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Cozy Meatloaf Recipe with Mashed Potatoes and Cheese Delight Made Easy

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A warm, hearty, and satisfying meatloaf paired with creamy, cheesy mashed potatoes that make for the ultimate comfort food perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (preferably 80/20 for best juiciness)
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (plain or Italian seasoned)
  • 1/3 cup milk (whole or 2% for moisture)
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme or Italian seasoning
  • Optional: 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
  • 4 medium russet potatoes (about 2 lbs), peeled and cubed
  • 1/2 cup whole milk or heavy cream
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: a pinch of garlic powder or chopped chives

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Peel and cube the potatoes into roughly 1-inch pieces. Place them in a medium pot and cover with cold water. Add a pinch of salt and bring to a boil over high heat.
  3. Once boiling, reduce heat to medium and simmer for 15-20 minutes until potatoes are fork-tender. Drain well and return to pot.
  4. Add softened butter and warm milk or cream to the potatoes. Mash with a potato masher or beat with a hand mixer until smooth and creamy. Stir in shredded cheese until melted and well combined. Season with salt, pepper, and optional garlic powder or chives. Cover and set aside or keep warm.
  5. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, chopped onion, garlic, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, thyme, and paprika if using. Mix gently until just combined.
  6. Transfer the mixture into your loaf pan or shape into a loaf on a rimmed baking sheet. Smooth the top with a spatula or wet hands.
  7. Place the meatloaf in the preheated oven and bake for about 55-60 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C). If the top starts to brown too quickly, cover loosely with foil.
  8. Once baked, remove from oven and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
  9. Serve thick slices of meatloaf alongside a generous scoop of the cheesy mashed potatoes. Garnish with fresh parsley or extra chives if desired.

Notes

Mix meatloaf ingredients gently to avoid toughness. Use room temperature eggs and milk for better texture. Rest meatloaf 10 minutes before slicing to keep it juicy. For a glaze, spread ketchup mixed with brown sugar on top before baking. Mashed potatoes can be made extra creamy by adding cream cheese or sour cream. Leftovers store well in the fridge for up to 3 days and freeze for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: meatloaf, mashed potatoes, cheesy mashed potatoes, comfort food, easy dinner, weeknight meal, ground beef recipe, cozy meal

Find it online: https://emacrave.com/cozy-meatloaf-recipe-with-mashed-potatoes-and-cheese-delight-made-easy/