Loaded Comfort Casserole (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ Layer with Meatloaf

01 - 1 egg, beaten lightly
02 - 1 tablespoon of garlic, minced
03 - ½ cup BBQ sauce
04 - ⅓ cup cottage cheese
05 - ½ cup seasoned breadcrumbs
06 - ½ cup finely chopped onion, white variety
07 - 1 ½ pounds lean ground turkey or beef
08 - 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

→ Mashed Potato Layer

09 - ½ teaspoon of table salt
10 - ½ cup warm half-and-half or milk
11 - ½ cup of sour cream
12 - 1 teaspoon of black pepper, ground
13 - 2 pounds of potatoes, diced and peeled
14 - ½ cup of butter, unsalted

→ Extras on Top

15 - 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
16 - 6 crumbled slices of cooked thick bacon

# Instructions:

01 - Turn on the oven and heat it up to 375°F. Grab a 9x13 baking dish and give it a good spray with nonstick cooking spray.
02 - Take a large mixing bowl and toss in the ground meat, onion, breadcrumbs, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, egg, BBQ sauce, and cottage cheese. Stir it all up until it's mixed together.
03 - Scoop the meat mix into your prepared baking dish. Spread it out evenly, then pop it into the oven for 30 minutes.
04 - At the same time, toss those potato pieces into a pot with water. Cook them on medium heat until they're super soft.
05 - After the potatoes are tender, drain off the water, then add the butter. Mash them until smooth, then stir in the warm milk, sour cream, salt, and pepper.
06 - Once the meatloaf has had 30 minutes in the oven, take it out and carefully drain any extra fat.
07 - Spread the mashed potatoes across the top of the meatloaf. Sprinkle on some shredded cheese next, and finish with crumbled bacon bits.
08 - Slide the casserole back into the oven for another 15 minutes. Make sure the cheese is completely melted and everything is warmed through.
09 - Once it's done baking, pull it from the oven and let it cool a bit before serving.

# Notes:

01 - You can switch out the ground beef for turkey as a lighter option.
02 - This dish can be made in advance and refrigerated until you're ready for the final bake.
03 - Leftover portions keep well in the fridge for up to three days in a sealed container.

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