This mac and cheese meatloaf casserole happened because I got tired of making two separate dinners when Emma wanted mac and cheese and I wanted something more filling. After a few disasters where I tried to just throw everything together, I figured out how to layer these two comfort foods so they actually taste good together instead of like a weird mess. Now it's our go-to when we can't decide what to make for dinner.
Why You'll Love This Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole
This casserole fixes the biggest problem with weeknight dinners - making everyone happy with one dish. Emma gets his beloved mac and cheese meatloaf casserole, I get something that actually fills me up, and we both get something that tastes way better than anything from a box. It's like having meatloaf and mac and cheese at the same time without having to make two separate things.
The best part? You can prep the whole thing ahead of time and just stick it in the oven when you get home. No more standing at the stove stirring cheese sauce while trying to keep an eye on meatloaf in the oven. Everything cooks together, and somehow the flavors make each other better. Emma says it's "like a hug in a pan," and honestly, that's pretty much what it is.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole
- Ingredients for Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole
- How To Make Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole Step By Step
- Storage Tips
- Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole Variations
- Equipment For Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole
- Substitutions
- My Aunt's Secret Recipe That Changed Everything
- Top Tip
- Why This Recipe Works
- FAQ
- Time for Dinner Success!
- Related
- Pairing
- Mac And Cheese Meets Meatloaf
Ingredients for Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole
For the Meatloaf Layer:
- Ground beef
- Breadcrumbs
- Eggs
- Onion
- Garlic
- Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper
- Ketchup
For the Mac and Cheese:
- Elbow macaroni
- Butter
- Flour
- Milk
- Sharp cheddar cheese
- Cream cheese
- Salt and pepper
- Paprika
For the Top:
- Extra shredded cheese
- Breadcrumbs
- Butter
See recipe card for quantities.
How To Make Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole Step By Step
Getting Ready:
- Heat oven to 350°F
- Grease your 9x13 baking dish
- Cook pasta until just shy of done (it'll finish in the oven)
- Drain and set aside
Make the Meatloaf Layer:
- Mix ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, chopped onion, and garlic
- Add Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper
- Press into bottom of baking dish
- Spread ketchup on top
- Bake 20 minutes
Make the Cheese Sauce:
- Melt butter in a pot
- Whisk in flour and cook for a minute
- Slowly add milk, whisking constantly
- Add cheeses and stir until melted
- Season with salt, pepper, and paprika
Put It Together:
- Bake 25-30 minutes until bubbly and golden
- Mix cooked pasta with cheese sauce
- Spread over the meatloaf layer
- Top with extra cheese and breadcrumbs
Storage Tips
Counter Storage:
- Don't leave it out more than 2 hours
- Cover with foil if you're serving it buffet-style
- Put leftovers in the fridge right away
Fridge Storage (3-4 days):
- Cool completely before covering
- Store in the baking dish or transfer to containers
- Reheat in 350°F oven for 20 minutes
- Add a splash of milk if it looks dry
Freezer Storage (2-3 months):
- Cool completely and wrap tight
- Label with date and contents
- Thaw overnight in fridge before reheating
- Might be a little watery after thawing but still tastes good
Make-Ahead Tips:
- Put the whole thing together and refrigerate up to 24 hours
- Add 10 extra minutes to baking time if it's cold from the fridge
- Don't freeze before baking - the pasta gets weird
Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole Variations
Bacon Mac and Cheese Meatloaf:
- Cook bacon and crumble it into the meatloaf mix
- Save some bacon bits for the top
- Use the bacon fat instead of some butter
- Emma goes crazy for this version
Mexican Style:
- Add taco seasoning to the meatloaf
- Use pepper jack cheese instead of cheddar
- Top with crushed tortilla chips
- Serve with salsa and sour cream
Pizza Style:
- Add Italian seasoning to the meatloaf
- Use mozzarella cheese
- Top with pepperoni slices
- Kids love this one
Veggie Packed:
- Add diced bell peppers and mushrooms to the meatloaf
- Mix frozen peas into the mac and cheese
- Use whole wheat pasta
- Good for sneaking vegetables into picky eaters
Equipment For Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole
- 9x13 inch baking dish
- Large pot for pasta
- Medium saucepan for cheese sauce
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Wooden spoon
Substitutions
For the Meat:
- Ground beef → Ground turkey (add extra seasoning)
- Regular beef → Lean ground beef
- Ground meat → Plant-based ground meat
- Fresh → Frozen (thaw first)
For the Cheese:
- Sharp cheddar → Mild cheddar or colby
- Cream cheese → Greek yogurt
- Regular cheese → Reduced-fat cheese
- Dairy cheese → Dairy-free cheese
For the Pasta:
- Elbow macaroni → Shells or penne
- Regular pasta → Gluten-free pasta
- White pasta → Whole wheat pasta
For Healthier Options:
- Whole milk → 2% or skim milk
- Regular breadcrumbs → Panko breadcrumbs
- Butter → Olive oil or less butter
My Aunt's Secret Recipe That Changed Everything
My aunt figured out something brilliant about this mac and cheese meatloaf casserole when she was trying to feed her four kids on a tight budget back in the 80s. Instead of making the cheese sauce from scratch, she'd cook the pasta in milk instead of water, then just add the cheese directly to the hot, milky pasta. It sounds weird, but it works. She'd also mix a packet of onion soup mix into the meatloaf instead of chopping fresh onions. "Why make more work for yourself?" she'd say.
