Cheesy Loaded Meatloaf Casserole Recipe: A Comforting Family Favorite

Crafting a delightful cheesy loaded meatloaf casserole brings comfort to your dinner table like nothing else.

Layers of savory meat blend perfectly with melted cheese and crispy edges.

Hearty ingredients promise a satisfying meal that feels like a warm hug.

Families adore this classic dish for its rich flavors and simple preparation.

Crisp vegetables and robust seasonings create a symphony of taste in every bite.

Weeknight dinners become extraordinary with this mouthwatering recipe that transforms ordinary ingredients into something spectacular.

Why Cheesy Loaded Meatloaf Casserole Is So Delicious

• Comfort Food Champion: This meatloaf casserole delivers ultimate comfort with its hearty blend of ground meats, creamy mashed potatoes, and melted cheese that hugs your taste buds.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dinner Hero: Perfect for family meals, this one-dish wonder combines protein-packed meat, crispy bacon, and cheesy goodness that satisfies everyone from kids to adults.
• Quick and Simple Preparation: Minimal ingredients and straightforward steps make this recipe accessible for home cooks of all skill levels, ensuring a delicious meal without complicated techniques.
• Customizable Crowd-Pleaser: Easily adaptable with potential ingredient swaps or additions, this casserole allows creative cooks to personalize the dish while maintaining its core deliciousness.

Ingredients for Cheesy Loaded Meatloaf Casserole

• Ground Beef: A flavorful and protein-rich foundation for the casserole.
• Ground Pork: Adds richness and extra depth to the meat mixture.

• Breadcrumbs, Milk, Egg: Help hold the meat mixture together and create a tender texture.
• Worcestershire Sauce, Salt, Black Pepper, Garlic Powder: Provide seasoning and enhance the overall flavor profile.

• Mashed Potatoes: Creamy layer that adds comfort and substance to the casserole.
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Melts to create a gooey, golden topping.
• Crumbled Bacon: Adds a crispy, smoky element to the dish.
• Green Onions: Fresh garnish that brings a pop of color and mild onion flavor.

How to Prepare Cheesy Loaded Meatloaf Casserole

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Fire up your oven to a toasty 350°F (175°C) and get ready for a flavor explosion.

Step 2: Create the Meaty Base

• Ground beef
• Ground pork
• Diced onion
• Breadcrumbs
• Milk
• Egg
• Worcestershire sauce
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder

Blend everything together until the mixture is perfectly integrated and looks irresistibly delicious.

Step 3: Shape the Meat Layer

Transfer the meat mixture into a generously greased baking dish.

Press and smooth the mixture to create an even, compact layer that will serve as the foundation of your casserole.

Step 4: Add the Creamy Potato Topping

Spread a luxurious blanket of mashed potatoes evenly across the meat layer, creating a smooth and inviting surface.

Step 5: Unleash the Cheesy Bacon Goodness

Sprinkle a generous amount of shredded cheddar cheese over the mashed potato layer.

Then, liberally scatter crumbled bacon pieces for an extra punch of flavor and crunch.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Slide the casserole into the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes.

Watch for the cheese to become bubbly and develop a gorgeous golden color.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

Finish your masterpiece by sprinkling freshly chopped green onions on top.

Serve hot and watch as everyone devours this comforting, flavor-packed dish.

Pro Tips for Cheesy Loaded Meatloaf Casserole

• Choose a mix of ground beef and pork with 80/20 fat content for juicier, more flavorful meatloaf that won't dry out during baking.
• Drain excess fat from cooked bacon and pat meat mixture dry to ensure crispy texture and prevent a watery casserole base.
• Use room temperature mashed potatoes for even spreading and better adherence to the meat layer, creating a seamless casserole.
• Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes after baking to allow cheese to set and make cutting easier.
• Add a dash of smoked paprika or dried herbs like thyme to the meat mixture for extra depth and complexity.

