Loaded Potato And Meatloaf Casserole Recipe
Imagine gathering your family around a steaming casserole that combines two comfort food classics into one irresistible dish. You'll want to master the loaded potato and meatloaf casserole, a hearty meal that transforms simple ingredients into a crowd-pleasing dinner sensation. Its layered complexity promises rich flavors and satisfying textures that'll have everyone asking for seconds. Are you ready to learn how to create a meal that bridges nostalgia with modern home cooking?
Recipe Highlights
- A loaded potato and meatloaf casserole combines ground beef, mashed potatoes, and shredded cheese into a hearty one-dish meal perfect for family dinners.
- The recipe requires basic ingredients like ground beef, potatoes, onion soup mix, milk, and cheese, which are layered and baked at 350°F.
- Preparation involves mixing ground beef with onion soup mix, baking the meatloaf first, then topping with mashed potatoes and cheese before final baking.
- Total cooking time is approximately 45-50 minutes, with the meatloaf baking for 30 minutes and the cheese topping baking for 15-20 minutes.
- Optional customizations include adding chopped bacon, green onions, or extra seasonings to enhance the flavor of this classic comfort food casserole.
History
While comfort food combinations have existed for generations, the loaded potato and meatloaf casserole represents a relatively modern culinary innovation that emerged in mid-20th century American home cooking.
You'll find its roots in post-World War II era kitchens, where resourceful home cooks began blending traditional protein dishes with hearty potato preparations. The casserole's development coincided with:
- Increased availability of processed ingredients
- Growing popularity of one-dish meal concepts
- Expansion of suburban home cooking techniques
Midwestern and Northeastern regions particularly embraced this dish, transforming humble ingredients into a satisfying family meal.
You can trace its evolution through community cookbooks and family recipe collections, which showcase how home cooks creatively combined affordable, accessible ingredients to create comforting, economic dishes that could feed large families efficiently.
Recipe
Craving a comforting and hearty meal that combines the best of meatloaf and loaded potatoes? This casserole is the ultimate family-friendly dinner that brings together tender ground beef and creamy mashed potatoes in one delicious dish.
The combination of savory meat, rich cheese, and smooth potatoes creates a satisfying meal that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Perfect for busy weeknights or weekend family gatherings, this recipe simplifies traditional comfort food into an easy-to-prepare casserole. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a filling and flavorful meal that requires minimal preparation and delivers maximum satisfaction.
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 4 large potatoes, peeled and quartered
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 packet onion soup mix
- 1 cup milk
Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, mix ground beef with onion soup mix until well combined. Press the meat mixture evenly into a 9×13 baking dish, creating a uniform layer.
Bake for 30 minutes, allowing the meatloaf to cook through and develop a rich flavor.
While the meatloaf is baking, boil the quartered potatoes in salted water until tender. Drain the potatoes and mash them with milk until smooth and creamy.
Once the meatloaf is done, remove it from the oven and spread the mashed potatoes evenly over the top. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the potatoes, then return the casserole to the oven for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden brown.
For best results, let the casserole rest for 10 minutes after removing it from the oven. This allows the layers to set and makes serving easier.
If the mashed potatoes seem too thick, add a splash more milk to achieve a spreadable consistency. You can also customize this dish by adding chopped bacon, green onions, or additional seasonings to suit your taste preferences.
Cooking Steps
You'll start by thoroughly mixing the ground beef with the onion soup mix, ensuring even distribution of flavors before pressing the meat into your 9×13 baking dish.
Next, bake the meatloaf until it's firm and slightly pulling away from the pan's edges, which typically takes about 30 minutes at 350°F.
Once the meatloaf is cooked, you'll spread your creamy mashed potatoes in an even layer across the top, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese generously, and return the casserole to the oven until the cheese melts into a golden, bubbly crust.
Step 1. Mix Ground Beef Thoroughly
Gently break apart the ground beef in a large mixing bowl, ensuring no dense clumps remain.
