Description
Hearty cowboy meatloaf and potato casserole brings rustic ranch-style comfort straight to dinner tables with bold southwestern flavors. Meat-packed layers meld perfectly, delivering a satisfying meal that connects families around one delicious skillet of home-style goodness.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
- 4 large potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) shredded cheddar cheese
Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup (120 grams) breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) ketchup
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish:
- Chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare a rustic casserole that combines robust ground beef with layered potatoes, creating a hearty one-dish meal perfect for family dinners.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish to ensure easy serving and cleanup.
- In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly blend ground beef with finely chopped onions, minced garlic, breadcrumbs, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, salt, and pepper until the mixture is uniformly combined.
- Carefully transfer the meat mixture into the prepared baking dish, forming a compact rectangular loaf positioned centrally within the pan.
- Create an elegant potato layer by arranging thinly sliced potatoes around the meatloaf, slightly overlapping each slice to form an attractive, even coverage.
- Generously season the potato layer with salt and pepper, ensuring balanced flavor throughout the dish.
- Cover the entire casserole with aluminum foil, then bake for 45 minutes, allowing the meat to cook thoroughly and potatoes to become tender.
- Remove the foil and generously sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese across the top of the meatloaf and potato layers, creating a golden, melty topping.
- Return the uncovered casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes until the cheese becomes perfectly melted and slightly crispy.
- Allow the casserole to rest for a few minutes after removing from the oven, which helps the dish set and makes slicing easier.
- Optional: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley to add a bright, fresh element to the rich, comforting dish.
- For added versatility, consider incorporating diced jalapeños or mixed vegetables into the recipe to customize the flavor profile.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container and consume within 3 days, reheating thoroughly before serving.
Notes
- Opt for lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and create a healthier version of this classic comfort dish.
- Layer potato slices uniformly to ensure even cooking and a consistent texture throughout the casserole.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties like smoked gouda or pepper jack for a unique flavor profile that can transform the traditional recipe.
- Prepare the meatloaf mixture ahead of time and refrigerate for enhanced flavor development, allowing ingredients to meld together more effectively.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 405
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 570 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg