Cowboy Meatloaf and Potato Casserole

Cowboy Meatloaf and Potato Casserole is a hearty, satisfying meal that combines two comfort food classics in one dish. The meatloaf is packed with bold flavors, while the potato casserole is creamy, cheesy, and a perfect side. Here’s a recipe to make this delicious combination:

Cowboy Meatloaf

This version of meatloaf is loaded with barbecue sauce, bacon, and a bit of spice—just like something a cowboy would love!

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 lbs (680g) ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)

• 1/2 lb (225g) bacon, chopped

• 1 medium onion, finely chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs

• 1/4 cup milk

• 1 egg

• 1/4 cup BBQ sauce (plus more for topping)

• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

• 1 teaspoon chili powder (optional for a little heat)

• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

• Salt and pepper, to taste

• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional, for extra richness)

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

2. Cook the Bacon: In a skillet, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove from the skillet and set aside, leaving a little bacon fat in the pan.

3. Sauté the Onion and Garlic: In the same skillet, sauté the onion and garlic in the bacon fat until soft and fragrant (about 3-4 minutes). Let it cool slightly.

4. Mix the Meatloaf Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, cooked bacon, sautéed onion and garlic, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, BBQ sauce, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix everything together until just combined—don’t overwork the meat.

5. Shape and Bake: Transfer the meat mixture to the prepared loaf pan and shape it into a loaf. Bake for about 45-55 minutes or until the meatloaf reaches an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).

6. Add BBQ Sauce and Cheese: If you like, top the meatloaf with a little extra BBQ sauce and shredded cheese about 5-10 minutes before it finishes baking. Return it to the oven and bake until the cheese melts and bubbles.

7. Let It Rest: Once cooked, remove the meatloaf from the oven and let it rest for about 10 minutes before slicing. This helps it hold its shape and makes slicing easier.

Potato Casserole

This creamy, cheesy potato casserole is a perfect complement to the bold flavors of the cowboy meatloaf!

Ingredients:

• 4-5 medium potatoes, peeled and sliced thinly

• 1 cup sour cream

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise

• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 1/2 cup cooked bacon, crumbled

• 1 small onion, finely chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

• Salt and pepper, to taste

• 2 tablespoons butter (for greasing)

• Chopped green onions (optional, for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter.

2. Sauté Onion and Garlic: In a small skillet, sauté the chopped onion and garlic in a little bit of oil or butter until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Set aside.

3. Prepare the Casserole Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the sour cream, mayonnaise, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, grated Parmesan, crumbled bacon, and sautéed onion and garlic.

4. Assemble the Casserole: Layer the sliced potatoes evenly in the bottom of the greased baking dish. Pour the creamy mixture over the potatoes, spreading it out evenly.

5. Bake: Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender. After that, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly.

6. Garnish and Serve: Once done, remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped green onions for a fresh, zesty touch.

Serving Suggestion:

• Serve the cowboy meatloaf with the creamy potato casserole and a side of steamed vegetables or a simple salad to balance the richness of the dish.

• You can also drizzle more BBQ sauce on top of the meatloaf before serving or serve it on the side for extra flavor.

This meal is definitely filling and loaded with comfort! Let me know how it goes if you give it a try or if you want any variations to the recipe.