You'll want to create a uniform texture that'll help your meatloaf cook evenly and absorb flavors consistently. Sprinkle the onion soup mix directly over the meat, using your hands to mix thoroughly but carefully—don't overwork the beef, which can make it tough.
Use your fingertips to distribute the seasoning, creating small, even pockets throughout the meat mixture. Press the seasoned ground beef into your 9×13 baking dish, smoothing the top with gentle, even pressure.
Your goal is a compact, well-distributed layer that'll provide a solid foundation for the creamy mashed potato topping. Take your time to ensure an even, consistent base for this comforting casserole.
Step 2. Spread Beef in Pan
After mixing the ground beef with onion soup mix, you'll want to create a uniform layer that fills your 9×13 baking dish. Press the meat mixture firmly and evenly across the bottom, using your hands or a spatula to ensure consistent thickness.
Key techniques include:
- Spread meat to edges of dish
- Pat down gently to remove air pockets
- Aim for a smooth, compact surface
Work carefully to maintain an even 1/2-inch layer, preventing thicker sections that won't cook uniformly. The meat should look compact and well-distributed, without gaps or uneven ridges.
Use gentle, consistent pressure to shape the meat, creating a solid foundation for your loaded potato topping. This careful preparation ensures each bite will have balanced flavors and perfect texture.
Step 3. Bake Meatloaf Until Firm
Place the prepared meatloaf into the preheated 350°F oven, and set a timer for 30 minutes to transform the raw ground beef mixture into a firm, flavorful foundation for your casserole.
Watch the meatloaf carefully during baking, checking for key doneness indicators:
- Center should feel firm when pressed
- No pink meat remains
- Internal temperature reaches 160°F
- Edges begin to slightly pull away from baking dish
You'll want to ensure even cooking by rotating the pan halfway through the baking time. This helps distribute heat uniformly and prevents potential hot spots that could cause uneven cooking.
As the meatloaf bakes, it'll release delicious juices and develop a rich, caramelized exterior that promises deep, satisfying flavor. The onion soup mix will infuse the meat with savory aromatics, creating a robust base for your upcoming potato topping.
Step 4. Spread Mashed Potatoes Evenly
Because your perfectly baked meatloaf needs a smooth potato topping, you'll want to spread the mashed potatoes with precision and care.
Use a large offset spatula or the back of a spoon to create an even layer, working from the edges toward the center of the baking dish. Aim for a consistent thickness of about 1/2 inch, ensuring complete coverage of the meatloaf base. Gently press and smooth the potatoes to eliminate any air pockets or uneven spots.
If the potatoes are too stiff, fold in a bit more warm milk to improve spreadability. Take your time and use gentle, sweeping motions to create a uniform surface that'll crisp beautifully when topped with melted cheese and returned to the oven.
Step 5. Sprinkle Cheese, Bake Golden
Once your mashed potatoes are smoothly spread across the meatloaf, you're ready to transform this comfort food classic into a golden, cheesy masterpiece.
Generously sprinkle the 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese across the potato surface, ensuring even coverage from edge to edge. The cheese will create a tantalizing, melted blanket that turns a rich golden brown during baking.
Return the casserole to the 350°F oven, positioning the rack in the center for consistent heating.
Bake for 15-20 minutes, watching for these key visual cues:
- Cheese becomes fully melted
- Edges start to bubble slightly
- Surface develops a golden, slightly crispy texture
Remove when the cheese looks irresistibly golden and bubbling.
Final Thoughts
If you're looking to elevate your weeknight dinner game, this loaded potato and meatloaf casserole is a game-changer that'll satisfy even the pickiest eaters. The combination of tender beef, creamy potatoes, and melted cheese creates a comforting meal that's both simple to prepare and impressive to serve. You'll love how quickly it comes together, with minimal prep and straightforward cooking techniques. Pro tip: let the casserole rest after baking to help the layers set and flavors meld. Whether you're feeding a hungry family or looking for a reliable potluck dish, this recipe offers maximum flavor with minimal effort. It's the kind of home-cooked meal that brings everyone to the table, eager to dig in and enjoy every savory bite.
