Meatloaf Casserole with Mashed Potatoes (Print Page)
Hearty meat and potato casserole with melted cheese topping, ideal for cozy family dinners
# What You Need:
→ Meat Mixture
01 - 1 lb ground beef
02 - 1/2 lb ground pork
03 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 cup breadcrumbs
06 - 1 large egg
07 - 1/3 cup whole milk
08 - 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
09 - 1 tsp kosher salt
10 - 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
11 - 1/2 tsp dried thyme
12 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
→ Mashed Potato Layer
13 - 2 lbs russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
14 - 4 tbsp unsalted butter
15 - 1/2 cup whole milk
16 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Sauce
17 - 1/2 cup ketchup
18 - 2 tbsp brown sugar
19 - 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
→ Topping
20 - 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
21 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick cooking spray.
02 - Place peeled and cubed potatoes in a large pot, cover with salted water, and bring to a boil. Cook for 15 minutes or until fork-tender. Drain thoroughly, then mash with butter, milk, salt, and pepper until smooth. Set aside.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, chopped onion, minced garlic, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, thyme, and smoked paprika. Mix gently until just combined without overworking the meat.
04 - Evenly press the seasoned meat mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, forming a uniform layer.
05 - In a small bowl, whisk together ketchup, brown sugar, and Dijon mustard. Spread the sauce evenly across the surface of the meat layer.
06 - Spoon the mashed potatoes over the sauced meat layer and spread gently to cover completely, sealing the edges.
07 - Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the mashed potato layer.
08 - Bake uncovered for 40 to 45 minutes until the casserole is bubbling, the meat is cooked through, and the cheese is golden brown.
09 - Remove from oven and let rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired and serve warm.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- It gives you all the nostalgia of meatloaf without the wait or the slicing drama, and the potato topping makes it feel like a complete meal in one pan.
- The sauce caramelizes in the oven and seeps into the meat in a way that regular ketchup on top of a loaf simply never achieves.
02 -
- Overmixing the meat makes it tight and rubbery, so stop as soon as everything looks combined even if it feels too quick.
- Letting the casserole rest is not optional because if you cut it straight from the oven it will collapse into a steamy mess on your plate.
03 -
- Wet your hands slightly before pressing the meat into the dish and it will spread without sticking to your palms.
- Use a piping bag or a zip top bag with the corner snipped to distribute the mashed potatoes evenly without disturbing the sauce layer underneath.