This cheesy loaded meatloaf casserole checks all the boxes if you’re chasing comfort in a dish 🍽️. I mean, meat and potatoes were already best friends—but then we threw cheese into the mix, and things got serious 🧀. The kind of serious that makes you forget all about how to make pancakes easy recipes-style and just dive headfirst into something warm, rich, and ready in a snap. When I first made this, I didn’t expect the kitchen to smell like every diner’s Sunday special had just walked into my oven. It’s a mash-up of a classic meatloaf and that irresistible cheesey potatoes easy recipe everyone secretly wants to claim as their own. It’s also a life-saver when the week’s felt long and you just want a hearty, easy recipe for dinner with no fuss. And hey, this might not be a butter swim biscuits easy recipes situation, but it’s got that same kind of soul-hug energy. Ground beef, creamy mashed potatoes, and a cheesy topping that bubbles up like a warm blanket? Let’s just say, quick and easy recipes don’t always come this rewarding 🥔❤️.
Table of Contents
- 1) Key Takeaways
- 2) Easy Cheesy Loaded Meatloaf Casserole Recipe
- 3) Ingredients for Cheesy Loaded Meatloaf Casserole
- 4) How to Make Cheesy Loaded Meatloaf Casserole
- 5) Tips for Making Cheesy Loaded Meatloaf Casserole
- 6) Making Cheesy Loaded Meatloaf Casserole Ahead of Time
- 7) Storing Leftover Cheesy Loaded Meatloaf Casserole
- 8) Try these Dinners next!
- 9) Cheesy Loaded Meatloaf Casserole
- 10) Nutrition
1) Key Takeaways
- Perfect weeknight meal using easy recipes with ground beef 🥩
- Loaded with creamy mashed potatoes and bubbly cheddar 🧀
- Feeds a hungry family with minimal fuss 🍽️
- Great to make ahead and reheats beautifully 🔄
2) Easy Cheesy Loaded Meatloaf Casserole Recipe
Whenever I’m staring down a pound of ground beef and wondering what’s next, this easy recipe with ground beef always steps up. It’s cheesy. It’s hearty. It’s dinner that doesn’t demand a dozen steps or a gourmet kitchen. Just comfort and flavor, plain and simple 🍛.
This casserole is a favorite in my house, mostly because it plays nice with whatever you’ve got on hand. It’s the kind of thing that makes “quick and easy recipes” feel less like a promise and more like dinner ready before anyone even finishes asking what’s for it. I like to layer in creamy mashed potatoes, pile on shredded cheddar, and let it all bubble up to golden goodness in the oven. That’s it. Nothing wild. Just dependable dinner with a cheesy twist 🥔🧀.
Now, some nights this might replace your butter swim biscuits easy recipes habit. Other nights, it pairs with a simple green salad, and boom—you’ve got a meal that covers it all. This is one of those sweet easy recipes that doesn’t try too hard. And maybe that’s why it works so well 🧡.
3) Ingredients for Cheesy Loaded Meatloaf Casserole
Ground Beef: About one and a half pounds works great. I go with 80/20 for a good mix of flavor and tenderness. You could use leaner meat if you want, but don’t come at me if it turns out dry 😅.
Onion: One small, diced. It adds a bit of sweetness once cooked, and it rounds out the beef like they were meant to meet in a skillet.
Garlic: Just two cloves. Nothing fancy here, just that good, warm kick you expect in an easy recipes with ground beef situation.
Salt and Pepper: A teaspoon of salt and a half teaspoon of pepper do the trick for seasoning without stealing the spotlight.
Worcestershire Sauce: A tablespoon gives the meat mixture that savory, hard-to-describe, but totally necessary edge.
Ketchup: I know some folks feel strongly about ketchup in meatloaf, but one tablespoon here is more of a background player than a headliner.
Eggs: Two, for binding everything like glue but tastier.
Cheddar Cheese: Use one cup, half in the meat, half on top. The melt is magic 🔥.