Variations on Cheesy Loaded Meatloaf Casserole

• Vegetarian Veggie Loaf: Replace ground meats with lentils, black beans, or plant-based meat alternatives, using nutritional yeast for cheese flavor and adding extra vegetables like bell peppers and mushrooms.
• Gluten-Free Comfort Casserole: Swap breadcrumbs with gluten-free panko or almond flour, use gluten-free Worcestershire sauce, and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Lean Protein Option: Substitute ground beef and pork with ground turkey or chicken breast, reducing fat content while maintaining rich flavor profile and keeping the cheesy potato topping.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Swap: Replace mashed potatoes with mashed cauliflower, use lean ground meat, and top with reduced-fat cheese for a keto-friendly version of the classic casserole.

Serving Ideas for Cheesy Loaded Meatloaf Casserole

• Cozy Family Dinner Companion: Pair this hearty meatloaf casserole with a crisp green salad for a balanced meal that adds freshness and lightness.
• Comfort Side Kick: Roasted seasonal vegetables like carrots, Brussels sprouts, or asparagus complement the rich, cheesy flavors and add nutritional variety.
• Weekend Gathering Star: Serve with warm crusty bread or dinner rolls to soak up the delicious meat juices and melted cheese, making it perfect for casual family gatherings.
• Leftover Magic: Transform remaining casserole into next-day sandwiches by slicing and placing between toasted bread with extra cheese and a touch of mustard.

How to Store Cheesy Loaded Meatloaf Casserole

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Place in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag. Freeze for up to 2-3 months.
• Place individual portions on a microwave-safe plate. Cover with a damp paper towel. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even warming.
• Preheat oven to 350F. Cover the casserole with foil to prevent drying. Warm for 15-20 minutes until heated through, removing foil for the last 5 minutes to crisp the cheese.

FAQs

• Can I use different types of ground meat?

Yes, you can substitute ground beef and pork with ground turkey, chicken, or a mix of meats to suit your preference while maintaining similar protein content.

• Is this recipe gluten-free?

Not automatically. To make it gluten-free, replace regular breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed gluten-free crackers.

• How can I make this recipe healthier?

Choose lean ground meat, use low-fat milk, reduce cheese quantity, and add more vegetables like grated carrots or zucchini to the meat mixture.

• Can I prepare this casserole in advance?

Yes, you can assemble the entire dish ahead of time and refrigerate. Just add 10-15 minutes to the baking time when cooking directly from the refrigerator.

Cheesy Loaded Meatloaf Casserole Recipe

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4.8 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Hearty Cheesy Loaded Meatloaf Casserole brings comfort and flavor to dinner tables with its rich, melted cheese and savory ground beef. Comfort meets indulgence in this classic dish that promises to satisfy hungry families and deliver a memorable meal everyone will crave.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
• 0.5 pound (227 grams) ground pork

Binding and Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 large egg
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) breadcrumbs
• 0.5 cup (120 milliliters) milk
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper

Topping and Garnish:

• 2 cups (480 grams) mashed potatoes
• 1 cup (113 grams) shredded cheddar cheese
• 0.5 cup (57 grams) cooked and crumbled bacon
• 0.25 cup (30 grams) chopped green onions

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Instructions

1. Thoroughly blend ground beef, pork, onion, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, Worcestershire sauce, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder in a spacious mixing container.
2. Transfer the meat mixture into a greased baking dish, pressing firmly to create an even layer across the bottom.
3. Carefully spread a uniform layer of creamy mashed potatoes over the meat base, ensuring complete coverage.
4. Generously distribute shredded cheddar cheese and crispy crumbled bacon across the potato surface.
5. Position the assembled casserole in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 30-35 minutes, monitoring until the cheese melts into a golden, bubbling crust.
6. Remove from oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes to set the layers.
7. Garnish with freshly chopped green onions for a vibrant, zesty finish before serving.

Notes

• Let ground meat reach room temperature before mixing to ensure even cooking and better flavor blending.
• Choose lean ground beef and pork for a healthier version while maintaining rich taste.
• Swap breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Add extra herbs like thyme or rosemary to boost the meat’s aromatic profile and create deeper flavor complexity.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 545 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 860 mg
• Fat: 38 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 21 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Cholesterol: 140 mg