A hearty comfort food classic with a twist — this baked meatloaf is topped with creamy mashed potatoes and golden melted cheddar. It’s the ultimate one-dish meal perfect for weeknights or cozy family dinners.
🕒 Quick Look
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 6
Difficulty: Easy
🛒 Ingredients
For the Meatloaf:
1½ lbs ground beef
1 tbsp olive oil
3 tsp garlic, freshly minced
1 yellow onion, diced
¼ cup tomato sauce
¾ cup breadcrumbs
1 large egg
¼ cup BBQ sauce
½ cup frozen peas
¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
For the Mashed Potato Topping:
1½ lbs potatoes, peeled and chunked
4 tbsp butter
¼ cup heavy whipping cream
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
🔪 Tools You’ll Need
Large skillet
Large pot
Casserole dish
Mixing bowls
Potato masher or hand mixer
👨🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat and Sauté
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
Add diced onion and sauté until tender, about 3–4 minutes.
Stir in garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds.
Step 2: Mix and Shape Meatloaf
In a large bowl, combine ground beef, sautéed onion and garlic, tomato sauce, breadcrumbs, egg, BBQ sauce, peas, and chopped parsley.
Use your hands to gently mix until well combined—don’t overwork.
Form into a loaf and place in a greased casserole dish.
Step 3: First Bake
Bake meatloaf for 30 minutes.
While baking, prepare the mashed potatoes.
Step 4: Make the Mashed Potatoes
Boil peeled potato chunks in salted water until fork-tender, about 15 minutes.
Drain and return to the pot.
Add butter, heavy cream, salt, and pepper.
Mash until smooth and creamy.
Step 5: Assemble and Final Bake
Remove meatloaf from the oven.
Spread mashed potatoes evenly over the top.
Sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese.
Return to oven and bake an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Step 6: Serve
Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Serve hot with extra parsley for garnish if desired.
💡 Tips & Variations
Shortcut: Use store-bought mashed potatoes if you’re short on time.
Add veggies: Mix in corn or finely chopped spinach with the meatloaf base.
Spice it up: Add a pinch of cayenne or chipotle powder to the mashed potatoes for a kick.
Leftovers: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave.