Description
Comfort meets culinary creativity in this cheesy loaded meatloaf casserole, bringing together hearty ground beef, melted cheese, and crispy bacon bits. Satisfying flavors meld perfectly, offering a delicious twist on classic comfort food that you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
- 1/2 pound (227 grams) ground pork
Binding and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
Topping and Garnish:
- 2 cups mashed potatoes
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup cooked and crumbled bacon
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and thoroughly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, minced garlic, diced onions, and Italian seasoning, gently mixing until ingredients are evenly distributed without overmixing.
- Transfer the meat mixture into the prepared baking dish, carefully spreading it into an even layer to ensure consistent cooking.
- Create a shallow well or trench down the center of the meat mixture to hold additional ingredients and prevent overflow during baking.
- Layer crispy bacon strips across the top of the meat mixture, allowing them to slightly overlap for maximum flavor coverage.
- Drizzle barbecue sauce evenly over the meat and bacon, using a silicone brush to ensure complete and uniform coating.
- Sprinkle a generous layer of shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses over the entire surface, covering the meat and bacon completely.
- Place additional diced onions and chopped fresh parsley on top of the cheese for added visual appeal and flavor complexity.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil, creating a slight tent to prevent direct cheese burning while allowing steam circulation.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, removing the foil during the last 10 minutes to allow cheese to become golden and slightly crispy.
- Remove from oven and let the casserole rest for 10 minutes, allowing juices to redistribute and making slicing easier.
- Garnish with extra chopped parsley and serve hot, cutting into hearty rectangular portions.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to reduce overall fat content without sacrificing flavor.
- Mix meats like beef and pork for a more complex and richer taste profile.
- Grate cheese directly on top of the casserole in the last 10 minutes of baking for maximum melting and golden-brown crispiness.
- Add finely chopped vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini to boost nutrition and keep the dish moist.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg