When you can’t decide between two of the ultimate all-time comfort foods, the only logical solution is to bake them together into one glorious, crowd-pleasing dish. As you can see in image_c4229f.jpg, this Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole features a savory, deeply flavorful layer of seasoned meatloaf at the bottom, piled high with a thick blanket of rich, creamy elbow macaroni and an incredibly gooey layer of melted cheese. It’s a complete, stick-to-your-ribs meal that is guaranteed to be a massive hit on family dinner night.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- The Ultimate Fusion: Combines juicy, savory ground beef meatloaf with velvety, cheesy pasta.
- Incredible Cheese Pull: A custom blend of sharp cheddar and mozzarella creates that beautifully stretchy, molten top layer shown in image_c4229f.jpg.
- Kid-Approved: Two childhood favorites unified into a single, scoopable baking dish.
🛒 Ingredients
For the Savory Meatloaf Base:
- 1.5 lbs (approx. 700g) lean ground beef or ground chuck
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup milk
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
For the Mac and Cheese Layer:
- 8 oz (approx. 225g) elbow macaroni
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 2 cups sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded (divided)
- 1 cup Mozzarella cheese, shredded (for that perfect stretch)
- ¼ tsp paprika
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prep the Oven and Pan
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch glass or ceramic baking dish with non-stick cooking spray and set it aside.
Step 2: Mix and Bake the Meatloaf Layer
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, diced onion, egg, milk, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Use your hands to gently mix just until combined (do not overmix, or the meatloaf will become dense). Press the meat mixture evenly into the bottom of your prepared baking dish to form a solid base layer. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes to par-cook the meat and drain away any excess grease before adding the pasta.
Step 3: Cook the Pasta
While the meat layer is baking, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until it is just al dente (usually about 6 to 7 minutes). Drain and set aside.
Step 4: Whisk the Creamy Cheese Sauce
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the ¼ cup of butter. Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute to remove the raw flour taste. Gradually pour in the 2 cups of whole milk, whisking constantly to prevent any lumps. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and let it cook for 3 to 4 minutes until it thickens into a smooth sauce.
Turn off the heat. Stir in the paprika, 1 cup of the sharp cheddar, and ½ cup of the mozzarella until completely melted and velvety. Fold the drained elbow macaroni into the cheese sauce until every noodle is fully coated.
Step 5: Layer and Bake to Perfection
Remove the baking dish with the meat layer from the oven. Pour the creamy mac and cheese directly over the meatloaf base, smoothing it out to the edges with a spatula.
Top the pasta with the remaining 1 cup of cheddar and ½ cup of mozzarella. Return the casserole to the oven uncovered and bake for an additional 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted, bubbling, and beautifully golden-brown.
Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes to cool slightly and set, then scoop it up while it’s hot and stretchy, just like in image_c4229f.jpg!
💡 Quick Variations to Try
- Bacon Cheeseburger Style: Stir ½ cup of crispy crumbled bacon bits directly into the mac and cheese layer before assembling.
- Give it a Glaze: Spread a thin layer of sweet ketchup and brown sugar over the meatloaf base before topping it with the pasta for an authentic, traditional meatloaf kick.