Mac & Cheese Meatloaf Casserole
Creamy mac & cheese meets juicy meatloaf in one unforgettable casserole.
🍽️ Mac & Cheese Meatloaf Casserole
A viral comfort-food casserole that layers creamy mac & cheese with juicy, flavorful meatloaf — baked together into the ultimate family dinner. Cheesy, hearty, and insanely delicious! 😍🔥
⭐ Recipe Overview
🍴 Servings: 6–8
⏱️ Prep Time: 10 minutes
🔥 Cook Time: 35–40 minutes
🍲 Total Time: 45–50 minutes
⭐ Difficulty: Easy
📌 Category: Casserole, Dinner, Comfort Food
🧂 Ingredients
For the Meatloaf Layer
1 ½ lbs ground beef
1 egg
½ cup breadcrumbs
½ cup milk
1 small onion, diced
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
½ cup ketchup (plus extra for topping)
For the Mac & Cheese Layer
3 cups cooked macaroni (or shells)
2 cups shredded cheddar
1 cup milk
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp flour
½ tsp mustard powder (optional — adds flavor!)
½ tsp paprika
Pinch of salt & pepper
🔪 Tools You’ll Need
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🥄 Mixing bowls
🥘 9×13 baking dish
🧀 Cheese grater
🍳 Skillet or saucepan
🍗 Meat thermometer
🎛️ Measuring cups & spoons
🥣 Instructions
Step 1 — Preheat
Preheat oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13 casserole dish.
Step 2 — Make the Meatloaf Base
In a large bowl, combine:
ground beef
egg
breadcrumbs
milk
onion
garlic powder
onion powder
Worcestershire
salt & pepper
Mix gently — don’t overwork it.
Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of your casserole dish.
Spread a thin layer of ketchup on top.
Bake 15 minutes to partially cook.
Step 3 — Make the Homemade Mac & Cheese
While the meatloaf bakes:
Melt butter in a pot
Whisk in flour to form a roux
Add milk and whisk until creamy
Stir in cheese, paprika, mustard powder, salt & pepper
Mix in cooked macaroni
(OR you can use boxed mac & cheese to save time — Pinterest moms love this shortcut!)
Step 4 — Layer the Casserole
Remove meatloaf from oven.
Spread the mac & cheese evenly on top.
Sprinkle extra cheddar over the top.
Step 5 — Bake
Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, until:
✔ cheese is melted & golden
✔ edges are bubbly
✔ internal temp is 160°F (meatloaf fully cooked)
Step 6 — Serve
Let rest 5–10 minutes before slicing like a layered casserole.
Comfort food HEAVEN. 😍🔥
💡 Tips
Add bacon for extra flavor
Use pepper jack for spicy mac
Swap ground beef for turkey
Drizzle BBQ sauce instead of ketchup
Add onion rings on top for crunch
❄️ Storage
Refrigerate: 3–4 days
Freeze: Up to 2 months
Reheat: 350°F for 15 minutes
Gallery
Snapshots of our cheesy, meaty casserole magic.
FAQs
What is this?
It’s a cozy casserole layering mac & cheese with juicy meatloaf.
How long to bake?
Bake at 350°F for about 45 minutes until bubbly and golden on top.
Can I make it ahead?
Yes! Assemble it the day before, cover tightly, and bake fresh when ready.
Is it kid-friendly?
Absolutely, kids love the cheesy, meaty layers and comforting flavors.
Can I freeze it?
Yes, freeze before baking and thaw overnight in the fridge.
What sides go well with it?
Try a crisp green salad or steamed veggies to balance the rich casserole.
This mac & cheese meatloaf casserole is pure comfort in every bite—my family asks for it every week!
Amy K.
★★★★★