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Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole

This indulgent casserole blends two comfort food staples into one satisfying main dish. A savory ground beef meatloaf forms the base, crowned with creamy, cheesy macaroni and baked to golden perfection.
Print Recipe
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: mac and cheese meatloaf casserole
Prep Time: 18 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 8 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients

  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 pounds of lean ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon granulated garlic
  • 4 cups of a shredded blend of mozzarella and cheddar
  • 1 cup of hickory and brown sugar-style barbecue sauce such as Sweet Baby Ray’s
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon of table salt
  • 2 ounces of dry onion soup seasoning mix
  • 1 tablespoon onion granules
  • 1 cup of classic ketchup
  • 30 crushed buttery round crackers e.g., Ritz
  • 10.5 ounces of condensed cheddar-style soup
  • 3 cups dry elbow macaroni
  • 2 cups whole milk

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set aside.
  • In a medium bowl, combine the ketchup and barbecue sauce until evenly blended. Reserve for later use.
  • Place the lean ground beef into a large mixing bowl. Crush the crackers in a sealed plastic bag using a rolling pin, then add the crumbs to the beef.
  • Incorporate the dry onion soup mix and crack the eggs directly into the bowl. Add ½ cup of the prepared ketchup-barbecue mixture.
  • Using clean hands, knead the ingredients together until fully integrated. Press this mixture evenly into the greased baking dish to form the meatloaf base.
  • Spread the remaining ketchup-barbecue sauce mixture across the top of the meatloaf layer.
  • Bake the meatloaf uncovered for 30 minutes.
  • While the meatloaf is baking, cook the elbow macaroni according to the instructions on the package. Drain thoroughly.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the milk and condensed cheddar soup until smooth and free of lumps.
  • Add the salt, pepper, garlic, and onion powder into the mixture, whisking again until incorporated.
  • Stir the drained macaroni into the sauce, coating all noodles evenly. Mix in 2 cups of the shredded cheese blend until well distributed.
  • Once the meatloaf has finished its initial bake, remove it from the oven. Spoon the macaroni mixture over the meatloaf and spread it out evenly.
  • Sprinkle the remaining 2 cups of shredded cheese across the surface.
  • Return the casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 17–20 minutes, or until the cheese topping is melted and beginning to brown.
  • Allow the dish to rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving.