Description
A seasoned beef meatloaf base topped with creamy mashed potatoes, cheddar, bacon, and green onions.
Yield: One 9 × 13-inch casserole
Servings: 8
Prep: About 30 minutes
Bake: 40–55 minutes
Rest: 10 minutes
Total: About 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 35 minutes with overlapping preparation
Oven: 375°F
Ingredients
Meat base
- 2 pounds 90% lean ground beef
- ¾ cup plain dry breadcrumbs
- ⅓ cup milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 small onion, grated or finely minced, about ½ cup
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ¾ teaspoon fine salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Oil or cooking spray for the dish
Potatoes and topping
- 3 pounds potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼–½ cup warm milk, as needed
- ½ teaspoon fine salt, plus optional salt for cooking water
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar, divided
- 6 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
- ¼ cup sliced green onions
Optional glaze
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
Instructions
- Heat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9 × 13-inch baking dish.
- Soak breadcrumbs in ⅓ cup milk for 5 minutes. Stir in eggs, onion, ketchup, Worcestershire, garlic powder, parsley, salt, and pepper. Add beef and mix gently just until combined.
- Pat into an even layer in the dish. Bake uncovered about 25–35 minutes, or until the center reaches 160°F in several locations. Continue baking as needed to reach temperature.
- Meanwhile, simmer potatoes in water until fork-tender, about 15–20 minutes after simmering begins. Drain well and let excess moisture evaporate briefly.
- Mash with butter, sour cream, ¼ cup warm milk, salt, and pepper. Add more milk only as needed for a thick, spreadable mash. Fold in ½ cup cheddar.
- Carefully spoon or baste pooled fat and liquid from the cooked meat. If using glaze, mix and spread it thinly over the meat.
- Dollop potatoes over the meat and spread gently. Top with remaining 1½ cups cheddar and half the bacon.
- Bake another 15–20 minutes, until the cheese melts and the casserole is hot throughout. Rest 10 minutes. Add remaining bacon and green onions before serving.
Make-ahead: Chilled cooked components need a longer covered reheating stage; heat the assembled casserole to 165°F throughout.
Storage: Refrigerate promptly in shallow containers and use within 3–4 days. Reheat leftovers to 165°F. Freeze portions for up to 2 months for best quality.
Estimated nutrition: About 550–680 calories per serving at eight servings, before optional glaze and serving toppings.
Development note: Suggested formula developed from the title; not kitchen-tested. Use temperature and texture cues to adjust timing.