Epic Meatloaf Stuffed with Mashed Potatoes

When I was a boy, a regular meal at dinnertime was meatloaf. I always loved the flavor, but as a picky kid, I probably spent more time picking out the onions than I did eating my meal. I’m sure it drove my parents crazy, but since I was one of nine kids, no way was I getting a meal specifically made to my liking. So today, I am taking things up a notch and updating this classic, with my Epic Meatloaf Stuffed with Mashed Potatoes.

Stuffed Meatloaf with Mash Potatoes | Real Food by Dad

As I mentioned, I was and still am a big fan of meatloaf, I simply have an aversion to onions in certain dishes. Love the flavor, hate the texture. No idea why but that has always been the case. Growing up, ours was always served with mashed potatoes, and I am sure that ended up being the biggest part of my meal. So I simply changed the recipe a bit and decided to stuff the meatloaf with mashed potatoes. And that onion flavor that I like? I kept it there by using onion and chive cream cheese, mixed in with milk, to soak the bread in it.

Stuffed Meatloaf with Mash Potatoes | Real Food by Dad

But it didn’t end there. That ketchup that I always loved on my meatloaf as a kid? I enhanced that too by adding apricot jam, mixed it in with the meat and smothered all over before tossing it in the oven. This really gives every bite an added burst of sweet flavor that makes it tough to stop eating bite after bite.

Stuffed Meatloaf with Mash Potatoes | Real Food by Dad

The best part of this was the fact that my mom and sister came by today to visit our new baby and loved the meatloaf. I know them so well and would know instantly by the looks on their faces if they liked it or not. And they loved it. Smiles all around.

Yield: 6

Epic Meatloaf Recipe

Stuffed Meatloaf with Mash Potatoes via Real Food by Dad
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour

Ingredients

  • 2 oz. French bread (or 3 slices of bread)
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
  • 4 oz Onion and Chive Cream Cheese
  • 1/3 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup apricot jam
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground mustard
  • 1 lb. 90% lean ground beef
  • 1 1/2 cup mashed potatoes
  • 4 slices extra sharp cheddar cheese

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a bakesheet with foil. Place bread and parmesan in a food processor and pulse until coarsely crumbed; transfer to a bowl. Whisk milk and cream cheese until combined, then pour it over the bread crumbs and stir to combine; set aside. In a separate bowl, combine and thoroughly mix together ketchup and apricot jam. Halve mixture into separate bowls; set aside.
  2. Place egg, salt, pepper, ground mustard in a bowl and beat until combined. Add in half of ketchup mixture and mix to combine. Add in ground beef and mix to combine. Fold in bread mixture and mix to combine (do not over mix).
  3. To assemble: Halve the meat mixture and place one half on the bake sheet. Form into a loaf and create a well with a 1/2 inch wall along the perimeter of loaf. Fill well with mashed potatoes. Place cheddar cheese slices on top. Place remaining meat mixture on top of cheese slices and smooth out to an even finish making sure the center stuffing is fully covered and sealed in. Brush remaining ketchup mixture all over the outside of meat loaf. Bake at 375 degrees for 40-50 minutes. Remove from oven and let rest for 15 minutes prior to slicing.
  4. **Notes** (1) Almost any type of white bread will work, so use what you have on hand. (2) Use plain cream cheese or your preferred flavor.
 

 

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97 comments to " Epic Meatloaf Stuffed with Mashed Potatoes "

  • HalfBakedHarvest

    I had no idea you are one of nine. You have me beat by two siblings! Ha!

    This meatloaf looks awesome. My brothers would love it! Have a great Memorial day!

    • Big families are the best aren’t they? So I’m sure you know what I mean in regards to meals like this. Thanks Tieghan and hope you have a great Memorial Day!

  • This is like the best meatloaf ever! Meatloaf stuffed with cheese and mashed potatoes IS epic! Great recipe, Matt!

  • Mike @TheIronYou

    This is something I’m sure my 8-year old nephew would love.
    Mashed potatoes and meatloaf are his two fave foods, so combining them together it’s probably his dream come true.
    Thank you for the recipe, I’m fairly certain it will win me the “Uncle of the Year” badge! 😉

  • I’m jealous I didn’t think of this!! Really love all the simple modifications to elevate this classic dish.

  • Lauren @ Oatmeal With A Fork

    My mom made meatloaf probably once a week, and I used to pick out all of the onions too (she wasn’t the best cook, so that wasn’t my only issue). I bet if she had stuffed it with cheese, I would have had a different attitude though! 🙂 I hope you and your family have a great Memorial Day!

  • Ala Shih

    I almost died when I saw cream cheese in this recipe and immediately clicked over. That jam! I’ve always been a sweet in my savory kind of eater–and while I don’t eat meatloaf, I think I would love this profile in my veggie loaf. Awesome recipe!

  • I could not resist this meatloaf. Love the mashed potatoes inside, such a great idea. And congrats on the new baby, that is so exciting!

    • Thank you Helene! Our little guy is amazing, such a relaxed personality already. He is so loved by us and we are incredibly blessed to have him in our lives already.

  • CrazyforCrust

    Oh wow. This is, like, the best meatloaf ever. My husband is going to love this (well, when he’s eating normal food again – #ihatewhole30)

  • Tutti Dolci

    Epic indeed, love the mashed potato stuffing!

  • Beth @ bethcakes

    This is my kind of meatloaf! I was and am still a very picky eater, so I completely understand what you were saying about liking the taste of onions but hating the texture. I have that problem with a lot of veggies, haha. Anyway, I have never been a big meatloaf fan, but I would totally be all over this. Love your updates to this classic!

  • Kathi @ Deliciously Yum!

    Um, yeah! This is pretty much what I picture when I hear the words epic meatloaf :). Way to rock the old classic, Matt! My hubby and I would be all over this! Also, congrats on the new baby. How exciting!!

    • Thanks Kathi! It’s funny, when I write about updating one of our old family meals, I hope my mom doesn’t get offended by my changes:) We are loving our new little addition to the family. He’s awesome!

  • Brilliant! Love that you used apricot jam to enhance the ketchup! This will be a much easier way to serve mashed potatoes to my boys and I know they’ll gobble it up!

  • Epic indeed! Stuff some green beans in there and it could be a full meal within itself. That could be weird though…

    I’m definitely going to have to try this one!

  • Paula

    That cheese!! That cheese totally makes this imo! And, my adversion was to anything mixed together, yeah, I was one of those that didn’t even want my food TOUCHING on the plate, much less have all kinds of crazy things IN my hamburger! I ‘grew’ out of that though! So now we know why Cole may be a picky eater 🙂 This looks fantastic!

  • noshandnourish

    First of all, congrats on the new baby!! Second, this meal sounds delish!! The apricot jam is such a great idea, and the onion/chive cream cheese…yes! My hubby HATES onions, so hardly any of my recipes include them.

    • Thanks so much! The jam is my favorite lately, and I never touched the stuff as a kid. It sweetens everything just the perfect amount. Thanks so much for stopping by!

  • Renee Smith

    2 things. A: Whoa! Why have I never thought to stuff the mashed potatoes IN to meatloaf? Genius! Really, this is a game changer.
    B: Now what am I going to serve along side? I think this requires an equally epic side dish. Challenge accepted!

    • Great point, Renee! Since you wouldn’t serve mashed potatoes alongside this, maybe some veggies? Although, this meatloaf stuffs you really quickly. Thanks for stopping by!

  • Geoff Auckett @ Chocolate Reci

    Matt, thanks for this great meatloaf recipe. I also love using jam in my recipes as well as infused teas, in case you haven’t tried them.
    I also love experimenting and creating new recipes. For yours I wondered about using garlic bread. Might be a bit weird with jam, perhaps herb bread would work better. Another idea is blue vein cheese. Might sound weird with jam but I think it really might work. Just a couple of ideas.
    If you are looking for a great dessert, let me know.

    • Thanks Geoff! I actually like the ideas of infused teas and garlic bread, different variations to this would be easy to do, and fun! Thanks so much for stopping by!

