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A comforting and cheesy baked meatloaf casserole that’s easy to prepare and perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings. It features a tender ground beef mixture loaded with shredded cheddar cheese inside and topped with a bubbly, golden cheese crust.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds ground beef
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (for mixing)
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup chopped onion
  • 2 eggs
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 cup additional shredded cheddar cheese (for topping)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish or loaf pan.
  3. If using panko breadcrumbs, soak them briefly in milk.
  4. Bring eggs to room temperature (optional for even mixing).
  5. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, shredded cheddar cheese, milk, ketchup, chopped onion, eggs, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
  6. Mix gently by hand or with a spatula until just combined and tacky, not wet.
  7. Transfer mixture to the prepared dish and form into a compact loaf or spread evenly for a casserole, smoothing the top; optionally brush the top with extra ketchup.
  8. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, until edges pull back and internal temperature reaches about 155–160°F.
  9. Remove from the oven and sprinkle the reserved cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
  10. Return to oven and bake additional 10–15 minutes until the cheese melts, bubbles, and begins to brown; optionally broil 1–2 minutes to brown the top, watching closely.
  11. Let rest about 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure internal temperature reaches 160°F for safe consumption., Avoid overmixing to keep meatloaf tender and prevent dryness., Leftovers can be refrigerated for 3–4 days or frozen up to 3 months; reheat slices covered with foil at 350°F to keep moist., For a keto-friendly version, replace breadcrumbs with almond flour and use sugar-free ketchup or tomato paste., Optional add-ins: grated carrots, zucchini (squeezed of moisture), chopped mushrooms (adjust breadcrumbs as needed)., Can bake individual portions in muffin tins at 350°F for 25–30 minutes, adding cheese on top for the last 5–7 minutes., Swap ketchup topping for a glaze made of ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard for a sweet sticky finish.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookerygood.com/cheesy-meatloaf-casserole/