“I combined two comfort food favorites—and now this is the only casserole my family wants”

I was staring at a pound of ground beef and some leftover mashed potatoes, wondering how I was going to make it stretch into a dinner that felt like more than just scraps from the fridge. That’s when it hit me—why not mash up meatloaf and loaded mashed potatoes into one big, cozy casserole?

Best. Decision. Ever.

This Loaded Mashed Potato Meatloaf Casserole is now in heavy rotation at our house. It’s hearty, cheesy, and tastes like the best parts of Sunday dinner, all in one dish. Even better? It’s made almost entirely with pantry staples and fridge odds and ends. Real food, real fast, real budget-friendly.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

• It’s basically two comfort foods in one dish
• Super frugal—you probably already have most of the ingredients
• Feeds a hungry crowd or makes dreamy leftovers
• The oven does most of the work while you sit down (yes, really!)

Ingredients:

Meatloaf Base:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (or crushed crackers)
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• Salt + pepper

Mashed Potato Topping:

• 3 cups mashed potatoes (leftover or fresh)
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup milk
• 2 tbsp butter
• Salt + pepper

Loaded Topping:

• 1/2 cup cheddar cheese
• 4 slices bacon, crumbled (or bacon bits)
• 2 tbsp chopped green onions (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F and grease a baking dish.
2. Mix all the meatloaf base ingredients and press into the bottom of the dish.
3. In a separate bowl, stir together mashed potatoes, cheese, milk, butter, salt, and pepper.
4. Spread mashed potato mixture over the meatloaf layer.
5. Top with more cheese, bacon, and green onions.
6. Bake for 30–35 minutes until the meat is fully cooked and the top is golden and bubbly.
7. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Real Mom Tip:

If you’re using instant potatoes, just thicken them a bit with extra cheese so they hold up as a topping.

Budget Breakdown:

• Ground beef: ~$4
• Potatoes: ~$1
• Cheese: ~$2
• Bacon (or bits): ~$1
• Total: ~$8 for 6 servings = $1.33/serving

Make It Your Own:

• Use turkey instead of beef
• Add chopped spinach or peas under the potatoes for sneaky veggies
• Skip bacon to save even more (or use whatever’s in the freezer)

I served this with some frozen green beans I sautéed in garlic butter—no complaints, not a scrap left. Even my “I-don’t-like-mashed-potatoes” child went back for seconds.

When the whole house smells like cozy, cheesy comfort… you know you’ve got a keeper.

Loaded Mashed Potato Meatloaf Casserole (Budget-Friendly Version)

Serves: 6
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30–35 minutes

Ingredients:

For the Meatloaf Base:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (or crushed crackers)
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Mashed Potato Topping:

• 3 cups mashed potatoes (use leftover or make fresh from 3–4 medium potatoes)
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup milk
• 2 tbsp butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Loaded Topping:

• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar (for topping)
• 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled (or use bacon bits)
• 2 tbsp chopped green onions (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a baking dish.
2. In a large bowl, mix all meatloaf ingredients. Press evenly into the bottom of the baking dish.
3. In another bowl, mix mashed potatoes with cheese, milk, butter, salt, and pepper until smooth and spreadable.
4. Spread mashed potato mixture evenly over the raw meatloaf base.
5. Sprinkle top with extra cheddar cheese, bacon, and green onions.
6. Bake uncovered for 30–35 minutes, or until meat is cooked through and cheese is melty.
7. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.