Is meatloaf a weeknight or budget meal? Do you serve it when company’s coming? Our ‘Company’s Coming Meatloaf’ is easy enough to make during the week and special enough for a nice meal too. I happen to think that guests are pleasantly surprised to be served a beloved dessert like ice cream sundaes or a comfort food such as spaghetti, macaroni and cheese or… meatloaf. Dinner guests are expecting a fancy meal and instead you serve them the unexpected! Company’s Coming Meatloaf is a meat and potato lovers dream, it looks pretty and tastes amazing! Here’s how you make Company’s Coming Meatloaf:
Company’s Coming Meatloaf
This deeply savory meatloaf frosted with mashed potatoes and melted with sharp cheddar is easy for everyday meals, pretty enough for guests!
- 1 1/2 Pounds Lean Ground Beef (80% lean)
- 1 Cup Sweet Onion (Finely Diced)
- 1 Cup Celery (Finely Diced)
- 1 Cup Mushrooms (Diced (plus more for topping))
- 1 1/2 Cup Bread Crumbs (Crushed Garlic Bread crumbs if available )
- 2 Large Eggs (Lightly whisked)
- 1/4 Cup Ketchup
- 1/2 Teaspoon Ground Thyme
- 1/4 Teaspoon Ground Sage
- Salt and Pepper
- 4 Cups Mashed Potatoes (Thick in texture)
- 2 Cups Sharp Cheddar Cheese (Finely grated)
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Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line baking pan with parchment paper. In a large mixing bowl, place lean ground beef and the next 8 ingredients. Add salt and pepper, then combine, mixing llightly. Shape into a 2 inch thick rectangular shape on baking pan. Cover meatloaf with bacon slices. Bake at 375 degrees for up to 1 1/2 hours – checking after 1 hour, then fifteen minutes until bacon is done. Remove from oven to rest, scraping up meat juices from baking sheet. When meatloaf has cooled, Frost with mashed potatoes and top with finely grated sharp cheddar cheese. Run back in 375 degree oven until potatoes are heated through and cheese has melted. (Potatoes May spread, when done – simply allow to cool a bit and smooth into a pleasing shape. Decorate with reserved and sliced mushrooms – and either parsley or fresh sage leaves if available. When meatloaf has cooled down, with a long spatula you may remove to a serving platter with a long meat spatula or…decorate the rest of the baking sheet with garnishes.
Make mashed potatoes as you normally would- making sure they are firm. Also, a great use for leftover mashed potatoes. It is desirable to add garlic powder to mashed potatoes. This meatloaf doesn’t require sautéing onions, celery and mushrooms since they are diced finely. If you use a baking pan that is of a smaller size such as a jelly roll pan- it will serve beautifully. Surround with a cooked green vegetable Great meatloaf for the meat and potatoes crowd!
I believe wrapping the ground beef mixture with bacon before baking the meatloaf, adds moisture and flavor that elevates weekday meatloaf whenever you serve it! Forming the meatloaf on parchment rather than baking in a loaf pan allows any excess beef or bacon fat to dissipate. Allow Company’s Coming Meatloaf to rest for 8-10 minutes before frosting with mashed potatoes so that any juices will be reabsorbed into the meatloaf. Top with shredded cheddar cheese and run back in the warm oven to melt– then add sautéed mushrooms if desired for decoration. 
Alongside a simply dressed green salad and a good yeast bread, corn muffins or even biscuits, Company’s Coming Meatloaf is a welcome sight here at the Cottage any time! I hope you will enjoy it as much as we do!
Love y’all,
Camellia * All photographs are obviously mine.
Camellia's Cottage 
That looks damn good.
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😀😆😀
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I love meatloaf. When I used to have to prepare dinner once a week for the family, that was my go-to meal. This looks delicious. I never thought of meatloaf as a particularly southern dish. Just goes to show, you never an tell.
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I’m not really sure how southern it is- however beef cattle are raised in every single county of Alabama! And you’ve gotta believe meatloaf was regularly on the menu! I love the classic but have to admit – this version using potatoes might be my favorite! Thank you! And great to hear from you! ❤️
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Have you ever tried bison meatloaf? It’s an interesting twist. Thanks for saying you like my comments. 🙂
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I have had bison on several occasions! I had the burger! I’ll bet meatloaf would be interesting! 🌺
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Lucky them! 😍
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Yes ma’am! Thanks Gail! 🌸💕🌸
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