Description
Dorito Meatloaf Casserole is a hearty, flavorful twist on classic meatloaf, layering ground beef and Italian sausage with tangy cream cheese, crunchy Doritos, and gooey mozzarella cheese. This casserole bakes to a savory, cheesy perfection with a crispy Dorito topping, making it a perfect comfort food for family dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatloaf Mixture
- 1 lb extra lean ground beef
- 1 lb Italian pork sausage (casings removed)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/3 cup milk
- 2 cups crushed Doritos (from about one 9.25 oz bag)
Cream Cheese Layer
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 oz ranch dressing mix
- 1 tablespoon milk
Toppings and Garnish
- 1 cup diced green bell pepper
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup crushed Doritos (remaining from the bag)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the casserole.
- Combine Meat Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, add the ground beef, Italian sausage, eggs, 1/3 cup milk, and 2 cups of crushed Doritos. Use your hands to mix everything thoroughly until well combined, creating the base meat mixture.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Spray a 9 x 13-inch baking dish generously with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Layer Meat Mixture: Scoop half of the meat mixture into the prepared baking dish and press it evenly to cover the entire bottom layer.
- Make Cream Cheese Spread: In a separate bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, ranch dressing mix, and 1 tablespoon of milk. Using an electric mixer, beat the mixture until smooth and creamy.
- Spread Cream Cheese Layer: Evenly spread the cream cheese mixture over the first meat layer in the baking dish.
- Add Bell Peppers: Sprinkle the diced green bell peppers evenly over the cream cheese layer.
- Sprinkle Cheese: Distribute half of the shredded mozzarella cheese over the bell peppers to add gooey cheesiness.
- Add Second Meat Layer: Press the remaining half of the meat mixture on top carefully, covering all the layers below.
- Bake First Phase: Place the assembled casserole into the preheated oven and bake for 40 minutes, allowing the meat to cook through and flavors to meld.
- Add Final Toppings: Remove the casserole temporarily from the oven. Sprinkle the remaining shredded mozzarella cheese over the top, followed by the remaining 1 cup of crushed Doritos for a crunchy topping.
- Bake Final Phase: Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and the topping is crisp.
- Rest and Serve: Take the casserole out of the oven and let it rest for a few minutes to set. Slice, serve, and enjoy your comforting Dorito Meatloaf Casserole!
Notes
- Use extra lean ground beef to reduce fat content while keeping the casserole moist.
- Removing sausage casings ensures an even texture throughout the meat layers.
- Crushed Doritos add a unique crunch and tangy flavor—feel free to choose your favorite Dorito flavor variety.
- Allowing the casserole to rest before slicing helps it hold its shape better.
- For spicier flavor, consider adding diced jalapeños in the bell pepper layer.
- This casserole can be made ahead and refrigerated before baking, just increase baking time by 10–15 minutes if baking cold.