Mashed Potatoes: Three cups, either leftovers or freshly whipped. Smooth them on like frosting. The creamy kind, not the cake kind 😋.
Green Onions: Optional, but they give the top a bit of color and crunch. Adds just enough bite to make you feel like you tried.
4) How to Make Cheesy Loaded Meatloaf Casserole
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Grease your baking dish. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself when it’s cleanup time.
Step 2: Heat olive oil in a pan. Toss in diced onion, cook until it softens, then stir in minced garlic. Let that aroma roll through the kitchen 💨.
Step 3: Add the beef. Brown it up, break it into chunks, and cook it through. Drain the fat unless you’re into greasy casseroles.
Step 4: In a big bowl, mix the cooked beef, seasonings, Worcestershire, ketchup, eggs, and half the cheese. Get your hands dirty—it’s the best way.
Step 5: Press that beefy mix into your pan. Smooth it out like you’re laying a base for greatness.
Step 6: Spread the mashed potatoes across the top. Smooth it down so the cheese doesn’t escape. Sprinkle with the rest of that glorious cheddar 🧀.
Step 7: Bake for about 30 minutes, or until the cheese on top starts to get that golden edge. Let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing in.
5) Tips for Making Cheesy Loaded Meatloaf Casserole
Use mashed potatoes that aren’t fresh off the stove—they’re easier to spread and won’t steam up your meatloaf. I’ve made that mistake before. Soup casserole? Not fun 🥴.
Don’t overmix your beef. It’s a casserole, not a stress ball. Gentle hands make soft meat.
If you want more texture, mix a handful of crushed crackers or breadcrumbs into the beef mixture. Adds just the right crunch and soaks up extra juice.
6) Making Cheesy Loaded Meatloaf Casserole Ahead of Time
Here’s a little magic: this dish actually gets better if you make it a few hours before dinner. Let the flavors settle into each other—it’s like letting the casserole take a nap 💤.
Just prep everything up to the bake, cover it, and chill in the fridge. When you’re ready, pull it out, bring it to room temp, and bake like usual. Easy recipes with ground beef don’t need to be last-minute to be tasty.
I’ve even frozen individual portions. Wrap them up, stack them like edible Tetris, and reheat when you need a comforting bite fast 🔄.
7) Storing Leftover Cheesy Loaded Meatloaf Casserole
Store leftovers in an airtight container. It’ll keep in the fridge for 4 to 5 days, maybe longer if you’re lucky. I like to reheat it in the oven so the edges crisp up again 🔁.
Microwave? Totally fine too, just add a damp paper towel to avoid dry potatoes.
Want to stretch it? Wrap a scoop in a tortilla and call it a meatloaf burrito. I’m not saying it’s traditional—I’m just saying it’s good 🌯.
8) Try these Dinners next!
9) Cheesy Loaded Meatloaf Casserole
Cheesy Loaded Meatloaf Casserole – Easy Recipes With Ground Beef
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 3 cups mashed potatoes (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 tablespoons chopped green onions (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish—don’t skip this unless you want to chisel out your dinner later.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, warm the olive oil and toss in the diced onion. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic, cook for another 30 seconds.
- Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up as it browns. Cook until no longer pink, then drain the fat if there’s more than you’d like.
- Transfer the beef mixture to a large mixing bowl. Add salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, eggs, and half the shredded cheese. Mix until combined, but don’t overdo it—nobody likes rubbery meatloaf.
- Spread the meat mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Spoon mashed potatoes across the top and smooth into a soft layer—think frosting, but savory.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese over the mashed potatoes. Bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Top with chopped green onions if you’re feeling fancy, then serve hot. Leftovers hold up like champs.
10) Nutrition
Serving Size: 1/6 of the casserole | Calories: 515 | Sugar: 3.1 g | Sodium: 790 mg | Fat: 28.5 g | Saturated Fat: 11 g | Carbohydrates: 32 g | Fiber: 2.2 g | Protein: 31 g | Cholesterol: 117 mg
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