Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole Recipe
This Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole is a comforting and hearty dish that combines classic meatloaf ingredients with creamy macaroni and cheese. Layers of seasoned ground beef form the base, topped with rich homemade cheese sauce mixed with macaroni, and finished with a cheesy crust baked to perfection. It’s a delightful one-dish meal perfect for family dinners.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Meatloaf
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
Macaroni
- 2 cups uncooked macaroni
Cheese Sauce
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp dry mustard
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (divided)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the meatloaf and casserole.
- Prepare Meatloaf Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, diced onion, breadcrumbs, egg, 1/4 cup milk, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Form Meatloaf Base: Press the meat mixture evenly into a greased baking dish to form the base layer of the casserole.
- Bake Meatloaf Layer: Bake the meatloaf base in the preheated oven for 20 minutes to partially cook it before adding the macaroni and cheese topping.
- Cook Macaroni: While the meatloaf is baking, cook the macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make Cheese Sauce: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in flour and cook for about one minute to form a roux. Gradually whisk in 2 cups of milk, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens. Season with salt, pepper, paprika, and dry mustard. Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese until melted and smooth.
- Combine Macaroni and Cheese Sauce: Mix the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce until well combined.
- Assemble Casserole: Pour the macaroni and cheese mixture evenly over the partially baked meatloaf base. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the top.
- Bake Final Casserole: Return the casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 25 minutes or until bubbly and the cheese is melted and slightly golden.
Notes
- For best results, use freshly shredded cheddar cheese instead of pre-shredded for a smoother cheese sauce.
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for beef if desired.
- If you prefer a crustier top, broil the casserole for 2-3 minutes at the end, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- To make this dish gluten-free, use gluten-free breadcrumbs and pasta.
Keywords: Mac and Cheese, Meatloaf, Casserole, Comfort Food, Cheesy Bake, Family Dinner, Easy Dinner Recipes
