Name: Cheesy Loaded Meatloaf Casserole – Easy Dinner Recipes Favorite
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef; 1 egg; 1 cup breadcrumbs; 1/2 cup milk; 1/2 onion, finely chopped; 1/2 tsp garlic powder; Salt and pepper to taste; 2 cups mashed potatoes (prepared); 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese; 1/2 cup crumbled cooked bacon; 2 tbsp chopped parsley (optional)

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If you’re like me and crave hearty comfort food after a long day, this cheesy loaded meatloaf casserole is what home should taste like. Imagine creamy mashed potatoes hugging a layer of savory meatloaf, all blanketed under melted cheese and crispy bacon. It’s the kind of dinner that earns quiet at the table, the good kind, when mouths are full and everyone’s smiling. This is one of those easy dinner recipes that saves the day. We’re talking about a no-fuss dish that combines cheesy chicken recipes-style indulgence with the baked casserole recipes we all grew up on. It’s simple to throw together, rich with flavor, and honestly just feels good to eat. If you’re looking for a break from the usual buffalo chicken casserole or a twist on cheesy baked chicken, this easy chicken casserole recipe delivers on all counts. And hey, serve it after a dessert casserole and you’ve officially won the day.

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 Main Course Recipes next!
9) Cheesy Loaded Meatloaf Casserole Recipe
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

What makes a meatloaf casserole “loaded”?
How do you layer mashed potatoes and meatloaf?
Can you prepare meatloaf casserole ahead of time?
What’s the best cheese to use for a baked casserole?

2) Easy Cheesy Loaded Meatloaf Casserole Recipe

When the weather dips and your energy runs low, you need easy dinner recipes that don’t ask for much but give back plenty. That’s where this cheesy loaded meatloaf casserole comes in. It’s the dinner you make when you want everyone to hush up, sit down, and eat something that feels good going down. And let’s be honest, isn’t that exactly what we’re looking for after a long day?

I start with a classic meatloaf base—simple, flavorful, and packed with just enough texture to feel satisfying but never fussy. Then comes a layer of creamy mashed potatoes, the kind that practically hug the beef below. But we’re not stopping there. Nope. We pile on shredded cheese and crispy bacon, because this is one of those baked casserole recipes that knows how to treat your cravings right.

If you’re always looking for cheesy chicken recipes or something like a buffalo chicken casserole but want a switch-up, this one ticks those boxes in a new direction. It’s like the laid-back cousin of easy chicken casserole recipes, and yes, it goes great after a dessert casserole. Trust me, I’ve tested that theory more times than I care to admit.

3) Ingredients for Cheesy Loaded Meatloaf Casserole

Ground Beef: Use one pound of good-quality ground beef. It’s hearty, rich, and forms the base of the whole dish.

Egg: One large egg helps everything hold together without being too dense.

Breadcrumbs: A cup of breadcrumbs soaks up the flavor and moisture, keeping the meatloaf juicy instead of soggy.

Milk: Half a cup softens the texture just enough to keep it tender without falling apart.

Onion: Use half an onion, chopped fine. It brings a little bite and sweetness to balance the richness of the meat.

Garlic Powder: Just half a teaspoon adds background flavor without making things overly garlicky.

Salt and Pepper: Always taste and season your base well. I keep it simple here, but don’t skimp.

Mashed Potatoes: Two cups, already made. Leftovers work beautifully, especially if they’re buttery and smooth.

Cheddar Cheese: A cup and a half, shredded. I use sharp cheddar for a little extra kick. It melts like a dream.

Bacon: Cooked and crumbled, about half a cup. It adds crunch and salt to balance out the creaminess.

Parsley (optional): Just a sprinkle on top for color and a whisper of freshness.

4) How to Make Cheesy Loaded Meatloaf Casserole

Step 1. Preheat your oven to 375°F. Grease a square 9×9 casserole dish. You want enough space for layers but not so much that it spreads too thin.

Step 2. In a bowl, mix your ground beef, egg, breadcrumbs, milk, onion, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Use your hands or a spatula, just don’t overwork it or the meat gets tough.

Step 3. Press the meat mixture into the bottom of the dish. Spread it out evenly. Pop it into the oven for about 20 minutes. You want it cooked through, but not dry.

Step 4. Take it out and let it rest a few minutes. Then gently spread your mashed potatoes on top. Don’t worry if it’s not perfect; rustic is the goal here.

Step 5. Sprinkle on the shredded cheese, then the bacon. Be generous. This is not the time to hold back.

Step 6. Slide it back into the oven for 15 minutes. The cheese should bubble, the bacon should crisp, and the kitchen should smell like you just won dinner.

Step 7. Pull it out and top it with chopped parsley. Let it cool slightly, then serve it in big, cheesy scoops.

5) Tips for Making Cheesy Loaded Meatloaf Casserole

If you’re pressed for time, store-bought mashed potatoes are totally fine. I’ve used them more than once on a weeknight when dishes were already piled high. The trick is to warm them before spreading, so they’re easier to layer.

Use freshly shredded cheese when you can. Pre-shredded tends to be coated with stuff that keeps it from melting smooth. And while we’re being real, that cheese pull is half the reason we’re making this thing anyway.

Don’t overbake the meat base. Twenty minutes is enough, and remember it’s going back in the oven with toppings. Overcooked meatloaf is like chewing an old sock—no one wants that. Trust me, I’ve been there.

6) Making Cheesy Loaded Meatloaf Casserole Ahead of Time

I’ve prepped this entire dish the night before and baked it fresh after work, and it holds up beautifully. If you’re planning ahead, just assemble the meat layer and mashed potato layer, then refrigerate it covered.

When you’re ready to cook, pull it from the fridge about 30 minutes before baking so it doesn’t go in stone-cold. Add the cheese and bacon just before the second round in the oven for best results.

This is one of those easy dinner recipes that makes life feel easier. You can even prep it Sunday and serve it Monday, and no one at the table will complain. If they do, well, maybe don’t feed them next time.

7) Storing Leftover Cheesy Loaded Meatloaf Casserole

Leftovers? Good. That means tomorrow’s dinner is already solved. Scoop whatever’s left into an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to four days.

To reheat, I like the oven or toaster oven better than the microwave. It keeps the top crispy and the cheese melty instead of rubbery. Just cover it loosely with foil to avoid drying it out.

You can even freeze this, though the potatoes change texture a bit. If that doesn’t bother you, it’s a nice backup for nights when cooking feels like a chore. And let’s face it, we all have those.

8) Try these Main Course Recipes next!

9) Cheesy Loaded Meatloaf Casserole Recipe