Cheesy Ranch Meatball Casserole with Mashed Potatoes

Don’t forget to check out my Instagram account – Or give me a follow on Facebook or see what I am pinning on Pinterest or Twitter!

Elevate your dinner game with this easy-to-make Meatball Casserole featuring golden-brown meatballs nestled in a bed of rich and creamy mashed potatoes, all topped with a gooey layer of shredded cheese. Fast and easy! On the table in 30 minutes.

Meatball Casserole Ingredients

2 packages (2 oz each) Ranch dressing mix
1/2 of a 13.75 oz Hungry Jack Potato Flakes (6.875 ounces)
1 1/2 sticks of butter
3/4 cup sour cream
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese
1 medium saucepan of water
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 cup shredded cheese (your choice of type)
1 package (32 oz) of

Homestyle Frozen Meatballs

6 tbsp oil
1 1/2 tsp garlic salt
1/2 tsp pepper
Frozen vegetables (for serving)

Thank you so much for supporting my site

What Goes Well With Meatball Casserole

Southern Kicked-up Green Beans

Parmesan Canned Corn

Bacon and onion Collard Greens

Buttery Parmesan Corn On The Cob

Instant Pot Brussel Spouts

Meatball Casserole Instant Pot

Equipment:

Instructions:

Prepare Mashed Potatoes:

In the Instant Pot, add the Hungry Jack Potato Flakes, 1 1/2 sticks of butter, sour cream, Ranch dressing mix, cream cheese, 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper.
Set the Instant Pot to "Manual" or "Pressure Cook" mode and cook on high pressure for 5 minutes.
Once done, do a quick release of pressure and carefully open the Instant Pot. Stir the mashed potatoes until they are smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning if needed.

Prepare Meatballs:

While the mashed potatoes are cooking, heat the oil in a pan on the stove.
Add the garlic salt and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper to the oil.
Add the frozen meatballs to the seasoned oil and sauté them until they are browned on all sides.

Layer the Casserole:

Transfer the mashed potatoes to an oven-safe casserole dish that fits inside the Instant Pot.
Layer the browned meatballs on top of the mashed potatoes.

Set Up the Instant Pot for PIP:

Add 1 cup of water to the bottom of the Instant Pot.
Place a trivet with handles into the Instant Pot over the water.

Cook Using PIP Method:

Carefully lower the casserole dish with the mashed potatoes and meatballs onto the trivet inside the Instant Pot.
Seal the Instant Pot and set it to "Manual" or "Pressure Cook" mode for 5 minutes on high pressure.

Release Pressure and Broil:

Once the cooking cycle is complete, perform a quick pressure release.
Carefully remove the Pot in Pot dish from the Instant Pot and place it in your oven under the broiler.
Sprinkle the top of the mashed potatoes with the shredded cheese.
Broil for 3-5 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.

Serve:

Carefully remove the casserole dish from the oven, let it cool for a few minutes, and serve your Cheesy Ranch Meatball Casserole with a side of your favorite frozen vegetables.

Thank you so much for supporting my site

Meatball Casserole Oven

Prepare Mashed Potatoes:

In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt to the boiling water.
Slowly stir in the Hungry Jack Potato Flakes while continuously whisking to avoid lumps.
Add 1 and 1/2 sticks of butter to the potatoes and mix until well combined.
Stir in the sour cream, Ranch dressing mix, cream cheese, and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper. Continue mixing until smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning if needed.

Assemble the Casserole:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Transfer the mashed potato mixture into a medium-sized casserole dish and spread it evenly.
Prepare Meatballs:
While the oven is preheating, defrost the meatballs in the microwave for about 10 minutes.
In a large bowl, combine the defrosted meatballs, 6 tablespoons of oil, 1 1/2 teaspoons of garlic salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper. Toss to coat the meatballs evenly.

Layer the Casserole:

Place as many meatballs as you can fit into the mashed potatoes, pushing them down slightly to nestle them in.
Place the remaining meatballs in another casserole dish.

Bake:

Cover both casserole dishes with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.

Broil:

After 20 minutes, remove the casseroles from the oven and uncover them.
Sprinkle the top of the mashed potatoes with the shredded cheese.
Place both casserole dishes back in the oven on the broil setting for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown.

Serve:

Remove the casseroles from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving.

Serve the Cheesy Ranch Meatball Casserole with a side of your favorite frozen vegetables.

Thank you so much for supporting my site

Meatball Casserole Variations

Italian Meatball Casserole:

Replace the Ranch dressing mix with Italian seasoning.
Use Italian-style frozen meatballs and top with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese before broiling.

BBQ Meatball Casserole:

Use BBQ sauce instead of Ranch dressing mix for a smoky flavor.
Top with additional BBQ sauce and shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese before broiling.

Spicy Meatball Casserole:

Add heat by using spicy meatballs or adding crushed red pepper flakes to the seasoning.
Top with sliced jalapeños and pepper jack cheese before broiling.

Meatball and Mushroom Casserole:

Stick with the original Ranch dressing mix.
Add sliced mushrooms to the meatball mixture for an earthy flavor.
Top with Swiss cheese before broiling for a savory twist.

Meatball and Spinach Casserole:

Keep the Ranch dressing mix.
Add chopped spinach to the mashed potatoes.
Top with a blend of Italian cheeses before broiling for a balanced option.

Meatball and Bacon Casserole:

Maintain the Ranch dressing mix.
Add crispy bacon bits to the mashed potatoes.
Top with more bacon bits and cheddar cheese before broiling for a hearty dish.

Teriyaki Meatball Casserole:

Use teriyaki sauce for flavoring the meatballs.
Top with sliced green onions and sesame seeds before broiling.
Serve with a drizzle of extra teriyaki sauce.

Tex-Mex Meatball Casserole:

Replace Ranch dressing mix with taco seasoning.
Use Mexican-style frozen meatballs.
Add layers of salsa, shredded cheddar, and diced tomatoes before broiling.
Serve with sour cream and guacamole.

Meatball and Pesto Casserole:

Use basil pesto for added flavor in the mashed potatoes. - Top with fresh basil leaves and grated Parmesan cheese before broiling.