Mac and Cheese Casserole with Meatloaf

Why You’ll Love This Casserole

If you’re looking for a comfort food that brings together the best of both worlds, the Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole is your answer. This recipe combines the savory goodness of meatloaf with the creamy, cheesy delight of macaroni and cheese. Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or any time you need a hearty meal, this casserole is bound to satisfy your cravings. Plus, it’s incredibly easy to make, requiring minimal prep time while being a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

• For the Meatloaf:
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• For the Mac and Cheese:
  • 8 ounces elbow macaroni
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon mustard powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
• For Topping:
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 tablespoon melted butter

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Prepare the meatloaf mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, chopped onion, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Mix until well combined.
3. Shape the meatloaf: Transfer the meat mixture to a loaf pan. Press it down evenly and compactly to form a solid loaf.
4. Bake the meatloaf: Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (70°C).
5. Cook the macaroni: While the meatloaf is baking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
6. Make the cheese sauce: In a saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until lightly golden. Gradually whisk in milk, mustard powder, salt, and pepper. Continue to whisk until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat, and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted.
7. Combine macaroni and cheese: In a large bowl, mix the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce. Stir until the pasta is well-coated with the cheese mixture.
8. Layer the casserole: Once the meatloaf is done baking, increase oven temperature to 375°F (190°C). Carefully remove the meatloaf from the loaf pan and slice it into thick pieces. In a greased baking dish, layer half of the mac and cheese, followed by a layer of meatloaf slices, and then the remaining mac and cheese on top.
9. Prepare the topping: In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup breadcrumbs, 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese, and melted butter. Sprinkle this mixture over the top of the assembled casserole.
10. Bake the casserole: Return the casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
11. Serve: Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole warm!

Tips for the Perfect Casserole

• Meat Alternatives: You can use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef for a lighter version.
• Cheese Variety: Feel free to mix different types of cheeses—Monterey Jack, Gouda, or a cheesy blend can add depth to the flavor.
• Vegetable Add-ins: Sneak in some vegetables by adding cooked broccoli, spinach, or bell peppers to the mac and cheese for extra nutrition.
• Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. This casserole also freezes well. Just ensure it is properly covered to prevent freezer burn.

Variations

There are many ways you can customize this Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole to suit your taste or dietary preferences:

• Spicy Version: Add diced jalapeños or a sprinkle of cayenne pepper to the meatloaf mixture for a spicy kick.
• BBQ Twist: Mix in some barbecue sauce into the meatloaf mixture for a sweet and tangy flavor.
• Extra Creamy: Add a splash of heavy cream to the cheese sauce to make it richer and creamier.
• Herbs and Spices: Experiment with fresh herbs like thyme or oregano in the cheese sauce for added freshness.

Conclusion

The Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole is more than just a meal; it’s a delightful experience that brings families together. With its rich flavors and comforting textures, it’s destined to become a favorite in your household. This dish is not only convenient to prepare, but it also offers the flexibility to adapt to your personal taste. Add your favorite sides, sit down with your loved ones, and enjoy every cheesy, meaty bite of this hearty casserole. Whether it’s for a special occasion or a regular weeknight dinner, this recipe will surely impress everyone at the table. Try it out today!

Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole

A comforting blend of savory meatloaf and creamy macaroni and cheese, perfect for family dinners and potlucks.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 55 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 470

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the Meatloaf

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning

For the Mac and Cheese

• 8 ounces elbow macaroni
• 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon mustard powder

For Topping

• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 tablespoon melted butter

Method

 

Preparation

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, chopped onion, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Mix until well combined.
3. Transfer the meat mixture to a loaf pan. Press it down evenly and compactly to form a solid loaf.

Baking the Meatloaf

1. Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (70°C).

Cooking the Macaroni and Cheese

1. While the meatloaf is baking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. In a saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until lightly golden.
3. Gradually whisk in milk, mustard powder, salt, and pepper. Continue to whisk until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat, and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted.
4. In a large bowl, mix the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce. Stir until the pasta is well-coated with the cheese mixture.

Assembling the Casserole

1. Once the meatloaf is done baking, increase oven temperature to 375°F (190°C).
2. Carefully remove the meatloaf from the loaf pan and slice it into thick pieces.
3. In a greased baking dish, layer half of the mac and cheese, followed by a layer of meatloaf slices, and then the remaining mac and cheese on top.
4. In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup breadcrumbs, 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese, and melted butter. Sprinkle this mixture over the top of the assembled casserole.

Final Baking

1. Return the casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.

Serving

1. Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole warm!

Notes

Tips for the perfect casserole include using meat alternatives, mixing different cheeses, adding vegetables, and storing leftovers properly.