Description
Hearty Loaded Potato Meatloaf Casseroles blend classic comfort with irresistible flavors that promise pure satisfaction. Crispy potato topping and melted cheese create a mouthwatering experience you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Ingredients:
- 1.5 pounds lean ground beef or turkey
- 6 slices thick bacon, cooked and crumbled
Potato and Cheese Ingredients:
- 2 pounds potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup cottage cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup warm milk or half-and-half
Seasoning and Binding Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup finely chopped white onion
- 1 cup seasoned bread crumbs
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and thoroughly coat a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, blend ground meat with finely chopped onion, minced garlic, breadcrumbs, Worcestershire sauce, egg, cottage cheese, and BBQ sauce until well incorporated.
- Distribute the meat mixture uniformly across the prepared baking dish, creating an even layer.
- Place the dish in the preheated oven and roast for 30 minutes until the meat begins to set.
- During the meatloaf’s cooking time, submerge diced potatoes in boiling water and cook for approximately 15 minutes until fork-tender.
- Drain the potatoes completely and return them to the pot, then mash with butter until smooth and creamy.
- Incorporate sour cream, milk, salt, and pepper into the mashed potatoes, stirring until well blended.
- Remove the partially cooked meatloaf from the oven and carefully drain any accumulated grease.
- Spread the creamy mashed potatoes in an even layer across the surface of the meatloaf.
- Generously sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon over the potato layer.
- Return the casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes, ensuring the cheese melts and becomes golden and bubbly.
- Allow the casserole to rest for 5-7 minutes before serving to help it set and make cutting easier.
Notes
- Choose lean ground beef or a mix of beef and pork for better flavor and texture.
- Use starchy potatoes like Russet for the fluffiest, creamiest mashed potato topping.
- Swap breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives like crushed gluten-free crackers or almond flour to make the dish celiac-friendly.
- Replace regular bacon with turkey bacon, use low-fat cheese, and incorporate Greek yogurt instead of sour cream to reduce overall calorie content.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 512 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0.4 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg