Meatloaf Casserole with Mashed Potatoes (Printable Version)
Savory meatloaf topped with tangy glaze, creamy mashed potatoes and melted cheddar for easy family-style dinners.
# What You'll 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 milk
08 - 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
09 - 1 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
11 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
12 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
→ Mashed Potato Layer
13 - 2 lbs potatoes, peeled and cubed
14 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
15 - 1/2 cup milk
16 - Salt and pepper, to taste
→ Sauce
17 - 1/2 cup ketchup
18 - 2 tablespoons brown sugar
19 - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
→ Topping
20 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
21 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.
02 - In a large pot, cook the peeled and cubed potatoes in salted boiling water until fork-tender, about 15 minutes. Drain thoroughly, then mash with butter, milk, salt, and pepper until smooth. Set aside.
03 - In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, chopped onion, minced garlic, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, Worcestershire sauce, salt, black pepper, thyme, and smoked paprika. Mix gently until just incorporated—do not overmix to keep the texture tender.
04 - Press the meat mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, forming a uniform layer.
05 - In a small bowl, stir together the 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 evenly, sealing the edges to prevent the sauce from bubbling through.
07 - Sprinkle the 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 melted and golden brown on top.
09 - Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired and serve warm.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- It takes everything good about meatloaf and gives it a mashed potato blanket and a cheese crown.
- You get the hearty satisfaction of a full roast dinner with half the effort and none of the carving.
- The sweet tangy sauce layer seeps into the meat and makes every bite richer than it has any right to be.
02 -
- Overmixing the meat is the fastest way to get a tough rubbery texture so stop as soon as everything looks evenly distributed.
- Letting the casserole rest before slicing keeps it from falling apart into a puddle on your serving spoon.
03 -
- Spread the mashed potatoes in dollops first and then gently connect them rather than trying to spread one big mound all at once.
- Shred your own cheese from a block because pre shredded cheese is coated in starch and will not melt as smoothly.