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Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole

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You know when two amazing things come together, and you’re like, “Why didn’t I think of that before?” That’s exactly what happens when you combine the gooey, cheesy goodness of mac and cheese with the hearty, savory flavors of meatloaf.

Ingredients

For the Meatloaf Layer:

  • Ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork for extra flavor): 1.5 lbs
  • Eggs: 2 large
  • Breadcrumbs: 1 cup (panko works too!)
  • Milk: 1/4 cup
  • Ketchup: 1/3 cup
  • Worcestershire sauce: 2 tbsp
  • Onion: 1 small, finely chopped
  • Garlic: 2 cloves, minced
  • Salt and pepper: To taste

For the Mac and Cheese Layer:

  • Elbow macaroni: 2 cups (or any small pasta shape)
  • Cheddar cheese: 2 cups shredded (sharp is best!)
  • Parmesan cheese: 1/2 cup grated
  • Milk: 2 cups
  • Butter: 2 tbsp
  • Flour: 2 tbsp
  • Salt and pepper: To taste
  • Paprika (optional, for a smoky kick): 1/2 tsp

Instructions

1. Prep Your Meatloaf Base

  • Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, eggs, breadcrumbs, milk, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, onion, garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix it all up with your hands—yes, it’s messy, but trust me, it’s the best way to get everything combined evenly.
  • Press the meat mixture into an even layer in the bottom of your casserole dish.

2. Cook the Macaroni

  • Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the macaroni until it’s just al dente. (Pro tip: Undercook it a bit since it’ll bake later.)
  • Drain and set aside.

3. Make the Cheese Sauce

  • In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute until it forms a paste.
  • Slowly pour in the milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Cook until the sauce thickens slightly, about 3-5 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and stir in the cheddar and Parmesan cheese until melted. Season with salt, pepper, and paprika if using.

4. Assemble the Casserole

  • Pour the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce and mix well.
  • Spread the mac and cheese evenly over the meatloaf layer in the casserole dish.

5. Bake to Perfection

  • Cover the casserole with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly.

Notes

  1. Add a crunchy topping: Sprinkle some breadcrumbs mixed with butter on top of the mac and cheese layer for extra texture.
  2. Use quality cheese: Pre-shredded cheese is convenient, but freshly grated cheese melts so much better.
  3. Let it rest: Like lasagna, this casserole tastes even better if you let it sit for 5-10 minutes before slicing.

Nutrition

Keywords: Cheesy meatloaf casserole, macaroni and cheese meatloaf, mac and meatloaf bake, comfort food casserole

Find it online: https://recipesandchill.com/mac-and-cheese-meatloaf-casserole/