Loaded Mashed Potato Meatloaf Casserole is an easy, kid-friendly casserole with a meatloaf base, mashed potatoes, and 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!
Sabrina’s Loaded Mashed Potato Meatloaf Casserole
Casseroles are a weeknight meal many families love to make. They are easy, and clean up is a breeze since they rarely need more than a few dishes to prepare. This Loaded Mashed Potato Meatloaf Casserole is no exception and comes together within an hour, without destroying your kitchen. This recipe is sort of a “Cowboy Shepherd’s Pie”. Fluffy mashed potatoes that have been loaded with cheese, bacon topping, on a classic meatloaf recipe! Plus calling it a Cowboy Meatloaf Casserole gets kids to gobble it down.
Recipe Card
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 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt , divided
- 1/2 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper , divided
- 2 pounds russet potatoes , peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 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, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper then press into a 9×9-inch 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, 1 teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Mash 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, cheese is bubbling, and the mashed potatoes are slightly crispy.
Nutrition
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Table of Contents
About this Recipe
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, you can prepare them according to box directions and layer them the same way as homemade mashed potatoes..
Chef’s Note
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 this be made ahead of time?
Yes, you can make this ahead. 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 the cheese.
How to Store
- 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.
Alternate Cooking Technique
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 half the 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.
Variations
- 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. Try 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.
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I’ve made this a few times and we like it! I always use instant mashed potatoes and it’s ready in 30 minutes. I like to vary it by adding stuff like bell pepper, olives, or diced jalapeños and changing the type of cheese I use.
These are all great ideas, Kat. Instant mashed potatoes come in quite handy when wanting to save some time in the kitchen. Thank you for the tips, and the positive review!
I’ve got to say that this is really good. My husband is extremely picky and even he gave it 5 out of 5.
So glad to hear! Thank you Rose and thank you for the five stars.
This doesn’t say how long to cook meatloaf, except for the 1st 15 minutes, do you finish cooking after you drain it?
The meat is baked uncovered for 15 minutes and then drained.
After the potato mixture is made you add it to the baked meat and bake another 15 minutes. (see steps 6 and 7 on the recipe card).
Hope that helps.
I found this recipe while looking for soft, filling foods that my daughter could eat with sore teeth and gums, after getting new braces. I used a 9×13″ pan, simply to make it a little thinner for her. I got my potatoes started in the pot and then assembled the meatloaf. Everything timed out perfectly, and my kids and husband really loved it. I will definitely be making it again.
What an amazing Mom. Thank you Kay and especially for the 5 star review. New braces are no joke.
What could be better than meat loaf? Bacon, cheese and mashed potatoes on top! yum!
So, I am horrible at following recipes bc I change every one I see. It drives my Aunt nuts, but your recipe inspired me for tonights dinner. The changes that I made where parmesan cream cheese and chive potatoes with added bacon bits. I feed a 13 yr old son so of course I needed to double the recipe if anyone else wanted to eat. I like the difference in flavor of meat so I used mixed ground beef and pork. Then I added black olives, mushrooms, spinach, cheddar cheese, bacon bits, orange and yellow bell peppers. Also I added garlic and onion powder seasoning to the meat mixture. Then made four little loads so I could drain the fatter meat. It added an extra 15 mins to the 45 mins cook time for yours. It was a hit! Thank you for inspiring our dinner tonight!
I am going to make this to freeze, should I cook everything and then freeze it, correct? Also, how long do you think I can keep it in the freezer? Thanks!
You’re right, cook everything, cool down completely and transfer to am airtight container and freeze up to two months. Enjoy!
What would be the directions to heat up after freezing?
Freeze: Cool the casserole completely before freezing in a sealed container. Allow to thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
My ground beef comes in 1 lb packaging. if i decided to up the amount of meat in this to 2 lbs, how much longer would you guess the meat would need to cook for? My first thought is 10 minutes longer, but i’m terrible at timing cooking things.
30 min don’t seem long enough for meatloaf to cook??
take it’s temperature. i think it is 165 for meat, anyway, check it. i have an instant meat thermometer makes everything easy.
This was really great! I made it last night and was so surprised with how well the timing worked out. I put the bacon in the cold oven for 16 minutes on 400F, so that heated up the oven for me. Then I started the potatoes and while they were boiling I made the meatloaf. When the bacon was done I was ready to put the meatloaf in the oven. Then I was able to get the potatoes mashed just as the meatloaf was done. I did cook the meatloaf for 20 minutes by itself. I followed all your instructions exactly, they were great. I even had the kitchen all cleaned up by the time everything was done. Took me a little over an hour and I was very happy. The dish looked so nice when it was done and everyone really liked it. Thanks for such a great dinner recipe!
Thank you for such an easy and delicious recipe.
Hi Jeannie! You are very welcome and thank you for trying out my recipe!
I only see milk mentioned once here … how much for meatloaf and how much for mashed potatoes?
Hi! Sorry it looks confusing, the second mention of milk is under the “2 pounds potatoes” in the ingredient list. Its is 1/2 cup.
Doesn’t the meat layer get greasy from the ground beef. When I make meatloaf there is grease (drippings) in the baking dish which I need to drain?
The recipe looks and sounds delish though.
I used an 85/15 ground beef so it didn’t produce a lot of grease so it wasn’t an issues. I hope you enjoy it!
Excellent and super easy
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.
There is no way the hamburger would get done in 15 minutes I make my shepherd’s pie this way and add my mashed potatoes on my uncooked hamburger and bake it for 1 and a half hours at 400 degrees
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!
Can I make this in a 9×13? I don’t own a 9×9!
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!
I actually added spicy ketchup to the meatloaf before adding the potatoes! It was delicious!
Great idea Amy! Thanks so much for the 5 star review.