Description
This Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole combines the hearty flavors of a traditional meatloaf with creamy, cheesy macaroni, creating a comforting and satisfying all-in-one dish that’s perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatloaf Layer
- 1 lb ground beef
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Mac and Cheese Sauce
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder (optional)
Garnish (Optional)
- Chopped parsley or green onions
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Meatloaf: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, ¼ cup milk, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined, then press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared dish to form a meatloaf layer. Bake for 20–25 minutes.
- Cook Pasta: While the meatloaf bakes, cook the elbow macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make Cheese Sauce: In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute to create a roux. Gradually whisk in the 2 cups of milk, continuing to whisk until the sauce thickens, about 3–4 minutes. Remove from heat, then stir in cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, and mustard powder (if using) until smooth and creamy.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Mix the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce until the pasta is evenly coated.
- Add Mac and Cheese to Meatloaf: Remove the meatloaf layer from the oven and carefully drain any excess grease. Spoon the mac and cheese mixture evenly over the meatloaf layer.
- Final Bake: Return the baking dish to the oven and bake for an additional 10–15 minutes, or until the top is bubbly and golden.
- Rest and Serve: Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley or green onions if desired.
Notes
- Use ground turkey instead of beef for a lighter version of this casserole.
- For extra crunch and texture, sprinkle buttered breadcrumbs or crushed crackers over the mac and cheese layer before the final bake.
- Ensure not to overmix the meatloaf ingredients to keep it tender.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 530
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 33g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
