Dive into a hearty casserole with creamy mashed potatoes, succulent ground beef (or turkey), crispy bacon, and melted cheddar.

123 2 minutes read

Loaded Potato and Meatloaf Casserole is the epitome of comfort food, blending the savory flavors of a traditional meatloaf with the creamy, cheesy goodness of loaded potatoes. This dish is perfect for family dinners, gatherings, and even meal prepping for the week. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive deep into the recipe, explore its ingredients, preparation methods, and provide helpful tips to make the perfect casserole every time.

Ingredients:

Meat:

Ingredient	Amount
Thick-cut bacon	6 slices, cooked and crumbled
Ground beef or turkey	1 1/2 lbs, lean

Produce:

Ingredient	Amount
Minced garlic	1 tbsp
Potatoes	2 lbs, peeled and thinly sliced
Diced white onion	1/2 cup

Refrigerated:

Ingredient	Amount
Large egg	1

Condiments:

Ingredient	Amount
Barbecue sauce	1/2 cup
Worcestershire sauce	1 tbsp

Baking & Spices:

Ingredient	Amount
Ground black pepper	1 tsp
Kosher salt	1 tsp

Bread & Baked Goods:

Ingredient	Amount
Seasoned bread crumbs	1 cup

Dairy:

Ingredient	Amount
Unsalted butter	1/2 cup
Shredded cheddar cheese	1 1/2 cups
Cottage cheese	1/3 cup
Milk or half-and-half	1/2 cup
Sour cream	1/2 cup

Instructions:

Step 1: Preheat Oven

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.

Step 2: Prepare Potatoes

In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the thinly sliced potatoes for about 5 minutes, just until slightly tender. Drain and set aside.

Step 3: Cook Meatloaf Mixture

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef or turkey, minced garlic, diced onion, egg, bread crumbs, barbecue sauce, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.

Step 4: Assemble Casserole

Spread the meatloaf mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Top with the cooked and drained potatoes, spreading them out in an even layer. Sprinkle the crumbled bacon over the potatoes.

Step 5: Prepare Cheese Sauce

In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, until golden brown. Gradually whisk in the milk or half-and-half until smooth. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and cottage cheese until melted and smooth.

Step 6: Bake

Pour the cheese sauce evenly over the casserole. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.

Step 7: Serve

Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with dollops of sour cream and chopped chives or green onions if desired.

123 2 minutes read