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5 from 3 votes

Meatloaf Casserole

This Meatloaf Casserole is a family favorite all throughout the year. With just 15 minutes of prep time, you can have dinner for a crowd on the table in an hour. Perfect to entertain or make ahead on a busy week, it's a comforting dinner that is guaranteed to be a success.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Total Time1 hour
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: beef
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 430kcal
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Ingredients
 

Meatloaf Layer

  • 1 ¾-2 pounds ground beef
  • ½ cup crushed crackers
  • ½ cup finely diced onion
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ cup milk
  • ¼ cup ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon seasoning salt blend or salt and black pepper

Mashed Potato Layer

  • 4 cups store-bought or homemade mashed potatoes see note
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Topping

  • ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • ¼ cup crushed crackers
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, cracker crumbs, onion, garlic powder, egg, milk, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and seasoning salt blend. Mix just until everything is well incorporated. Don't overmix.
  • Press the meat mixture evenly into 13"x9" baking dish.
  • Bake the meatloaf layer for 25-30 minutes, or until the meat is nearly cooked cooked through. It will finish during the final bake time.
  • While the meatloaf is baking, prepare the mashed potatoes. If using store-bought, heat according to package instructions then stir in cheddar cheese. If making homemade, follow the Whipped Mashed Potatoes or Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes recipes linked and once mashed, stir in cheddar cheese.
  • Once the meatloaf layer is cooked, remove it from the oven. Carefully pour off excess grease into a bowl. Spread the prepared mashed potatoes evenly over the top of the meatloaf.
  • Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the mashed potatoes.
  • Mix cracker crumbs with melted butter, and sprinkle on top.
  • Return the casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the topping is golden brown. Cool 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Video

Notes

Tips: 
    • Don't over-mix your meatloaf mixture. This is so important, if you over-mix the ingredients the meatloaf can be chewy. Gently mix everything together then bake.
    • Use lean ground beef for your meatloaf. This ensures that not too much fat will soak up in the pan. 90/10 ground beef is perfect.
    • Be sure to cook the beef mixture first before layering on the potatoes. This is required for the recipe to work to make sure the meatloaf is cooked correctly.
    • Store-bought or homemade mashed potatoes are great! Make it easy on yourself with store-bought, or use my homemade recipe.
Storage: 
Refrigerate any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven for a few minutes or until warmed through.
You can also freeze the leftovers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or at room temperature on the counter for a couple of hours. Then microwave or pop into the oven until warmed through for a few minutes.
This casserole is also perfect to make ahead for a party or busy weeknight. Just bake the meatloaf layer first, let it cool, then add the mashed potatoes and cheese on top and pop into the fridge. Bake in the oven right before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 430kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 18g
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