This Loaded Potato & Meatloaf Casserole is the ultimate comfort food dish that layers juicy meatloaf with creamy mashed potatoes, melted cheese, and fresh green onions. It’s a hearty, satisfying meal that brings together the best of two classic dinners in one irresistible bake.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love how this casserole merges the richness of a savory meatloaf with the comfort of loaded mashed potatoes. It’s warm, cheesy, and full of flavor with every bite. The green onions add a pop of freshness that balances out the richness, and it’s easy to put together on a weeknight or for a cozy weekend meal.
ingredients
(Here's a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Lean ground beef
- Instant mashed potatoes
- Milk
- Butter
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Eggs
- Ritz crackers (crushed)
- BBQ sauce
- Green onions
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Salt and pepper
directions
- I cook the ground beef in a skillet until browned, then drain the fat.
- I mix the beef with crushed crackers, eggs, BBQ sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- I spread the meat mixture into a greased 9x13 baking dish and bake it for about 30 minutes at 400°F.
- While the meat layer bakes, I prepare the mashed potatoes using butter and milk, then stir in shredded cheddar cheese.
- Once the meatloaf layer is cooked through, I spread the cheesy mashed potatoes evenly over the top.
- I sprinkle additional shredded cheddar over the potatoes and return the dish to the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- I top the casserole with freshly chopped green onions just before serving.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes about 6 servings.
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 45 minutes
Total time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Variations
I sometimes switch the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken if I want something a little lighter. For extra flavor, I’ve added sautéed mushrooms or chopped spinach into the meat mixture. If I’m in the mood for a little heat, I mix a touch of hot sauce into the mashed potatoes or sprinkle in some crushed red pepper flakes.
storage/reheating
I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. When I’m ready to reheat, I warm individual portions in the microwave for about 2 minutes or reheat the entire dish in a 350°F oven for 15–20 minutes, covered with foil to keep it moist.
FAQs
How do I make this casserole ahead of time?
I assemble the casserole completely, cover it, and refrigerate it. When I’m ready to serve, I bake it until hot and the cheese is melted.
Can I freeze this casserole?
Yes, I freeze it before the final bake. I thaw it in the fridge overnight and then bake until heated through.
Can I use homemade mashed potatoes?
Absolutely. I often make mashed potatoes from scratch when I have the time, and they work perfectly in this dish.
What other cheeses can I use?
I’ve used mozzarella, Monterey Jack, and even Colby. Any melty cheese that I enjoy works well in this recipe.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
It can be! I replace the Ritz crackers with gluten-free breadcrumbs and use a gluten-free BBQ sauce to make it gluten-free.
Conclusion
This Loaded Potato & Meatloaf Casserole is everything I crave in a comfort food dish—savory, creamy, and topped with melted cheese and green onions. It’s simple enough for a weeknight dinner but delicious enough to serve to guests. I love how easy it is to make ahead, and the leftovers never disappoint.
Loaded Potato & Meatloaf Casserole
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Dinner, Casserole
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Loaded Potato & Meatloaf Casserole is the ultimate comfort food mashup—juicy, savory meatloaf topped with creamy, cheesy mashed potatoes and a sprinkle of green onions. Easy to prepare and even better as leftovers, this hearty casserole is the perfect weeknight dinner that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
- Lean ground beef
- Instant mashed potatoes
- Milk
- Butter
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Eggs
- Ritz crackers (crushed)
- BBQ sauce
- Green onions
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- In a skillet, brown ground beef and drain excess fat.
- In a mixing bowl, combine cooked beef, crushed crackers, eggs, BBQ sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Press meat mixture into a greased 9x13 baking dish and bake for 30 minutes.
- While baking, prepare instant mashed potatoes with butter and milk. Stir in shredded cheddar cheese.
- Spread cheesy mashed potatoes over baked meatloaf layer.
- Top with additional shredded cheddar and bake until cheese is melted and bubbly (about 10–15 minutes).
- Garnish with chopped green onions before serving.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
- Add chopped mushrooms or spinach to the meat mixture for extra veggies.
- Stir hot sauce or crushed red pepper flakes into the potatoes for a spicy twist.
- Leftovers reheat well and are even better the next day.
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