Her kids never knew they were eating what was basically leftovers thrown together - they thought it was some fancy dinner. The best part of her trick was using leftover mashed potatoes on top instead of breadcrumbs. She'd spread a thin layer over the cheese, and it would get all crispy and golden. Now whenever I have leftover mashed potatoes, I think of her and use them on top of this casserole.
Top Tip
- The secret to this mac and cheese meatloaf casserole working right is all about the timing and layering. Most people mess this up by trying to cook everything at once, but the meatloaf needs a head start or it won't be done when the pasta part is ready. By baking the meat layer first, it gets firm enough to hold up the mac and cheese without everything turning into mush.
- The other trick is not overcooking the pasta before it goes in the oven. It seems wrong to put slightly undercooked noodles in there, but they soak up the cheese sauce and finish cooking while everything bakes together. If you cook the pasta all the way first, it gets mushy and gross. Emma learned this the hard way when he tried to "help" and cooked the pasta for way too long - we ended up with mac and cheese meatloaf casserole soup on top of meatloaf.
Why This Recipe Works
The secret to this mac and cheese meatloaf casserole working so well is all about the timing and layering. Most people mess this up by trying to cook everything at once, but the meatloaf needs a head start or it won't be done when the pasta part is ready. By baking the meat layer first, it gets firm enough to support the mac and cheese meatloaf casserole without everything turning into mush.
The other trick is not overcooking the pasta before it goes in the oven. It seems wrong to put slightly undercooked noodles in there, but they soak up the cheese sauce and finish cooking perfectly while everything bakes together. If you cook the pasta all the way first, it gets mushy and gross. Emma learned this the hard way when he tried to "help" and cooked the pasta for way too long - we ended up with mac and cheese soup on top of meatloaf.
FAQ
What is in Paula Deen's meatloaf?
Paula Deen's meatloaf usually has ground beef, eggs, breadcrumbs, onion, and her seasonings like garlic powder and Worcestershire sauce. She often adds a brown sugar glaze on top. Our casserole uses similar meatloaf ingredients but layers mac and cheese meatloaf casserole on top instead of just glazing it.
What is the best cheese mix for mac and cheese?
For this casserole, sharp cheddar works best because it melts smoothly and has good flavor. You can add some cream cheese to make it extra creamy. Don't use pre-shredded cheese if you can help it - it has stuff on it that makes it not melt as well.
What does Gordon Ramsay put in his mac and cheese meatloaf casserole?
Gordon Ramsay uses a mix of cheeses like cheddar and gruyere, plus he makes a cheese sauce with butter and flour. He also adds mustard powder for extra flavor. Our version is way simpler but still tastes great for a weeknight dinner.
What is the secret to tasty meatloaf?
The secret is not overmixing the meat and adding enough moisture with eggs and breadcrumbs. Don't pack it too tight or it gets dense. Also, let it rest after baking so the juices don't run out when you cut it.
Time for Dinner Success!
Now you know how to make this mac and cheese meatloaf casserole without it turning into a disaster. This one-dish dinner has saved me from so many "what's for dinner?" moments when Emma and I couldn't agree on what to make.
Try our Delicious Gazpacho Recipe for hot summer nights when you don't want to turn on the oven. Need something quick and healthy? Our Healthy Chicken Quesadilla Recipe is ready in 15 minutes. For something more filling, our Best French Dip Sandwich Recipe hits the spot every time.
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Related
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Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole
Mac And Cheese Meets Meatloaf
Equipment
- 1 9x13 baking dish (Greased)
- 1 Large pot (For boiling pasta)
- 1 Medium saucepan (For cheese sauce)
- 1 Large mixing bowl (For meatloaf mixture)
- 1 Whisk
- 1 Wooden spoon or spatula
Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground beef
- 1 cup Breadcrumbs
- 2 Eggs
- ½ cup Onion - chopped
- 2 cloves Garlic - minced
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Salt - Divided
- ½ teaspoon Black pepper - Divided
- ½ cup Ketchup
- 8 oz Elbow macaroni - ~2 cups dry
- 2 tablespoon Butter
- 2 tablespoon All-purpose flour
- 2 cups Milk - Whole or 2%
- 2 cups Sharp cheddar shredded
- 4 oz Cream cheese - Room temperature
- ½ teaspoon Paprika
- 1 cup Extra shredded cheese - For topping
- ½ cup Breadcrumbs - For topping
- 2 tablespoon Butter melted - For topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease the baking dish
- Combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, onion, and seasonings
- Whisk butter, flour, milk, and cheeses into a smooth sauce
- Press meatloaf, spread sauce, and top with macaroni
- Bake until cheese is bubbly and edges are golden brown
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