  • Allison @ Clean Wellness

    I grew up on so much meatloaf! Adding the apricot jam is a great idea 🙂 And so is stuffing the meatloaf! So cool!

  • CrunchyCreamySw

    Epic is right! Wow! Now I want meatloaf for dinner! Pinned!

  • Nailed it! What a great idea to add in the mashed potatoes inside the meatloaf. I can’t wait to try this the next time I make it! Also, that apricot jam is genius. What an awesome combination of flavors!

  • Krista

    I am totally a texture person too! Family of 9… wow! Must be some awesome family get togethers when everyone is there!

    Love the idea of stuffing it with mashed potatoes, genius! Totally an epic recipe, and you make meatloaf look good! Thats a feat in and of itself!

    Krista @ Joyful Healthy Eats

  • Allie|Baking a Moment

    First off, congrats on the new baby! Somehow I missed that, now I have to go back through your blog to see… Second, wow, this meatloaf sounds amazing! I always loved meatloaf, as a kid and even now. So comforting with mashed potatoes. Love how you combined the two in one dish. And that apricot ketchup sounds TDF! Totally drooling. Ok, now I’m off to go stalk your Instagram for baby pics 😉 Love and hugs to your whole family!

    • You’re so sweet, thank you Allie! Our little Connor is such a blessing. And he’s beautiful. I will let Naomi take the credit for that. She did all the hard work anyway. Thanks so much for stopping by!

  • Alice Choi

    Matt, oh my gawd, where do I start?! This meatloaf is brilliant!! My husband would love this . . and I love the addition of the apricot jam!! Hope you guys are doing well!

  • Ah I just saw this. I have never made a meatloaf before in my life. I think my husband would love it. I think I need to get to work 🙂

  • I love meatloaf! It was my favorite meal growing up, and unlike you, I loved the onions, the more the better. This kicked up recipe is brilliant, especially the chive cream cheese!

  • Serene Herrera

    This is definitely EPIC!! I usually fail when it comes to meatloaf, I have tried so many different ways. I am definitely going to give this one a try though 🙂 Can’t wait to enjoy it! By the way, I’m so glad I’m not the only one who feels that way about onions! Love the flavor they give, but don’t actually like to eat them in my dishes.

  • Kate@Diethood

    Dayyyyum that’s a delicious meatloaf!!! Epic, indeed. Umm…one of 9 kids?!? OMG. haha 😀

  • Wow, I can’t even begin to describe how amazing this looks! EPIC is totally appropriate 😀 I wouldn’t have thought to stuff a meatloaf with the mashed potatoes, but this is awesome. Great thinking! Pinning!

  • simplygloria1

    Matt, love what you did with the apricot jam. I bet the tang flavor is really enhanced! Also, LOVE the potatoes inside! Definitely a dinner winner, pinning!

  • This looks like an epic meatloaf indeed! Wow…9 kids! I come from a family of 4 kids and that was crazy, I can’t even imagine 9! Btw..congrats on your new little guy!

  • This is probably the best meatloaf I’ve ever seen! I love that you put the mashed potatoes in it instead of on the side and the apricot jam added to the ketchup is genius! Pinned!

  • Anything with the name ‘epic’ in it means sign me up! This really does look epic and something I want to whip up soon. I was just talking to my husband about how we haven’t meatloaf in a while and I’m sure he wouldn’t mind an EPIC one!!! 🙂

  • Megan {Country Cleaver}

    I like how you to “beastloaf”!! Or at least, that’s what we call it in our house – and it’s always a favorite! I’m going to surprise Ben with some stuffed Beastloaf next!

  • What is better than epic? Your meatloaf. And you added cheese. CHEESE. Cream cheese, yes (back to that in a minute), but cheddar cheese too. The mashed-potato-stuffage was a great idea, I love how you got the onion flavor through chive cream cheese. Because what’s better than onions? Onion-flavored cream cheese. Every time. Winner winner, epic meatloaf dinner. Nice job Matt, nice job. I know I say this about all of your recipes (at least in my head), but this one is my favorite!!!

