Description
Hearty cowboy meatloaf and potato casserole brings rustic ranch flavors to your dinner table with bold southwestern spices. Comfort meets boldness in this one-dish meal that satisfies hunger and delivers rich, savory goodness you’ll crave again.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 1.5 pounds (680 grams) ground beef, 85/15
- 1/2 cup bacon bits, cooked and crumbled
Vegetables and Binding Ingredients:
- 1/4 yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2/3 cup seasoned dry breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
- 2 pounds (907 grams) potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
Dairy and Seasoning:
- 1/3 cup whole milk
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Heat oven to 375°F, preparing a 9×9 inch baking dish for the hearty cowboy-style casserole.
- Gently mix ground beef with finely chopped onions, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, salt, and pepper until just combined, avoiding overmixing.
- Press meat mixture evenly into the baking dish and bake uncovered for 15 minutes, then carefully drain accumulated fat.
- While meatloaf cooks, place potatoes in a pot, covering with water, and bring to a rapid boil over high heat for approximately 15 minutes until tender.
- Drain potato water completely, then mash with milk, butter, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.
- Spread the velvety mashed potatoes over the partially cooked meatloaf, creating an even layer.
- Generously sprinkle shredded cheese and crumbled bacon across the potato surface.
- Return casserole to oven, baking an additional 15 minutes until bacon turns crisp, cheese melts thoroughly, and potato edges develop a golden-brown crispness.
Notes
- Drain excess fat thoroughly to prevent a greasy texture and ensure a crisp top layer.
- Opt for lean ground beef (90/10) to reduce fat content while maintaining rich flavor.
- Customize the meatloaf by adding diced jalapeños or green chiles for a spicy southwestern twist.
- Make this dish gluten-free by substituting breadcrumbs with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 820 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 980 mg
- Fat: 52 g
- Saturated Fat: 24 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 26 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 44 g
- Cholesterol: 160 mg