Meatloaf Sandwich Casserole Recipe

This incredibly hearty Meatloaf Sandwich Casserole transforms the classic comfort food into a showstopping one-dish meal that will have everyone asking for seconds. With layers of savory meatloaf, gooey cheese, crunchy onions, and toasty garlic bread, this casserole combines everything you love about meatloaf sandwiches into one convenient dish that’s perfect for family dinners or potlucks. Ready in just over an hour, it’s a crowd-pleasing meal that delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort!

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Pillsbury pizza crust: Serves as the perfect base layer that absorbs flavors and adds a nice texture contrast. The pre-made crust makes assembly quick and easy.
• Ketchup: Provides classic tang and sweetness that’s essential for authentic meatloaf flavor.
• BBQ sauce: Sweet Baby Ray’s Hickory and Brown Sugar variety adds wonderful smokiness and depth to balance the ketchup’s acidity.
• Ground beef: Extra lean is recommended to prevent excess grease, but it still stays juicy thanks to the sauce and other mix-ins.
• Ritz crackers: These buttery crackers add flavor while binding the meatloaf together better than plain breadcrumbs would.
• Onion soup mix: A flavor powerhouse that instantly adds depth and savory notes without chopping onions.
• Eggs: Work as the crucial binding agent that keeps your meatloaf layer together.
• Crispy fried onions: These add incredible texture and concentrated onion flavor that makes the middle layer truly special.
• Shredded cheese blend: The combination of mozzarella for stretch and cheddar for flavor creates the perfect melty crown.
• Texas toast garlic bread: The crowning glory that transforms this from ordinary meatloaf to extraordinary casserole. Its buttery, garlicky goodness ties everything together.

Variations

Flavor Twists

• Italian Style: Use Italian seasoning in the meatloaf mixture, substitute marinara for the ketchup/BBQ sauce, and top with provolone cheese.
• Mexican Inspired: Add taco seasoning to the meat, use salsa instead of ketchup, and top with pepper jack cheese and crushed tortilla chips.
• Breakfast Version: Use breakfast sausage instead of beef, add maple syrup to the sauce, and top with scrambled eggs before the cheese layer.

Dietary Adaptations

• Lighter Option: Use ground turkey instead of beef and reduced-fat cheese.
• Gluten-Free: Replace the pizza crust with a gluten-free version, use gluten-free crackers, and substitute gluten-free bread for the Texas toast.

How to Make Meatloaf Sandwich Casserole

Step 1: Prepare the Base

Preheat your oven to 350°F and generously spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray. Unroll the pizza crust and press it evenly into the bottom of the dish, creating a solid foundation for your casserole.

Step 2: Create the Sauce

In a mixing bowl, combine the ketchup and BBQ sauce, stirring until well integrated. This sweet and tangy sauce is what gives the meatloaf its signature flavor, so make sure it’s thoroughly mixed.

Step 3: Mix the Meatloaf

In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, crushed Ritz crackers, onion soup mix, and eggs. Add 1/2 cup of your prepared sauce mixture to the bowl. Roll up your sleeves and mix everything together by hand until just combined – this gives you the best texture control without overworking the meat.

Step 4: Assemble and Start Baking

Spread the meatloaf mixture in an even layer over the pizza dough. Pour the remaining sauce over the top, making sure to cover the meat completely. Pop it in the oven and bake for 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to begin melding together.

Step 5: Add the Toppings

After the initial baking period, pull out the casserole and add your finishing layers: sprinkle the crispy fried onions evenly across the top, followed by a generous blanket of shredded cheese. Place the thawed garlic bread slices on top to create your “sandwich” effect.

Step 6: Final Bake and Serve

Return the dish to the oven for another 20-25 minutes until the cheese is beautifully melted and the garlic bread has toasted to golden perfection. For food safety, check that the internal temperature of the meatloaf has reached 165°F. Let it rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

How to Serve

This hearty casserole is essentially a complete meal, but here are some wonderful ways to serve it:

Simple Sides

Pair with a fresh green salad dressed with vinaigrette to cut through the richness of the casserole.

Veggie Options

Steamed green beans or roasted broccoli make excellent vegetable accompaniments that balance the meal.

Beverage Pairings

A cold beer, iced tea, or even a glass of medium-bodied red wine complements the flavors beautifully.

Make Ahead and Storage

Make Ahead

Prepare the meatloaf mixture up to a day ahead and store it in the refrigerator. You can also assemble the entire casserole (minus the garlic bread) and refrigerate for up to 8 hours before baking. Add the garlic bread right before the final baking step.

Storing Leftovers

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors often taste even better the next day as they continue to develop.

Freezing

This casserole freezes beautifully! You can freeze it either before or after baking. For best results, if freezing before baking, leave off the garlic bread and add it fresh when you’re ready to bake. Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months.

Reheating

Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until heated through. For larger portions, cover with foil and warm in a 325°F oven until hot in the center (about 20-30 minutes).

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Meatloaf Sandwich Casserole takes comfort food to new heights by combining familiar flavors in an exciting, convenient format. It’s the kind of recipe that becomes an instant family favorite – satisfying, adaptable, and absolutely delicious. Whether you’re feeding a hungry crowd or looking for a comforting dinner with plenty of leftovers, this casserole delivers every time. Give it a try the next time you’re craving something hearty and homey – your family will thank you!

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