Quick & Hearty Loaded Potato and Meatloaf Casserole Recipe

Loaded potato and meatloaf casserole brings comfort food to a whole new level of deliciousness.

Hearty ingredients merge in a symphony of flavors that’ll warm your heart and satisfy deep hunger pangs.

This recipe reinvents ordinary meal components into an extraordinary dining experience.

Crispy potato edges, rich meat layers, and melted cheese create a mouthwatering combination that feels like a culinary hug.

Families adore this dish for its versatility and crowd-pleasing potential.

Home cooks appreciate how simple ingredients can produce such a memorable meal.

Prepare to elevate your dinner game with this irresistible comfort classic.

Why You’ll Love Loaded Potato and Meatloaf Casserole

• Create a Flavor-Packed Comfort Meal: This recipe combines the hearty goodness of meatloaf with creamy mashed potatoes and crispy bacon, delivering a perfect balance of savory flavors that comfort and satisfy.
• Simplify Weeknight Cooking: With straightforward ingredients and easy preparation steps, this casserole becomes a stress-free dinner solution that requires minimal cooking skills and delivers maximum taste.
• Customize Your Protein: Flexible recipe allows you to swap ground beef with ground turkey, making it adaptable for different dietary preferences and keeping mealtime exciting and personalized.
• One-Pan Wonder: By layering ingredients in a single baking dish, this recipe minimizes cleanup time and creates a complete meal with protein, potatoes, and toppings all baked together for maximum convenience.

What You Need for Loaded Potato and Meatloaf Casserole

• Ground Beef or Turkey: Lean protein base with rich flavor, ideal for a hearty main dish.
• Onion: Adds depth and sweetness to the meat mixture.
• Garlic: Provides aromatic and robust flavor enhancement.

• Bread Crumbs: Helps bind the meat mixture and maintain moisture.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Gives tangy and umami depth to the meat mixture.
• Egg: Acts as a natural binder to hold the meatloaf together.
• Cottage Cheese: Adds moisture and extra protein to the meat mixture.
• BBQ Sauce: Provides sweet and smoky flavor profile.

• Potatoes: Starchy base for creamy mashed potato layer.
• Butter: Adds richness and smooth texture to mashed potatoes.
• Sour Cream: Creates creamy and tangy mashed potato layer.
• Milk: Helps achieve smooth mashed potato consistency.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings for balanced flavor.
• Cheddar Cheese: Melts beautifully and adds sharp, rich flavor.
• Bacon: Provides crispy texture and smoky, salty taste.

Directions for Loaded Potato and Meatloaf Casserole

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Oven

Heat the oven to 375°F. Spray a 9×13 inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.

Step 2: Create Meatloaf Mixture

• Ground beef or turkey
• Chopped onion
• Minced garlic
• Bread crumbs
• Worcestershire sauce
• Egg
• Cottage cheese
• BBQ sauce

Spread the mixture evenly in the prepared baking pan. Bake for 30 minutes.

Step 3: Prepare Creamy Mashed Potatoes

• Butter
• Sour cream
• Milk
• Salt
• Pepper

Mix until smooth and creamy.

Step 4: Layer and Finish Casserole

• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Crumbled bacon

Return to the oven for 15 more minutes or until potatoes are heated and cheese melts completely.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Remove from oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving. Slice and serve hot.

Tips to Get Your Potato and Meatloaf Just Right

• Meat Mixing Mastery: Gently combine ingredients to prevent tough, dense meatloaf by using a light touch and avoiding overmixing.
• Potato Perfection: Let potatoes cool slightly before mashing to prevent watery texture and ensure a creamy, smooth consistency.
• Bacon Brilliance: Crisp the bacon beforehand for maximum crunch and flavor, enhancing the overall texture of the casserole.
• Grease Management: Carefully drain excess fat after initial baking to keep the dish from becoming greasy and heavy.
• Cheese Melting Magic: Shred cheese fresh for optimal melting and allow it to create a golden, bubbly topping that adds irresistible appeal.

How to Save and Reheat This Casserole

• Refrigeration: Store leftover casserole in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cool completely before storing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Freezing: Wrap the casserole securely in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Label the container with the date to track freshness. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheating: Warm individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring midway. For larger servings, use the oven at 350°F, covered with foil, for 15-20 minutes until heated through. Check the internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety.

