Meatloaf Casserole with Mash (Printable Version)
Layered beef and pork loaf with tangy glaze, creamy mashed potatoes and melted cheddar for a hearty family meal.
# Ingredient List:
→ 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 whole milk
08 - 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
09 - 1 tsp kosher salt
10 - 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
11 - 1/2 tsp dried thyme
12 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
→ Mashed Potato Layer
13 - 2 lbs russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
14 - 4 tbsp unsalted butter
15 - 1/2 cup whole milk
16 - Salt and pepper, to taste
→ Topping
17 - 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
18 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
→ Sauce
19 - 1/2 cup ketchup
20 - 2 tbsp brown sugar
21 - 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
# How to Make:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick cooking spray.
02 - Place peeled and cubed potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold salted water. Bring to a boil and cook for approximately 15 minutes 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, chopped onion, minced garlic, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, Worcestershire sauce, salt, black pepper, dried thyme, and smoked paprika. Mix gently until just incorporated without overworking the meat.
04 - Press the meat mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, forming a uniform flat layer.
05 - In a small bowl, stir together ketchup, brown sugar, and Dijon mustard until smooth. Spread the sauce evenly across the surface of the meat layer.
06 - Spoon the prepared mashed potatoes over the sauced meat layer and spread gently to cover evenly, sealing the edges.
07 - Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese uniformly over 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 golden brown.
09 - Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired. Serve warm.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- It gives you all the nostalgia of a classic meatloaf dinner in one single pan, which means fewer dishes and a happier cook.
- The mashed potato crust gets golden and slightly crispy on top while staying fluffy underneath, creating a texture contrast that will have people going back for seconds.
02 -
- Overmixing the meat mixture is the fastest way to turn this comforting dish into something dense and rubbery, so stop mixing the moment everything looks evenly distributed.
- Letting the casserole rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing is not optional because the layers need time to settle or everything will slide apart on the plate.
03 -
- Spread the mashed potatoes starting from the edges and working inward to prevent the sauce layer from mixing into the potatoes and making things soupy.
- Use a potato ricer for the smoothest mash possible because lumps hidden under cheese are a disappointing surprise at the dinner table.