Description
This hearty meatloaf with mashed potatoes and melted cheddar cheese is a comforting one-dish meal perfect for family dinners. A savory ground beef meatloaf base is topped with creamy mashed potatoes mixed with sour cream and butter, then finished with a golden, cheesy crust. Easy to prepare and baked in a single dish, this recipe brings classic flavors and a satisfying texture combination.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Meatloaf Layer:
- 1 lb ground beef (85/15 preferred)
- 1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Mashed Potato Layer:
- 3 cups mashed potatoes (prepared or leftover)
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 tbsp butter
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Topping:
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches the ideal temperature for baking the meatloaf and potatoes evenly.
- Mix the meatloaf ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, ketchup, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir gently just until all ingredients are incorporated, taking care not to overmix to keep the meatloaf tender.
- Press the meat mixture into the baking dish: Grease a 9×9-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper. Spread the meat mixture evenly across the bottom of the dish to form a uniform layer.
- Bake the meatloaf base: Place the dish in the oven uncovered and bake for 20–25 minutes, allowing the meat layer to begin cooking through and firming up so it can support the layers above.
- Prepare the mashed potato layer: While the meatloaf bakes, warm the mashed potatoes in a microwave or stovetop until hot. Stir in the sour cream and butter until creamy and smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Layer the mashed potatoes over the meatloaf: Carefully spread the prepared mashed potatoes evenly over the partially baked meatloaf layer, ensuring full coverage.
- Add shredded cheddar cheese: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the mashed potato layer to create a rich, melty topping.
- Bake until cheese is melted and bubbly: Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 10–15 minutes, or until the cheese topping is golden, bubbly, and fully melted.
- Rest, garnish, and serve: Remove the baked meatloaf from the oven and let it cool for 5–10 minutes to set. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired. Slice into squares and enjoy your comforting meal.
Notes
- You can use leftover mashed potatoes or prepare fresh ones for the potato layer.
- For a lower-fat version, substitute ground beef with ground turkey or use reduced-fat cheese.
- Breadcrumbs help bind the meatloaf but can be omitted for a gluten-free option by using gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- The baking dish size can be adjusted proportionally if needed, but thickness of layers will impact cooking time.
- Letting meatloaf rest before slicing helps maintain moistness and cleaner slices.
- Feel free to add herbs like thyme or parsley into the meat mixture for added flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: meatloaf recipe, mashed potatoes, comfort food, cheesy meatloaf, baked meatloaf, family dinner