Perfect Pairings for This Comforting Casserole

• Pair with Bold Red Wine: A robust Cabernet Sauvignon or Zinfandel complements the rich, meaty flavors of the casserole, cutting through the creamy potatoes and enhancing the savory notes.
• Crisp Green Salad Companion: Toss a light, tangy arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the hearty dish, adding freshness and cutting through the richness of the meatloaf and cheese.
• Roasted Vegetable Side: Prepare honey-glazed roasted carrots or Brussels sprouts to add a slightly sweet, caramelized element that contrasts with the savory casserole and provides additional nutritional balance.
• Craft Beer Match: Select an amber ale or porter with malty undertones that will harmonize with the BBQ sauce and beef, creating a comforting and satisfying meal experience.

Fun Versions of Loaded Potato and Meatloaf Casserole

• Spicy Southwest Meatloaf Casserole: Replace BBQ sauce with salsa, add diced green chilies to the meat mixture, and top mashed potatoes with pepper jack cheese and jalapeños for a zesty kick.
• Mediterranean Lamb Fusion: Swap ground beef for ground lamb, mix in mint, oregano, and feta cheese. Top with roasted garlic mashed potatoes and sprinkle with crumbled feta and chopped parsley.
• Vegetarian Lentil Comfort Bake: Substitute meat with cooked lentils and mushrooms, use vegetable broth for binding. Layer with roasted garlic mashed potatoes and top with plant-based cheese and crispy veggie bacon bits.
• Creamy Ranch Meatloaf Casserole: Incorporate ranch seasoning into the meat mixture, blend ranch dressing into mashed potatoes, and garnish with chives and extra crispy bacon crumbles for added flavor.

Loaded Potato And Meatloaf Casserole Recipe

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4.7 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Comfort meets indulgence in this hearty Loaded Potato and Meatloaf Casserole, combining creamy mashed potatoes with savory ground beef. Crispy bacon, melted cheese, and green onions crown this irresistible dish that promises to satisfy souls craving classic American comfort cuisine.

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Ingredients

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Meat:

• 1.5 pounds lean ground beef or turkey
• 6 slices thick bacon, cooked and crumbled

Potato and Dairy Components:

• 2 pounds potatoes, peeled and diced
• 0.5 cup unsalted butter
• 0.5 cup sour cream
• 0.5 cup warm milk or half-and-half
• 0.33 cup cottage cheese
• 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Seasonings and Binding Ingredients:

• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 0.5 cup finely chopped white onion
• 1 cup seasoned bread crumbs
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 0.5 cup BBQ sauce
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and coat a 9×13 inch (23×33 centimeter) baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Combine ground beef or ground turkey, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, breadcrumbs, Worcestershire sauce, beaten egg, cottage cheese, and barbecue sauce in a large mixing bowl until thoroughly incorporated.
3. Transfer the meat mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly to create a uniform layer.
4. Bake the meatloaf for 30 minutes in the preheated oven.
5. Meanwhile, place diced potatoes in a pot of salted water and boil until fork-tender, approximately 12-15 minutes.
6. Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot, mashing with unsalted butter, sour cream, whole milk, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper until creamy and smooth.
7. Remove the meatloaf from the oven and carefully drain any accumulated grease from the baking dish.
8. Spread the mashed potatoes in an even layer over the partially cooked meatloaf.
9. Generously sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon across the potato surface.
10. Return the casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and slightly golden.

Notes

• A hearty, comfort food casserole that combines classic meatloaf with loaded mashed potatoes for a satisfying one-dish meal.
• Choosing ground beef or turkey allows flexibility based on personal preference or dietary needs.
• Mixing cottage cheese into the meat mixture adds unexpected moisture and helps prevent the meatloaf from becoming dry.
• Draining excess grease after the initial baking ensures a lighter, less greasy final dish.
• Topping the casserole with crispy bacon and melted cheddar cheese creates an irresistible flavor combination that elevates the entire recipe.
• Perfect for family dinners or potlucks, this dish can be prepared ahead and reheated, making meal planning easier.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 520 kcal
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 680 mg
• Fat: 32 g
• Saturated Fat: 16 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Cholesterol: 145 mg