Description

If you’re craving a down-home, hearty dish packed with bold flavor and serious comfort, this Cowboy Meatloaf and Potato Casserole is exactly what you need. This easy recipe combines juicy, savory meatloaf with creamy mashed potatoes, melted cheese, and a sweet drizzle of barbecue sauce—perfect for quick dinners, comfort food nights, or new dinner ideas for picky eaters. The textures and flavors make every bite rich, warm, and totally satisfying. Whether you need a quick weeknight meal or something that screams “cozy family dinner,” this dish has your back. With classic ingredients and cowboy-inspired flavor, it’s a dinner idea that’s both nostalgic and crave-worthy.

Ingredients

For the Meatloaf Layer:

1 ½ lbs ground beef

1 small onion, finely chopped

1 egg

¾ cup breadcrumbs

½ cup barbecue sauce, divided

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp smoked paprika

Salt and pepper to taste

For the Potato Layer:

4 cups mashed potatoes (prepared or instant)

½ cup sour cream

½ cup shredded cheddar cheese

¼ cup milk

2 tbsp butter

Salt and pepper to taste

Toppings:

½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Barbecue sauce for drizzle

Chopped parsley (optional)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a large bowl, mix ground beef, onion, egg, breadcrumbs, ¼ cup BBQ sauce, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
Press the mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
Bake for 20–25 minutes.
In a bowl, combine mashed potatoes, sour cream, cheddar cheese, milk, butter, salt, and pepper.
Remove meatloaf from oven and spread potato mixture over the top.
Sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top and drizzle remaining BBQ sauce.
Return to oven and bake for 15–20 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
Let rest 5–10 minutes before serving. Garnish with parsley if desired.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
Category: Dinner