    • My favorite comment ever, thanks Meggan! I am so with you on the cream cheese. It totally worked flavor-wise (and texture too). I came home from a board meeting tonight so hungry, went to the fridge, no more leftovers, so bummed! Thanks so much again.

      • Sorry, I know you have to get on with your life (new baby, wife, kids, more amazing recipe development), but I just have to say that now I’m wondering Where Else In Life can chive cream cheese be used in place of onions? The possibilities are endless!!! #cheesehead

        • Too funny Meggan. The boys are asleep, Naomi is blogging away (sleeping baby in one arm, typing with the other), and I am catching up. But you are right, the possibilities are endless actually. See what you can do!

  • Awesome recipe! Can’t wait to see my husbands reaction when he tries this. I know he’ll love it!

  • “Epic” is the exact word to describe this recipe. The combination of mashed potato and cheese is amazing, and I felt myself drooling when I read through your recipe! Definitely a keeper! 🙂

  • Okay, just had to pick up my jaw from the keyboard because this meatloaf looks outrageously beautiful! I mean, cream cheese, cheddar cheese and apricot jam? My husband would die over happiness if I made this for him! This is definitely one epic meatloaf. Congrats to you and Naomi on the new baby 🙂

  • This looks absolutely amazing, Matt! I’ve been on a lookout for the ultimate comfort food lately, and here it is! Wow..you grew up in a really large family. I’m sure you have so many fond memories. Having grown up in Korea, meatloaf certainly wasn’t in the repertoire, but it didn’t take long for it to become one of my favs when I moved to the States. Love love love the addition of apricot jam! Pinning!

  • marcie @ flavor the moments

    I love making meat loaf for the boys in my house, and what a brilliant idea this is to stuff it with mashed potatoes! This would make my family very happy. 🙂 Pinning!

  • Zainab @ Blahnik Baker

    I can already see my husband’s face light up!! Meatloaf was his favorite growing up. This looks insanely good!! I am making it this weekend. Thank you so much for sharing this epic recipe.

  • WillCookForSmiles

    This meatloaf sounds fantastic!! Love this idea!

  • Oh my goodness I love the mashed potatoes in the middle! Serious grub!

  • Rachel Rose

    Just made this for dinner – we loved it!! Best meat loaf ever. Thank you:)

  • This is the second of your “stuffed” posts I’ve been wowed by! You have inspired me to stuff some…stuff…myself. I think I shall shove some chipotle pimento cheese into….something. I’ll get back to you! =)

  • GoDeap_25

    This is BadAss, never have I liked Meatloaf as I did this.

  • Jack MeHoff

    There is a lot of Meat Loaf stuffed with Mash Potato recipes out there but this one by FAR beats them all. Good work young Man!

  • […] it another way, 2 for 1. And why shouldn’t that apply to food too? It worked so well with my meatloaf a couple of weeks ago that I decided to give it a go again by mashing together two classics […]

  • Wilma

    The recipe sounds really good I’m going to try it this week I love the idea of apricot jam used in this never thought of that

  • Gary Johnson

    I love this recipe, I have since making it 3 time put my own twist on it which adds a completely different flavor. Instead of ketchup I used A1 sauce, and instead of apricot jam I used orange marmalade….. I think it’s pretty good but I’ll leave that to you all to decide

  • Amy

    So, I can never just see a recipe, make it as printed and leave it at that. So I layered bacon (cooked) over the potatoes, under the cheese. I’m afraid I stuffed too much mashed taters into the loaf, but only if that’s even a possibility! I replaced the jam with some packets of duck sauce (Chinese food night from some other time) I had in my junk food drawer… And my homemade taters are ever the same, but I added bacon, powdered ranch, slices of American cheese, plain cream cheese and things I came across as I went (my usual method of madness when making mashed potatoes). I also left them a little thicker and stiffer than normal for the added support to hold shape in the meatloaf.. It’s about to come out of the oven now and let me just say, it will taste at least pretty close to how it smells right now, and my fiance and both cats are pacing the kitchen floor!!! Thanks for this great idea, Matt!! Cook On!!!!

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