavor profile.

Loaded Potato And Meatloaf Casserole Recipe FAQs

• What makes this casserole different from traditional meatloaf?

This casserole combines two comfort food favorites – meatloaf and loaded mashed potatoes – into one delicious dish. The layered approach with cheesy potatoes and crispy bacon creates a more exciting and indulgent meal than standard meatloaf.

• Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Yes, you can substitute ground turkey for ground beef. Just ensure the meat is lean and well-seasoned to maintain the flavor profile. Ground turkey will create a lighter version of the casserole while keeping the same overall texture and taste.

• How do I know when the meatloaf layer is fully cooked?

Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer – it should reach 160F (71C). Also, the meat juices should run clear, and the meat should look firm and no longer pink in the center. This ensures the meat is safely cooked through.

• Is this recipe kid-friendly?

Absolutely! Kids typically love this casserole because it combines familiar flavors like beef, cheese, and potatoes. The cheesy top and bacon bits make it extra appealing to children who can be picky eaters.

Loaded Potato And Meatloaf Casserole Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Comfort meets indulgence in this hearty Loaded Potato and Meatloaf Casserole, blending classic American home cooking with irresistible flavors. Creamy potatoes, savory meatloaf, and melted cheese create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat Layer:

• 1 ½ pounds (680 grams) ground beef
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup (60 grams) breadcrumbs
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) milk
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced

Seasoning and Sauce:

• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) ketchup
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon mustard
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

Potato Layer and Topping:

• 3 cups (about 4 medium) potatoes, peeled and cubed
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) milk
• 4 tablespoons butter
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 ½ cups (150 grams) shredded cheddar cheese
• 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare potatoes by submerging cubed pieces in generously salted water, bringing to a rolling boil until they yield effortlessly when pierced with a fork, approximately 15 minutes. Drain thoroughly and transform into creamy mashed potatoes by incorporating milk, butter, salt, and pepper until smooth and luxurious.
2. Create the hearty meat foundation by gently combining ground beef with finely diced onions, minced garlic, breadcrumbs, milk, eggs, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and seasoning. Mix ingredients until perfectly integrated and uniform.
3. Transfer meat mixture into a well-greased rectangular baking vessel, pressing evenly to create a compact layer. Place in preheated oven and roast until meat develops a robust color and releases clear juices, indicating thorough cooking.
4. Delicately spread the prepared mashed potatoes across the partially cooked meat layer, ensuring a consistent, elegant coverage that conceals the entire surface.
5. Lavishly distribute shredded cheddar cheese over potato landscape, then generously scatter crisp bacon fragments for an indulgent finishing touch.
6. Return casserole to oven, allowing cheese to melt into a golden, bubbling blanket and intensify overall flavor profile. Remove when cheese appears completely molten and slightly golden at edges.
7. Allow casserole to rest momentarily, permitting flavors to settle. Garnish with delicate green onion slices and serve while piping hot, presenting a comforting, layered culinary masterpiece.

Notes

• Opt for lean ground beef to reduce overall fat content and create a lighter version of this hearty dish.
• Mix different types of cheese like sharp cheddar and mild mozzarella for a more complex flavor profile.
• Swap regular bacon with turkey bacon or omit for a healthier alternative that still maintains the dish’s comforting essence.
• Prepare the meatloaf mixture ahead of time and refrigerate for deeper flavor integration and easier weeknight meal preparation.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 487
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 741mg
• Fat: 30g
• Saturated Fat: 15g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12g
• Trans Fat: 1g
• Carbohydrates: 29g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 25g
• Cholesterol: 116mg