Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole: The Ultimate Comfort Food Mashup

There’s something incredibly comforting about a classic meatloaf, and when you add the creamy goodness of macaroni and cheese to the mix, you create a dish that elevates comfort food to a whole new level. This Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole is the ultimate mashup that your family will love, combining two beloved dishes into one hearty meal. Perfect for weeknight dinners or family gatherings, it’s a dish that guarantees smiles around the table and warmed hearts.

Not only is this casserole a feast for the eyes with its cheesy, golden topping, but it also boasts a wonderfully savory flavor profile with the hearty meatloaf serving as a base. The richness of the cheese sauce melds beautifully with the juiciness of the meat, making every bite a delight for both kids and adults alike. It’s comfort food at its finest, ideal for those cozy evenings when you want to indulge a little and enjoy the simple pleasures of home-cooked goodness.

This is what the finished dish looks like when perfectly baked.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 2 cups uncooked macaroni
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup diced onion
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup milk (for meatloaf)
• 2 tbsp butter (for cheese sauce)
• 2 cups milk (for cheese sauce)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp dry mustard
• 2 tbsp flour

Here are all the ingredients you’ll need to create this delightful casserole.

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, diced onion, breadcrumbs, egg, 1/4 cup milk, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined, then press the mixture into a greased baking dish.
3. Bake the meatloaf for 20 minutes to form a solid base.
4. While the meatloaf bakes, cook the macaroni according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
5. To make the cheese sauce, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for about one minute.
6. Gradually whisk in the 2 cups of milk until the mixture thickens. Season with salt, pepper, paprika, and dry mustard, stirring to combine. Add the shredded cheese, stirring until melted and smooth.
7. Combine the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce, then pour the mixture over the baked meatloaf layer. Top with any remaining cheese.
8. Bake the casserole for an additional 25 minutes, or until it is bubbly and golden on top.

Tips & Variations

• Ingredient substitutions: For a lighter option, you can substitute ground turkey or chicken for the beef. Gluten-free breadcrumbs can be used for a gluten-free version.
• Optional variations: Add cooked vegetables, such as spinach or bell peppers, to the cheese sauce for added nutrition. For a spicier kick, consider adding some diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the mix.
• Storage or reheating tips: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven until warmed through.

Recipe Information

• Prep time: 20 minutes
• Cook time: 45 minutes
• Total time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Servings: 6
• Difficulty level: Easy

Generic image description or alt-text for visual accessibility purposes.

Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole

450kcal

Pinterest Facebook Share on X

Share Print

Prep 20 minutes mins

Cook 45 minutes mins

Total 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

A comforting mashup of classic meatloaf and creamy macaroni and cheese, perfect for family dinners.

Servings 6 servings

Course Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine American

Ingredients

1x2x3x

Meatloaf Base

• ▢ 1 lb ground beef
• ▢ 1/2 cup diced onion
• ▢ 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• ▢ 1 large egg
• ▢ 1/4 cup milk (for meatloaf)
• ▢ 1 tsp salt
• ▢ 1/2 tsp pepper

Cheese Sauce

• ▢ 2 tbsp butter
• ▢ 2 cups milk (for cheese sauce)
• ▢ 2 tbsp flour
• ▢ 1/2 tsp salt
• ▢ 1/2 tsp pepper
• ▢ 1/2 tsp paprika
• ▢ 1/2 tsp dry mustard
• ▢ 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Pasta

• ▢ 2 cups uncooked macaroni

Method

Prevent Sleep ModePrevent Sleep Mode

Preparation

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a mixing bowl, combine ground beef, diced onion, breadcrumbs, egg, 1/4 cup milk, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined, then press into a greased baking dish.
3. Bake the meatloaf for 20 minutes to form a solid base.
4. While the meatloaf bakes, cook the macaroni according to package directions. Drain and set aside.

Cheese Sauce

1. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook for about one minute.
2. Gradually whisk in the 2 cups of milk until the mixture thickens. Season with salt, pepper, paprika, and dry mustard, stirring to combine.
3. Add the shredded cheese, stirring until melted and smooth.

Assembly

1. Combine the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce, then pour the mixture over the baked meatloaf layer.
2. Top with any remaining cheese.

Baking

1. Bake the casserole for an additional 25 minutes, or until bubbly and golden on top.

Nutrition

Serving1gCalories450kcalCarbohydrates40gProtein30gFat20gSaturated Fat10gSodium800mgFiber2gSugar2g

Notes

For a lighter option, substitute ground turkey or chicken for the beef. Use gluten-free breadcrumbs for a gluten-free version. Add cooked vegetables like spinach or bell peppers for nutrition and consider adding jalapeños for heat. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven until warm.

Private Notes

Click here to add your own private notes.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!