Savory Cowboy Meatloaf & Potato Casserole Recipe for Comfort

Crafting a hearty cowboy meatloaf and potato casserole brings rustic comfort right to your dinner table.

Layers of savory ground beef blend seamlessly with creamy potatoes and robust seasonings.

Hearty ingredients promise a meal that satisfies deep hunger pangs.

Ranch-style spices add a southwestern twist to this classic dish.

Families gather around, anticipating rich flavors and warm aromas wafting through the kitchen.

Crispy edges and tender center make each bite a delightful experience.

Reasons to Love Cowboy Meatloaf and Potato Casserole

• Comfort in a Casserole: Delivers pure comfort food satisfaction with a hearty combination of meatloaf and potatoes in one delicious dish.
• Crowd-Pleasing Performance: Perfect for family dinners where everyone craves a filling, protein-packed meal that satisfies different taste preferences.
• Budget-Friendly Feast: Uses affordable ingredients like ground beef, potatoes, and pantry staples to create a substantial meal without breaking the bank.
• Simple One-Pan Wonder: Minimizes kitchen cleanup by combining protein and side dish in a single baking dish, making meal preparation and post-dinner cleanup a breeze.

Ingredients for Cowboy Meatloaf and Potato Casserole

• Ground Beef: A classic protein that provides rich flavor and hearty texture for the meatloaf.

• Breadcrumbs, Egg, Milk: These ingredients help bind the meatloaf together and keep it moist and cohesive.

• Onion, Garlic: Fresh aromatics that add depth and savory notes to the meatloaf mixture.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall taste of the dish.
• Ketchup, Worcestershire Sauce: Tangy condiments that provide a sweet and umami flavor profile.

• Potatoes: Sliced potatoes create a hearty base for the casserole and add substantial texture.
• Onion: Adds a subtle sweetness and complexity to the potato layer.

• Cream of Mushroom Soup, Milk: Create a rich and creamy sauce that binds the potato layers.

• Cheddar Cheese: Provides a sharp, melty topping that adds richness and golden color.
• Butter: Helps create a crispy, golden surface when drizzled on top.

How to Make Cowboy Meatloaf and Potato Casserole

Step 1: Mix Meatloaf Base

In a spacious mixing bowl, blend together ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, salt, pepper, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce. Work the ingredients thoroughly with your hands until everything is well combined.

Shape the mixture into a rustic loaf with gentle hands.

Step 2: Prepare Potato Layer

• Thinly sliced potatoes
• Sliced onion
• Half of the shredded cheddar cheese
• Cream of mushroom soup
• Milk
• Salt
• Pepper

Stir the ingredients until potatoes are evenly coated with the creamy mixture.

Step 3: Build the Casserole

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread the potato mixture across the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.

Carefully place the prepared meatloaf on top of the potato layer. Drizzle extra ketchup over the meatloaf for added flavor.

Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese across the potatoes. Finish by drizzling melted butter over the entire dish.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake for 1 hour. The potatoes should become tender, and the meatloaf should cook completely through.

During the final 15 minutes, remove the foil to allow the cheese to brown and become deliciously crispy.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Allow the casserole to rest for a few minutes after removing from the oven.

Slice and serve alongside a crisp green salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal that screams comfort food.

Tips for Perfect Cowboy Meatloaf Casserole

• Add a dash of smoked paprika or barbecue seasoning to the ground beef for deeper, richer cowboy-style taste.
• Mix in an extra splash of milk or use a combination of ground beef and ground pork to keep the meat moist and tender.
• Par-boil potato slices for 5 minutes before assembling the casserole to ensure they cook evenly and become perfectly creamy.
• Swap cheddar with a smoky gouda or pepper jack cheese to add an unexpected flavor twist to the classic casserole.
• Assemble the entire dish the night before, cover, and refrigerate, then bake directly from the cold state, adding 10-15 minutes to cooking time.

