Description
Hearty cowboy meatloaf and potato casserole brings rustic western charm to dinner tables with bold, comforting flavors. Layers of seasoned ground beef, creamy potatoes, and melted cheese create a satisfying meal that connects families around one delicious dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 1 ½ pounds (680 grams) lean ground beef
- 1 large egg
Seasonings and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 cup finely chopped onion
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup barbecue sauce (plus more for topping)
Binding and Topping Ingredients:
- ½ cup plain bread crumbs
- 3 cups mashed potatoes (prepared ahead or instant)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup crispy fried onions (like French’s)
Instructions
- Combine ground beef with diced onions, bread crumbs, barbecue sauce, egg, and seasonings in a large mixing bowl, thoroughly blending all ingredients until a uniform texture is achieved.
- Transfer the meat mixture into a 9×9-inch baking dish, pressing it evenly across the bottom to create a compact layer.
- Drizzle an additional layer of barbecue sauce over the meat mixture for enhanced flavor.
- Place the dish in a preheated oven at 375F (190C) and bake for 25 minutes, allowing the meat to cook through and develop a rich, savory base.
- Carefully remove the dish from the oven and spread a smooth, even layer of creamy mashed potatoes directly over the cooked meatloaf.
- Generously sprinkle shredded cheese across the potato layer, ensuring complete coverage.
- Return the casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes until the cheese melts completely and becomes golden and bubbly.
- Garnish the top with crispy fried onions, providing a crunchy texture and additional flavor dimension.
- Bake for a final 5 minutes to crisp the onion topping and meld all flavors together.
- Allow the casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving, which helps the layers set and makes cutting easier.
Notes
- Customize the meat mixture by swapping ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based alternatives for a lighter, healthier version.
- Amp up flavor complexity by mixing different types of barbecue sauce or adding smoky chipotle peppers to the meat blend.
- Make the dish gluten-free by using gluten-free breadcrumbs and checking the barbecue sauce ingredients for hidden gluten sources.
- Reduce cooking time and maintain moisture by covering the casserole with foil during initial baking stages to prevent the meat from drying out.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 100 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg