1️⃣ Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease an 8-inch square baking dish.

2️⃣ Prepare the Mashed Potatoes:
In a medium saucepan, bring the water and milk to a boil. Once boiling, remove from heat and stir in the garlic-flavored instant mashed potatoes until smooth and fluffy. Set the mashed potatoes aside.

3️⃣ Make the Meatloaf Mixture:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, diced onions, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce. Use your hands to mix the ingredients thoroughly.

4️⃣ Add Breadcrumbs and Egg:
To the meat mixture, add the Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs and egg. Continue mixing with your hands until everything is well combined.

5️⃣ Assemble the Casserole:
Press the meat mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, forming a flat layer of meatloaf.

6️⃣ Spread the Mashed Potatoes:
Use a rubber spatula to evenly spread the prepared mashed potatoes over the meatloaf layer.

7️⃣ Add Cheese and Bacon:
Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese blend on top of the mashed potatoes, then scatter the real bacon bits over the cheese.

8️⃣ Bake:
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt and turn golden.

9️⃣ Cool and Serve:
Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy your cheesy, savory meal!