Description
Cowboy Meatloaf and Potato Casserole is a hearty, all-in-one comfort dish combining juicy meatloaf, creamy mashed potatoes, crispy fried onions, and gooey cheese. It’s a down-home classic perfect for feeding a hungry crowd.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 3 cups mashed potatoes (prepared ahead or instant)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup crispy fried onions (like French’s)
- Optional: chopped green onions or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×9-inch or similar-sized baking dish.
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, ketchup, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined.
- Press the meat mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, forming an even layer.
- Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, or until the meat is mostly cooked through.
- Carefully drain any excess grease. Spread mashed potatoes evenly over the meatloaf layer.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top of the potatoes.
- Return to the oven and bake for another 10–15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Top with crispy fried onions and bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until golden.
- Garnish with green onions or parsley before serving, if desired.
Notes
- Use barbecue sauce instead of ketchup in the meatloaf mix for a smokier flavor.
- This dish can be assembled in advance and baked later — just add 10 minutes to the baking time if coming straight from the fridge.
- Try adding cooked corn or green beans between the meat and potato layers for extra veggies.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of casserole
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
Keywords: cowboy casserole, meatloaf casserole, mashed potato bake, cheesy meatloaf, comfort food