Variations on Cowboy Meatloaf and Potato Casserole

• Southwestern Spice: Add diced green chiles, cumin, and chili powder to the meatloaf mixture. Top with pepper jack cheese for a zesty kick.
• Mediterranean Herb: Incorporate dried oregano, fresh parsley, and crumbled feta cheese into the meatloaf. Replace cream of mushroom soup with Greek yogurt for a tangy flavor.
• BBQ Ranch: Mix ranch seasoning into the ground beef and brush with smoky BBQ sauce instead of ketchup. Sprinkle crispy bacon bits over the top before serving.
• Green Chile Comfort: Blend roasted green chiles into the potato layer and mix chopped cilantro into the meatloaf. Use monterey jack cheese for a creamy southwestern touch.

Pairings with Cowboy Meatloaf Casserole

• Pair with Robust Red Wine: Select a bold Cabernet Sauvignon or Zinfandel to complement the rich, meaty flavors of the casserole, cutting through the hearty texture and enhancing the overall dining experience.
• Serve with Crisp Green Salad: Toss a light, tangy salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and a zesty vinaigrette to balance the heavy, savory notes of the meatloaf and potatoes.
• Recommend Craft Beer Pairing: Choose a hoppy IPA or amber ale to match the robust flavors, providing a refreshing contrast and highlighting the dish's rustic, comfort food profile.

Storing Cowboy Meatloaf and Potato Casserole

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Ensure the container is shallow to help cool the casserole quickly.
• Wrap the cooled casserole in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Place in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2-3 months. Label with the date for easy tracking.
• Preheat oven to 350F. Remove from refrigerator and let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes. Cover with foil to prevent drying out. Warm for 20-25 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165F. Uncover last 5 minutes for crispy cheese topping.

FAQs

• Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Absolutely! Ground turkey works great and makes the dish leaner while maintaining the same delicious flavor profile.

• How do I know the meatloaf is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer and check that the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C) to ensure it’s safely cooked through.

• Is this recipe freezer-friendly?

Yes, you can freeze the assembled casserole before baking. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, and it will keep for up to 3 months.

• Can I make this dish gluten-free?

Replace regular breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs and use a gluten-free cream of mushroom soup to make the entire recipe gluten-free.

Cowboy Meatloaf & Potato Casserole Recipe

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4.9 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty cowboy meatloaf & potato casserole brings rustic Western comfort to dinner tables with layers of savory ground beef, creamy potatoes, and bold seasonings. Hungry diners will savor each rich, filling bite of this classic American-style one-dish meal.

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Ingredients

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Meat:

• 1.5 pounds (680 grams) ground beef

Binding and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

Potato Casserole Ingredients:

• 2 pounds (907 grams) potatoes, peeled and sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 can (10.75 ounces or 305 grams) condensed cream of mushroom soup
• 1/2 cup milk
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted

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Instructions

1. Blend ground beef with breadcrumbs, egg, milk, diced onion, crushed garlic, salt, pepper, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce in a mixing bowl until thoroughly combined. Form the mixture into a compact loaf shape.
2. Create potato layer by combining sliced potatoes, thinly sliced onions, half the cheddar cheese, cream of mushroom soup, milk, salt, and pepper in a separate container.
3. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread potato mixture evenly across a 9×13 inch baking dish, creating a uniform base.
4. Carefully position the prepared meatloaf atop the potato layer, ensuring even placement.
5. Generously drizzle additional ketchup over the meatloaf surface for extra flavor.
6. Sprinkle remaining cheddar cheese across the potato sections and drizzle melted butter over the entire casserole.
7. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 60 minutes, or until potatoes become tender and meatloaf reaches proper internal temperature.
8. Remove foil during the final 15 minutes of cooking to allow cheese to golden and crisp.
9. Allow casserole to rest for 10 minutes after removing from oven, enabling flavors to settle and making serving easier.
10. Slice and serve with complementary green salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.

Notes

• Choose lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and create a healthier meatloaf base.
• Substitute breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour for those with gluten sensitivities.
• For a lower-sodium version, use low-sodium cream of mushroom soup and reduce added salt.
• Test meatloaf doneness with a meat thermometer, ensuring internal temperature reaches 160°F for food safety.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 650 kcal
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 720 mg
• Fat: 40 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 38 g
• Cholesterol: 140 mg