Loaded Mashed Potato Meatloaf Casserole is an easy kid-friendly casserole with meatloaf base, loaded mashed potatoes, bacon and cheese baked until crispy.
When it comes to homestyle meals, you can’t go wrong with classic Meatloaf topped with Loaded Mashed Potatoes. This casserole turns a classic comfort food into a quick and easy Dinner Recipe the kids will love!
LOADED MASHED POTATO MEATLOAF CASSEROLE
Casseroles are a weeknight meals many families love to make. They are easy, the kids love them, and clean up is a breeze, since they rarely need more than a few dishes. This Loaded Mashed Potato Meatloaf Casserole is no exception and comes together with in an hour without destroying your kitchen.
This Meatloaf Casserole is like a “Cowboy Shepherd’s Pie”. Fluffy mashed potatoes that have been loaded with cheese, bacon topping a classic meatloaf recipe, all the flavors kids love! Plus calling it a Cowboy Meatloaf Casserole gets kids to gobble it down.
Here’s the filling with it’s classic meatloaf base:
Many recipes for Loaded Potato Casserole call for instant mashed potatoes, but I like to use my Easy Mashed Potatoes. They are so quick to make, they will be done by the time the meatloaf layer is done cooking. If you still want to use instant mashed potatoes, I’ve included a quick recipe below to give them lots of flavor.
This is a great one pan meal (after it has been prepped) that travels well so you can take it for potlucks, or make ahead of time for an easy meal for the babysitter to pop in the oven. We like to serve it with Dinner Rolls and a side of Green Beans for well-rounded meal during the week.
Can you make this ahead of time?
Follow the recipe as usual but do not broil. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and foil before storing in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To serve, remove plastic wrap and cover again with foil. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes or until warm. Switch to broil for 3 to 5 minutes to brown cheese.
MORE DELICIOUS CASSEROLE RECIPES
Tater Tot Casserole
Easy Chicken Casserole
Broccoli Casserole
Doritos Chicken Casserole
Can you make Loaded Potato Meatloaf Casserole in a Slow Cooker?
Start by baking meatloaf layer as usual, or cook ingredients (except for egg) in a skillet like a Sloppy Joes. Transfer cooked meat to the slow cooker. Mix 1/2 bacon and fried onions with mashed potatoes. Spread potatoes over meat, then cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours. Sprinkle remaining bacon and onions on top, then cheese. Cover and cook 5-10 minutes until cheese is melted.
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VARIATIONS ON LOADED POTATO MEATLOAF CASSEROLE
- Ground Meat: Substitute ground turkey, chicken, pork, or even lamb for for a different flavor. Using ground lamb would make this a simple, delicious Easter Dinner.
- Veggies: Add a layer of cooked frozen veggies like corn or peas and carrots, over the meatloaf layer. Or add a layer of sautéed mushrooms, onions, or bell peppers.
- Southwestern: Season your ground beef with Taco Seasoning. Stir in a can of drained green chiles either into your meat or your mashed potatoes and top with Monterey Jack cheese. Serve with sour cream and Salsa.
- Potatoes: Instead of Idaho potatoes, try using Mashed Sweet Potatoes or mashing other favorites like Yukon Gold or Red Skin potatoes.
- Low Carb: Make a Keto Loaded Potato Meatloaf Casserole with a quick and easy mashed cauliflower. Microwave 1 large bag of frozen cauliflower in a large bowl until hot. Add 8 ounces softened cream cheese and blend until mashed potato consistency.
MORE FUN FAMILY FAVORITE RECIPES
Big Mac Sloppy Joes (w/ Secret Sauce!)
Super Crispy Chicken Tenders
Ground Philly Cheesesteak Grilled Cheese
Cheesy Taco Pasta
HOW TO STORE LOADED POTATO MEATLOAF CASSEROLE
- Serve: This casserole will stay good at room temperature for up to 2 hours.
- Store: Wrap tightly or transfer to an airtight container before storing for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
- Freeze: Cool the casserole completely before freezing in a sealed container. Allow to thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Loaded Potato Meatloaf Casserole
Loaded Mashed Potato Meatloaf Casserole is an easy, kid-friendly casserole with a meatloaf base topped with a loaded mashed potatoes with bacon and cheese baked until crispy.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds Ground Beef , (85/15)
- 1/4 yellow onion , finely chopped
- 2/3 cup seasoned dry breadcrumbs
- 1/3 cup whole milk
- 1 large egg , lightly beaten
- 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
- 2 pounds potatoes , peeled and cut into 1" chunks
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup bacon bits , cooked and crumbled
- 1 cup cheddar cheese , shredded
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
In a large bowl, gently combine beef, onion, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, salt and pepper then press into a 9x9 baking dish.
