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Cheesy Loaded Meatloaf Casserole: The Easy Weeknight Dinner

Close-up of a thick slice of meatloaf casserole topped with melted cheddar cheese and fresh chives.
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Make this Cheesy Loaded Meatloaf Casserole for a hearty, family-favorite dinner. This recipe simplifies classic meatloaf into a quick, one-pan bake that works well for busy weeknights or meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs ground beef
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
  • 1 (10.5 ounce) can cream of mushroom soup
  • 1/2 cup beef broth
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh chives, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, chopped onion, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix gently with your hands until just combined. Do not overmix.
  3. Press the meat mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. This forms your meatloaf base.
  4. Sprinkle 1/2 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the meat layer.
  5. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup, beef broth, and sour cream until smooth. This is your creamy topping.
  6. Pour the soup mixture over the cheese layer, spreading it to cover the meat completely.
  7. Bake for 35 minutes.
  8. Remove the casserole from the oven. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese over the top.
  9. Return to the oven and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the meat is cooked through (internal temperature reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit).
  10. Let the meatloaf casserole rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh chives before serving.

Notes

  • For a loaded potato variation, substitute the cream of mushroom soup mixture with 2 cups of prepared mashed potatoes mixed with the soup base, then top with bacon bits before the final cheese layer.
  • You can prepare the meat mixture and place it in the dish a day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Add 10 minutes to the initial bake time if baking straight from the refrigerator.
  • This makes a great meal prep dinner idea; divide cooled leftovers into airtight containers for later.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://kitchenslang.com/meatloaf-casserole-easy-weeknight-dinner/