Cowboy Meatloaf and Potato Casserole

No matter how hungry you are, this meaty cowboy meatloaf and potato casserole with bacon and cheese is sure to make your tastebuds and tummy happy!

Also try cowboy sliders with onion rings, cowboy soup, hamburger soup or cowboy beans. And hamburger steak and gravy too, another classic!

Why You’ll Love It

Makes a tasty change: No matter how much you love your usual meatloaf recipe, it’s fun to change things up, and this meatloaf potato casserole is deliciously different.
A hearty dinner to please everyone: The combination of beef, cheese, potatoes, and more ensures this satisfying meal won’t leave anyone hungry.
So easy to prepare: This is a simple dish to make. You just need to assemble the meatloaf, mash some potatoes, and combine top with cheese, onion and bacon, and bake until done.

Cowboy Meatloaf Casserole Ingredients

A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

Ground beef: Use any kind you want, perhaps ground chuck or ground sirloin. If you’re not using lean ground beef, you might want to drain off the excess grease after browning it.
Potatoes: Good potatoes for mashing include Yukon Gold, Idaho and Russet.
Mexican blend cheese: You can use another kind of cheese if you prefer.
Butter: For making the mashed potatoes creamy. You can substitute sour cream if you want.
Evaporated milk: For mashing the potatoes. You can sub regular milk for a slightly less rich result.
Onions: Fresh onion goes into the meatloaf and the casserole is topped with crunchy fried onions.
Seasonings: Chili powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper add aromatic flavors to the casserole.
BBQ sauce: Use any brand you prefer, whether it’s sweet, savory, spicy, or smoky.

How to Make a Cowboy Casserole

For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card

Preheat the oven: Heat the oven to 350°F.
Make the meatloaf: Combine the beef, chopped onion, bread crumbs, barbecue sauce, egg, chili powder, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Press the mixture into a cooking spray greased baking dish and bake uncovered for 30 minutes.
Make the mashed potato: Boil the potatoes until soft, then drain and mix with the milk, butter, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Taste and add more salt if needed.
Assemble the casserole: Spread the mashed potatoes over the meat mixture and sprinkle with fried onions, cheese and bacon.
Cook the casserole: Bake in the oven for 10 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and melted, then serve hot. You can broil it if it’s not bubbly enough on top.

Substitutions and Variations

Gluten-free option: If you want a gluten-free version, use gluten-free bread crumbs.
Another cheese: Cheddar cheese would be good in place of the Mexican blend cheese.
Optional seasonings: You can swap the chili powder for cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes, add a dash of Worcestershire sauce, or add any other seasonings you want.
Instant mashed potatoes: If you’re in a hurry, you can use these rather than making your own.

Serving Suggestions

Appetizers: Get your tastebuds fired up for a feast with chips and homemade hot salsa or jalapeno popper rolls.
Side dishes: Team your cooked cowboy meatloaf and potato casserole with skillet cornbread or some smoked asparagus. Roasted veggies are good too.
And for dessert: Say howdy to this delicious berry parfait if you have any room left for dessert!

How to Store Cowboy Meatloaf Casserole

Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and eat within 4 days.
Freeze: Freeze it in portions for up to 3 months.
Thaw: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Reheat: A microwave is the best way to reheat the casserole.