Are you ready to create the ultimate comfort food casserole? A dish that combines the rich, savory, and nostalgic goodness of a classic meatloaf with the creamy, buttery perfection of mashed potatoes, all tucked under a glorious, gooey blanket of melted cheese? This incredible Meatloaf and Mashed Potato Casserole is that dream-come-true meal, and it’s guaranteed to become a new family obsession. It’s an entire classic dinner, all in one easy-to-serve dish!
This isn’t just a recipe; it’s a guide to your new favorite weeknight wonder and a show-stopping potluck centerpiece. We’ll show you the simple secrets to a perfectly moist and flavorful meatloaf layer and how to assemble this masterpiece so that it slices beautifully every time. Get ready to experience two of the world’s greatest comfort foods in one incredible, soul-warming bowl.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Recipe Overview: The Ultimate Comfort Food Casserole
What makes this Meatloaf and Mashed Potato Casserole so spectacularly delicious is its incredible, multi-layered flavor and its perfect combination of textures. This dish is a masterpiece of classic American comfort food. The foundation of the casserole is a rich, savory, and perfectly seasoned from-scratch meatloaf. This is topped with a thick, luscious layer of creamy, buttery mashed potatoes, enriched with a touch of tangy sour cream. The entire dish is crowned with a generous blanket of sharp cheddar cheese, then baked until hot, bubbly, and a beautiful golden brown.
| Metric | Time / Level |
| Total Time | 1 hour |
| Active Prep Time | 20 minutes |
| Difficulty Level | Easy |
| Servings | 6-8 |
The Foundation of Flavor: The Essential Ingredients
This iconic dish uses a handful of classic, high-quality ingredients to create its signature comforting and savory flavor.
- The Meatloaf Layer:
- Ground Beef: For the best, most flavorful, and juiciest result, it is highly recommended to use an 85/15 ground beef. This blend has the perfect fat-to-lean ratio to keep the meatloaf moist and flavorful as it bakes.
- The “Panade”: This is the number one, non-negotiable secret to a moist, tender meatloaf! A simple mixture of a starch (like the breadcrumbs in this recipe) and a liquid (like the milk) is called a panade. It works magic by keeping the lean ground beef wonderfully moist and tender and preventing it from becoming tough and dense.
- The Mashed Potato Layer:
- Mashed Potatoes: The ultimate time-saver for a quick weeknight meal is to use pre-made or leftover mashed potatoes. If you’re making them from scratch, a high-starch potato like a Russet or a Yukon Gold will give you the absolute fluffiest, creamiest result.
- Sour Cream & Butter: These are the keys to an extra-rich and flavorful topping! A little bit of tangy sour cream and rich butter will transform your potatoes into a luscious, decadent layer.
- The Cheesy Topping: A generous sprinkle of shredded sharp cheddar cheese is the perfect choice. It has a wonderful, tangy flavor that complements the savory meatloaf, and it melts beautifully into a gooey, irresistible topping.
Step-by-Step to the Best Meatloaf Casserole
This delicious, one-dish meal is incredibly simple to prepare.
Step 1: Make and Par-Bake the Meatloaf Layer
Step 1: First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×9-inch baking dish.
Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the 1 pound of ground beef, the 1/2 cup of plain breadcrumbs, the 1/3 cup of milk, the 1 egg, the 1/4 cup of ketchup, the 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, the 1 teaspoon of onion powder, the 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and the 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper.
Pro Tip: The number one secret to a tender, not tough, meatloaf is to not overmix the meat mixture. Use your clean hands to gently combine the ingredients until they are just evenly distributed.
Step 3: Press the meat mixture evenly into the bottom of your prepared baking dish.
Step 4: Bake the meatloaf layer, uncovered, for 20 to 25 minutes. This crucial “par-baking” step allows the meatloaf to cook through properly and gives you a chance to drain off any excess grease before adding the potato topping.
Part 2: Prepare the Creamy Mashed Potato Topping and Assemble
Step 1: While the meatloaf is baking, prepare your mashed potatoes. In a medium bowl, combine your 3 cups of warm mashed potatoes with the 1/4 cup of sour cream and the 2 tablespoons of butter. Season with salt and pepper to your taste. Step 2: Carefully spread the mashed potato mixture in an even layer over the top of your baked meatloaf layer.
Part 3: Add Cheese and Bake Again
Step 1: Sprinkle your 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the mashed potato layer. Step 2: Bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, until the cheese is completely melted, bubbly, and a beautiful golden brown. Step 3 (The Most Important Step!): Let the finished casserole rest on a cooling rack for at least 5 to 10 minutes before you slice and serve it. This crucial resting period allows the hot, molten layers to set up, which is the absolute secret to getting beautiful, clean slices that aren’t a soupy mess.
Garnish the finished casserole with some fresh, chopped parsley, if you desire, before serving.