Bake uncovered for 15 minutes, then remove and drain any excess fat.
While the meatloaf is cooking add potatoes with just enough water to cover to a pot and bring to a boil on high heat. Cook for 15 minutes.
Drain the water and add the milk, butter, salt and pepper mashing it all together until creamy.
Spread over the meatloaf and top with cheese and bacon.
Bake for and additional 15 minutes, until bacon is sizzling and cheese is bubbling and the mashed potatoes are slightly crispy.
I’ve never baked meatloaf for only 30 min., will this cook completely?
Ovens may vary so make sure to check for doneness but the timing worked for me. Enjoy!
Mak’in right now. Looks great. Wife loves me be’in retired
I am confused on the cooking times. It would seem you bake the meatloaf for 15 minutes and then you should broil it while the potatoes are boiling (but for how long, 15 minutes?) and then bake everything for another 15? I see the total cooking time is 43 minutes so those 3 together would equal about that but 15 minutes seems like an awfully long time to be broiling something?
I took that step out but forgot to remove it from the recipe card, so sorry about the confusion. It’ll cook for a total of 30 minutes.
I was actually really excited to cook this but come to find out, I had to put it in for an additional 30 mins because the Hamburg was completely raw after the requested 15 mins. Was finally done after an additional 30 mins
I am confused
After baking at 375 and then draining it calls for broiling but for what length of time
No need to broil it just layer the mashed potatoes on top and bake for an additional 15 minutes. Enjoy!
I’m confused on “baking” the meatloaf on the broil setting. Also you stated while the meatloaf is baking, yet again on the broil setting. Please explain. Thank you
I decided to take that step out. No need to broil it now.
Looks awesome! The recipe calls for a 9×9 baking dish, but the pictures show a 9×13??
I used a 8×10 dish for the photos (I thought the red was pretty, haha) but it was made in a 9×9 dish. Both actually have the same volume so either will work. Hope this clears things up.
Hello~ I want to make this, but I am confused as to the size of the baking dish to use. The recipe calls for a 9×9, but the photo looks to be a 9×13. Which is best?
I used a 9×9. The photo shown is a 8×10 (which is the same volume so you could use that as well). I just liked the red dish for the photo. Sorry I confused you.
is this really for a 9×9 dish? the pictures dont look square… just wondering how deep the meat layer should be if I were to attempt to make it in a 9×13 dish!
I used a 8×10 pan for the photo but it has the same volume as a 9×9 so you can use either.
How can meatloaf be done in 15 minutes???
It goes in for 15 minutes and then you’ll put the mashed potato on top and cook for an additional 15 minutes. Enjoy!
I would not put the bacon on before broiling. My bacon burned badly. Otherwise good.
Your recipe does not say how long to leave under the broiler.
After retesting, I took that step out. I don’t think it was needed. I hope you enjoy it!
I don’t understand the instructions? Once you bake it for 15 minutes are supposed to put back under the broiler? and then make the potatoes I assume. How long are you supposed to broil it for?
No broiling needed. So sorry for the confusion.
If you add a layer of cream style corn between meat and potatoes you get a Quebec’s favorite dish called chinese pie (a kind of shepperd’s pie). Delicious!
Thanks for the suggestion!
These look so good and easy???Thank you??
Looks, good, but I’m confused on step 4 and 5. How long do you broil the meatloaf after the first bake? Not for the whole duration the potatoes cook, right?
That step shouldn’t have been added. I’m so sorry for the confusion. I’ve edited it to read correctly now.
Meatloaf is an American staple for family dinners. I love that this recipe is quick and easy to assemble. Perfect for mid-week meals.
It’s definitely a classic!
Ohhhh this is so packed with flavor! delish
So glad you enjoyed it, Rebecca.
This was such an easy recipe, and the meatloaf turned out delicious. I’ll try using ground pork for next time since I got request to remake and I’m completely out of ground beef at the moment. 🙂
Yay! So glad it’s requested again.
No. 4 says to adjust oven temp to broil but doesn’t say how long to leave meatloaf in oven?
So sorry about that. I’ve edited the recipe card to read more clearer. No need to broil this. Enjoy!
This is so good. Comforting and easy to make. Thanks for the recipe.
You’re welcome, Sophie. Thanks for the 5 stars.
What a delicious sounding casserole! The cheesy topping looks so good too!
I hope you enjoyed it, Bintu.
Can instant potatoes be substituted for real potatoes?
I’ve not tested it before but if you decide to try, I’d love to know how it turns out. Thanks!
This recipe looks amazing..!! I can’t wait to try it.
Enjoy!