Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole

This recipe combines a savory meatloaf layer with creamy baked macaroni and cheese for the ultimate comfort food mashup. This hearty, two-in-one meal is guaranteed to satisfy the whole family and makes for a filling weeknight dinner with minimal fuss.

Table of Contents

• Ingredients for Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole
• Step-by-Step Instructions
• Tips for Success
• Serving Suggestions
• Storage and Make Ahead Tips

Ingredients for Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole

This recipe serves 6–8 people and uses a 9×13-inch baking dish:

• Meatloaf Layer
  • Ground Beef: 1 lb
  • Onion, diced: 1/2 cup
  • Breadcrumbs: 1/2 cup
  • Egg: 1 large
  • Milk: 1/4 cup
  • Salt: 1 tsp
  • Pepper: 1/2 tsp
• Mac and Cheese Layer
  • Elbow Macaroni, uncooked: 2 cups
  • Butter: 2 tbsp
  • Flour: 2 tbsp
  • Milk: 2 cups
  • Cheddar Cheese, shredded: 2 cups (1 1/2 cups for sauce, 1/2 cup for topping)
  • Salt: 1/2 tsp
  • Pepper: 1/4 tsp
  • Paprika: 1/2 tsp
  • Dry Mustard: 1/2 tsp

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Preheat Oven & Prep Meatloaf

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. In a bowl, combine the ground beef, diced onion, breadcrumbs, egg, 1/4 cup milk, salt, and pepper. Mix well (but don’t overmix). Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.

Step 2: Par-Bake Meatloaf

Bake the meatloaf layer for 20 minutes.

Step 3: Cook Macaroni

While the meatloaf is baking, cook the macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 4: Make Cheese Sauce

In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in the 2 cups of milk and continue to cook, stirring, until the mixture is thickened.

Step 5: Finish Sauce

Remove the sauce from the heat. Stir in the 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper, paprika, dry mustard, and 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheese until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth.

Step 6: Assemble & Final Bake

Stir the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce. Pour this mac and cheese mixture over the partially cooked meatloaf. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of cheese on top.

Step 7: Bake Again

Return the casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 25 minutes or until the top is golden, the sauce is bubbly, and the meatloaf is cooked through.

Step 8: Rest

Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Tips for Success

• Prevent Dryness: To help prevent the mac and cheese layer from drying out while baking, you can add an extra 1/4 cup of milk to the cheese sauce before folding in the macaroni.
• Don’t Overmix Meatloaf: Mix the meatloaf ingredients just until combined to ensure a tender texture and prevent it from becoming dense.
• Cheese Quality: Use freshly shredded cheese for the smoothest melting texture in the sauce.

Serving Suggestions

This rich casserole pairs perfectly with light, fresh side dishes to balance the flavor:

• Green Salad: A simple tossed salad with a tangy vinaigrette.
• Roasted Vegetables: Roasted broccoli, asparagus, or green beans tossed with olive oil and garlic.
• Steamed Peas or Corn: A quick, bright vegetable side.

Storage and Make Ahead Tips

• Refrigeration: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Make Ahead: This casserole can be assembled (unbaked), covered, and refrigerated for up to 1 day. Add an extra 5–10 minutes to the second baking time if baking from chilled.
• Reheating: Reheat slices in the microwave or cover the dish with foil and heat in a 300°F (150°C) oven until warmed through.

Emily Garcia

Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole

This is the ultimate comfort food mashup, combining a savory, seasoned meatloaf layer with rich, creamy baked macaroni and cheese. This two-in-one meal is baked until bubbly and golden, offering a hearty and satisfying weeknight dinner with minimal fuss.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Servings: 8 servings

Course: Casserole, Main Dish

Cuisine: American

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 lb Ground Beef (Meatloaf Layer)
• 0.5 cup Onion, diced (Meatloaf Layer)
• 0.5 cup Breadcrumbs (Meatloaf Layer)
• 1 large Egg (Meatloaf Layer)
• 0.25 cup Milk (Meatloaf Layer)
• 1 tsp Salt (Meatloaf Layer)
• 0.5 tsp Pepper (Meatloaf Layer)
• 2 cups Elbow Macaroni, uncooked (Mac and Cheese Layer)
• 2 tbsp Butter (Mac and Cheese Layer)
• 2 tbsp Flour (Mac and Cheese Layer)
• 2 cups Milk (Mac and Cheese Layer)
• 2 cups Cheddar Cheese, shredded (1 1/2 cups for sauce, 1/2 cup for topping)
• 0.5 tsp Salt (for cheese sauce)
• 0.25 tsp Pepper (for cheese sauce)
• 0.5 tsp Paprika (for cheese sauce)
• 0.5 tsp Dry Mustard (for cheese sauce)

Equipment

• 9 x 13 inch baking dish
• Large bowl for meatloaf mixture
• Saucepan for cheese sauce

Method

 

1. Preheat your oven to $350^{circ}text{F}$ ($175^{circ}text{C}$). Grease a $9 times 13$-inch baking dish. In a bowl, combine the ground beef, diced onion, breadcrumbs, egg, $1/4text{ cup}$ milk, salt, and pepper. Mix well (but don’t overmix). Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
2. Bake the meatloaf layer for 20 minutes.
3. While the meatloaf is baking, cook the macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
4. In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in the $2text{ cups}$ of milk and continue to cook, stirring, until the mixture is thickened.
5. Remove the sauce from the heat. Stir in the $1/2text{ tsp}$ salt, $1/4text{ tsp}$ pepper, paprika, dry mustard, and $1 1/2text{ cups}$ of shredded cheese until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth.
6. Stir the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce. Pour this mac and cheese mixture over the partially cooked meatloaf. Sprinkle the remaining $1/2text{ cup}$ of cheese on top.
7. Return the casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 25 minutes or until the top is golden, the sauce is bubbly, and the meatloaf is cooked through.
8. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

To ensure a smooth cheese sauce, use freshly shredded cheese and whisk the roux well. Do not overmix the meatloaf layer, as this can make it dense. To prevent the mac and cheese from drying out during the second bake, consider adding an extra $1/4text{ cup}$ of milk to the cheese sauce. Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Can be assembled and refrigerated unbaked for up to 1 day.

Conclusion

The Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole is the ultimate mashup of comforting flavors. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that simplifies dinner time by combining your main dish and side into one easy bake.