Meatloaf and Mashed Potato Casserole
A comforting and hearty casserole that combines two classic comfort foods: meatloaf and mashed potatoes. This dish features a simple, savory meatloaf layer made with ground beef and seasonings, which is pressed into a baking dish and par-baked. The meatloaf is then topped with a creamy layer of mashed potatoes enriched with sour cream and butter, and a final generous layer of shredded cheddar cheese. The entire casserole is baked again until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Ingredients
- For the Meatloaf Layer:
- 1 lb ground beef (85/15)
- 1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- For the Mashed Potato Layer:
- 3 cups prepared mashed potatoes (leftover or store-bought)
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 tbsp butter
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- For the Topping:
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×9-inch baking dish.
- Make the Meatloaf Layer: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, ketchup, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix gently with your hands until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
- Press the meat mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes.
- Prepare the Topping: While the meatloaf is baking, warm the mashed potatoes in a bowl and stir in the sour cream and butter. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Assemble and Bake Again: Carefully remove the baking dish from the oven and spread the mashed potatoes in an even layer over the baked meatloaf.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the potatoes.
- Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 10–15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let the casserole rest for 5–10 minutes before garnishing with fresh parsley, slicing, and serving.
Notes
- This is a great recipe for using up leftover mashed potatoes.
- When making the meatloaf, be careful not to overmix the ingredients, as this can result in a tough texture.
- Letting the finished casserole rest for a few minutes before slicing is a key step that helps the layers to set, making it easier to serve clean slices.
What to Serve With Your Meatloaf Casserole
This beautiful and rich dish is a fantastic, all-in-one meal. To round it out, here are a few simple and classic pairings:
- A Simple Green Vegetable: A side of simple, steamed green beans, sweet peas, or some glazed carrots is the perfect, fresh counterpoint to the rich, savory casserole.
- A Crisp Green Salad: A simple green salad with a bright and zesty vinaigrette is another wonderful and light accompaniment.
- Crusty Bread: A side of warm, crusty bread is always a great choice for sopping up any delicious juices.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
This Meatloaf and Mashed Potato Casserole is the ultimate make-ahead and freezer-friendly meal.
- Make-Ahead: You can fully assemble the entire, unbaked casserole up to 24 hours in advance. Simply cover it tightly with foil and store it in the refrigerator. When you are ready to bake, you may need to add 10-15 minutes to the total baking time since it will be starting from cold.
- Storage: Store any leftovers, well-covered, in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: This casserole freezes beautifully! You can freeze it either before or after baking. Let it cool completely, then wrap the pan very well in a double layer of plastic wrap and then a layer of foil. It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.
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Creative Recipe Variations
- Add a Classic Meatloaf Glaze: For that classic, sweet and tangy meatloaf flavor, you can whisk together 1/4 cup of ketchup, 1 tablespoon of brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and spread it over the top of your meatloaf layer before you add the mashed potatoes.
- Use a Different Ground Meat: If you’re not a fan of ground beef, this delicious and versatile recipe is also absolutely fantastic with an equal amount of lean ground turkey or ground chicken. A classic meatloaf blend of ground beef, pork, and veal would also be incredibly rich and delicious.
- Add Some “Hidden” Veggies: For an extra boost of nutrition, you can finely grate about 1/2 cup of zucchini or carrots and gently mix them into your raw meatloaf mixture before you bake it.
Enjoy The Ultimate Comfort Food Casserole!
You’ve just created a truly special dish that is a perfect harmony of wholesome, classic ingredients and delicious, satisfying flavors. This classic Meatloaf and Mashed Potato Casserole is a testament to the power of a simple, from-scratch-tasting meal to bring the whole family together. It’s a rewarding and deeply satisfying recipe that is sure to become a new, much-requested family favorite for cozy dinners.
We hope you enjoy every last, perfect, cheesy, and delicious bite!
If you enjoyed making this recipe, please leave a comment below or share it with a friend who loves an easy and impressive meal!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is the absolute, number one secret to a moist and tender, not dry and tough, meatloaf?
The secret is a “panade,” which is a simple mixture of a starch (like the breadcrumbs in this recipe) and a liquid (like the milk). When you mix this paste into your ground meat, it helps to keep the meatloaf incredibly moist and tender as it cooks. The second secret is to not overmix the meat!
Q2: Can I make this casserole ahead of time for a party?
Yes, this is a perfect make-ahead meal! You can fully assemble the entire unbaked casserole, cover it tightly, and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When your party starts, you can simply pop it in the oven to bake (you may need to add 10-15 minutes to the baking time, as it will be starting from cold).
Q3: Can I freeze this meatloaf casserole?
Yes, this is a fantastic freezer meal! You can freeze it either baked or unbaked. Let the casserole cool completely, then wrap the dish very well in a double layer of plastic wrap and then a layer of foil. It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then bake (or reheat) it.
Q4: What are the best kind of potatoes to use for the mashed potato topping?
For the absolute fluffiest, creamiest mashed potatoes, a high-starch potato like a Russet potato is a fantastic choice. A more buttery and naturally creamy Yukon Gold potato is also a wonderful option.
Q5: What is the best way to get beautiful, clean slices of the casserole?
The secret is to let the finished casserole rest for at least 10 minutes after it comes out of the oven. This crucial resting period allows the hot, molten layers of meat, potatoes, and cheese to set up, which is the key that will allow you to get beautiful, clean, and impressive slices that don’t fall apart.