Description
This Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole combines hearty meatloaf with creamy macaroni and cheese to create a comforting and satisfying one-dish meal perfect for family dinners. Ground beef is mixed with onions, breadcrumbs, and seasonings, baked partially before being topped with a rich and cheesy macaroni sauce and baked again to bubbly perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatloaf
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 2 cups milk (divided)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Macaroni and Cheese Sauce
- 2 cups uncooked macaroni
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp dry mustard
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Prepare Meatloaf Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, diced onion, breadcrumbs, egg, 2 cups of milk, salt, and pepper. Mix until evenly combined and press the mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Bake Meatloaf Base: Bake the meatloaf mixture for 20 minutes to set the base before adding the macaroni and cheese topping.
- Cook Macaroni: Meanwhile, cook the macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make Cheese Sauce: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Stir in flour and cook for about 1 minute to form a roux. Gradually whisk in 2 cups of milk, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens. Add paprika, dry mustard, salt, pepper, and 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese. Stir until the cheese is completely melted.
- Combine Macaroni and Cheese Sauce: Mix the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce until well coated.
- Assemble Casserole: Pour the macaroni and cheese over the partially baked meatloaf in the baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese evenly on top.
- Final Bake: Return the casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 25 minutes or until bubbly and the top is golden brown.
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- Use gluten-free breadcrumbs to make this recipe gluten-free if needed.
- For extra flavor, consider adding garlic powder or Worcestershire sauce to the meatloaf mixture.
- Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving for easier slicing.
