Meatloaf Casserole with Mash (Printable)
Comforting meatloaf casserole with seasoned beef-pork, sweet glaze, mashed potatoes and melted cheddar.
# 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)
# Method:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set aside.
02 - In a large pot, cook the peeled and cubed potatoes in salted boiling water until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain well, then mash together with butter, milk, salt, and pepper until smooth. Set aside.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, Worcestershire sauce, salt, black pepper, dried thyme, and smoked paprika. Mix gently until just combined without overworking the meat.
04 - Evenly press the meat mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, creating a uniform flat layer.
05 - In a small bowl, whisk together the ketchup, brown sugar, and Dijon mustard. Spread the sauce evenly over the pressed meat layer.
06 - Gently spoon the prepared mashed potatoes over the sauced meat layer, spreading evenly to the edges to fully cover the surface.
07 - Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly across the top of 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 on top.
09 - Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired and serve warm.
# Insider Tips:
01 -
- It takes everything you already love about meatloaf and turns it into a fork tender casserole with a golden cheesy crust on top.
- The mashed potato middle soaks up the sweet tangy sauce in a way that regular meatloaf never quite manages.
02 -
- Overmixing the meat makes it rubbery and dense, so stop as soon as everything looks evenly combined.
- Letting the casserole rest before slicing keeps the layers intact instead of sliding apart into a beautiful mess.
03 -
- Wet your hands slightly before pressing the meat into the dish to keep it from sticking to your palms.
- Shred your own cheese from a block rather than using pre shredded bags because it melts smoother and tastes better.