Meatloaf Casserole with Mashed Potatoes (Print View)
Comforting meatloaf-style casserole with seasoned meats, tangy glaze, creamy mashed potatoes, and melted cheddar.
# What You Need:
→ Meat Mixture
01 - 1 lb ground beef
02 - ½ lb ground pork
03 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 cup breadcrumbs
06 - 1 large egg
07 - ⅓ cup whole milk
08 - 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
09 - 1 tsp kosher salt
10 - ½ tsp ground black pepper
11 - ½ tsp dried thyme
12 - ½ tsp smoked paprika
→ Mashed Potato Layer
13 - 2 lbs russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
14 - 4 tbsp unsalted butter
15 - ½ cup whole milk
16 - Salt and pepper, to taste
→ Sauce
17 - ½ 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)
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
02 - Place peeled and cubed potatoes in a large pot and cover with salted cold water. Bring to a boil and 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, onion, garlic, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, thyme, and smoked paprika. Mix gently with your hands until just combined — avoid overmixing 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, whisk together ketchup, brown sugar, and Dijon mustard. Spread the sauce evenly over 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 to prevent the sauce from bubbling over.
07 - Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly across the surface of the mashed potato layer.
08 - Bake uncovered for 40 to 45 minutes until the casserole is bubbling at the edges, 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 before slicing. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired and serve warm.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- The mashed potato blanket on top turns ordinary meatloaf into something that feels like a celebration without any extra effort.
- That sweet tangy sauce seeps into the meat and keeps every bite incredibly moist, even on reheating the next day.
02 -
- Overmixing the meat is the fastest way to end up with a dense rubbery layer, so stop as soon as everything looks combined.
- Letting the casserole rest before cutting keeps the layers intact and saves you from a soupy mess on the serving plate.
03 -
- Spread the potatoes all the way to the edges of the dish to create a seal that traps moisture inside the meat layer.
- Use a potato ricer for the smoothest mash, because any lumps in the topping will only get more noticeable after baking.