Description
A hearty casserole that combines juicy meatloaf, crispy golden tater tots, and melted cheddar cheese into one comforting, family-friendly dish. Perfect for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or meal prep.
Ingredients
For the Meatloaf Base:
1 ½ pounds ground beef (80/20 for juiciness)
1 cup breadcrumbs (plain or Italian style)
½ cup milk
1 large egg
½ cup onion, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon dried thyme
For the Topping:
1 (32-ounce) bag frozen tater tots
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (mild or sharp)
½ cup ketchup
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon mustard (yellow or Dijon)
Optional garnish: parsley or sliced green onions
Instructions
Preheat Oven: Heat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish.
Make Meatloaf Mixture: In a large bowl, combine beef, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, onion, garlic, salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, and thyme. Mix gently until combined.
Form Base Layer: Press mixture evenly into the prepared dish.
Make Sauce: Mix ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard in a small bowl. Spread evenly over the meatloaf.
Add Tater Tots: Arrange frozen tater tots in a single layer on top.
Bake: Place in oven uncovered. Bake 40–45 minutes until meat reaches 160°F (71°C) and tots are golden.
Add Cheese: Sprinkle cheddar evenly. Bake another 5–7 minutes until melted and bubbly.
Rest & Serve: Let rest 5 minutes. Garnish with parsley or green onions.
Notes
Avoid overmixing meatloaf mixture to keep it tender.
Bake uncovered for crispy tots.
Use fresh grated cheese for better melting.
Rest before cutting so layers hold together.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking / Casserole
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (about 1/6 of casserole)
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 980 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 125 mg
Keywords: cheesy meatloaf and tater tot bake, meatloaf tater tot casserole, cheesy tater tot bake, beef casserole recipe, comfort food dinner