Description
This Loaded Mashed Potato and Meatball Casserole is a comforting and hearty dish perfect for family dinners. Creamy mashed potatoes are layered with savory meatballs, melted cheddar cheese, and crispy bacon, then baked to bubbly perfection. Topped with fresh green onions and optional extras like ranch drizzle or parsley, this casserole combines all your favorite flavors in one easy-to-make, crowd-pleasing meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Mashed Potato Base
- 4 cups mashed potatoes (homemade or store-bought)
- ¼ cup milk (optional, to loosen potatoes)
- ½ cup sour cream
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Meatball Layer
- 1 bag (24 oz / ~680g) frozen fully cooked meatballs, thawed
Toppings
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup cooked and crumbled bacon
- ¼ cup chopped green onions or chives
- Optional: extra cheese, parsley, or ranch drizzle for topping
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish to prepare it for layering the casserole ingredients.
- Prepare the mashed potatoes: Warm the mashed potatoes if they’re cold, mixing in the milk to loosen the texture and stir in the sour cream. Season with salt and pepper to taste to enhance the flavor.
- Layer the potatoes: Spread the prepared mashed potatoes evenly across the bottom of the casserole dish, creating a smooth base layer.
- Add the meatballs: Arrange the thawed meatballs in a single layer over the mashed potatoes, ensuring even coverage for consistent flavor in every bite.
- Apply cheese and bacon toppings: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the meatballs, then add the cooked and crumbled bacon on top as a savory finishing touch.
- Bake the casserole: Place the dish uncovered into the preheated oven and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and starting to brown slightly.
- Garnish and serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle with chopped green onions or parsley. Add optional extra toppings like ranch drizzle if desired. Serve warm to enjoy the comforting layers.
Notes
- You can use either homemade or store-bought mashed potatoes depending on convenience and preference.
- Milk is optional and used only if you want to loosen the mashed potatoes for easier spreading.
- Feel free to customize the toppings with extra cheese, ranch dressing, or fresh parsley for added flavor.
- Ensure meatballs are fully thawed before assembling the casserole for even heating.
- This casserole can be assembled ahead of time and baked just before serving.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated, maintaining a creamy and hearty texture.
