Hearty Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole

Some nights, you just want to combine all your favorite comfort foods into one dish. That’s exactly what happened when I decided to mix two family classics – meatloaf and mac and cheese – into this cozy casserole. My kids always ask for mac and cheese, while my husband’s a meatloaf fan, so I figured why not make everyone happy?

I love how this recipe lets me prepare dinner without dirtying every pot and pan in my kitchen. While the pasta cooks, I mix up the meatloaf, and before I know it, everything comes together in one baking dish. It’s the kind of meal that makes the whole house smell good and brings everyone to the table without having to call twice.

Whether you’re looking for a new take on your usual weeknight dinner or need something that’ll give you leftovers for lunch tomorrow, this combo is a real winner. Trust me, once you try mac and cheese meatloaf casserole, you might never want to make them separately again.

What Kind of Ground Beef Should I Use?

For a meatloaf that’s both flavorful and juicy, you’ll want to think carefully about your ground beef choice. An 80/20 blend (that’s 80% lean meat to 20% fat) is typically your best bet for meatloaf – it has enough fat to keep things moist but won’t make your dish greasy. If you go with a leaner mix like 90/10, your meatloaf might end up a bit dry, while a higher fat content could make it too greasy and cause it to shrink more during cooking. When you’re at the store, look for meat that’s bright red in color and feels slightly firm but not hard. If you’re buying pre-packaged ground beef, check that there isn’t excess liquid in the package, as this could mean it’s been sitting around too long.

Options for Substitutions

This comfort food mashup is pretty flexible with substitutions. Here’s what you can swap:

• Ground beef: You can use ground turkey or a mix of ground pork and beef for a different flavor. If using turkey, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to keep it moist.
• Ritz crackers: Any butter crackers work well here, or try plain breadcrumbs, crushed saltines, or even quick oats as a binder.
• Lipton onion soup mix: No soup mix? Mix 2 tablespoons of dried onion flakes with 1 teaspoon each of garlic powder and beef bouillon powder.
• Elbow macaroni: Any short pasta works – try shells, penne, or rotini. Just cook according to package directions.
• Cheddar cheese soup: You can make your own cheese sauce using 4 tablespoons butter, 4 tablespoons flour, 2 cups milk, and 2 cups shredded cheese.
• Cheese blend: Feel free to mix up the cheeses – Colby jack, Monterey jack, or mild cheddar all work great. Just keep the total amount the same.
• Ketchup and BBQ sauce: You can use all ketchup or all BBQ sauce, or try a mix of ketchup with brown sugar and Worcestershire sauce for a homemade twist.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest challenge when making mac and cheese meatloaf casserole is preventing the meatloaf from becoming too dense and dry – mixing the meat mixture with a light hand and stopping once ingredients are just combined will give you a tender result.

Another common mistake is overcooking the pasta before it goes into the casserole – aim for slightly underdone (about 2 minutes less than package directions) since it will continue cooking in the oven with the cheese sauce.

To avoid a greasy final dish, be sure to drain any excess fat from the meatloaf after it’s partially cooked and before adding the mac and cheese layer, and consider using lean ground beef (85/15) for the best balance of flavor and texture.

For the creamiest cheese sauce, warm your milk slightly before mixing it with the cheese soup, and stir the sauce frequently while it heats to prevent it from becoming grainy or separating.

What to Serve With Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole?

Since this casserole is already packed with hearty meat and pasta, you’ll want to balance it out with some lighter sides. A simple green vegetable like steamed broccoli or roasted green beans works perfectly alongside this rich dish. I love serving a crisp garden salad with a tangy vinaigrette dressing to cut through the creamy, savory flavors of the casserole. For an extra veggie boost, some honey-glazed carrots or sautéed mushrooms would round out the meal nicely – plus they’re easy enough to prepare while the casserole is in the oven.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: This mac and cheese meatloaf casserole is perfect for leftovers! Pop it in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to 4 days. The flavors actually get even better as they meld together overnight, making it a great make-ahead meal for busy weeknights.

Freeze: Want to save some for later? Let the casserole cool completely, then portion it into freezer-safe containers. It’ll keep well in the freezer for up to 3 months. I like to divide it into family-sized portions, making it super easy to pull out for a quick dinner.

Reheat: To warm up your casserole, cover it with foil and pop it in the oven at 350°F for about 20-25 minutes, or until heated through. For single servings, the microwave works great too – just heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each, until it’s nice and hot. Add a splash of milk if the pasta seems a bit dry.

Preparation Time	20-30 minutes
Cooking Time	47-48 minutes
Total Time	67-78 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Medium

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 3000-3500
• Protein: 150-180 g
• Fat: 180-220 g
• Carbohydrates: 250-300 g

Ingredients

• 1 cup ketchup
• 1 cup barbecue sauce
• 2 pounds ground beef
• 1 sleeve crushed ritz crackers
• 1 packet lipton onion soup mix
• 1 medium diced sweet onion
• 2 eggs
• 3 cups elbow macaroni
• 2 (10.5 oz) cans cheddar cheese soup
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1 package shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 package shredded mozzarella cheese

Step 1: Prepare Sauce and Meat Mixture

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup of ketchup and 1 cup of barbecue sauce and set this mixture aside.

In a large bowl, mix together 2 pounds of ground beef, 1 sleeve of crushed Ritz crackers, 1 packet of Lipton onion soup mix, 1 medium diced sweet onion, and 2 eggs until everything is well incorporated.

Add half of the ketchup and barbecue sauce mixture to the beef mixture and continue mixing until combined.

Step 2: Assemble and Bake the Meatloaf

Transfer the meat mixture into a 9×13 baking dish, spreading it evenly to the edges to form a uniform layer.

Pour the remaining ketchup and barbecue sauce mixture over the top of the meatloaf, evenly spreading it across the surface with a spatula or spoon.

Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes.

Step 3: Cook the Macaroni and Make the Cheese Sauce

While the meatloaf is baking, bring a pot of water to a boil and cook about 3 cups of elbow macaroni until al dente.

Drain the pasta well and set it aside.

In a separate bowl, combine 2 cans (10.5 oz each) of cheddar cheese soup with 2 cups of whole milk.

If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can use half and half or heavy cream instead of milk.

Add 1 teaspoon of black pepper and 1 teaspoon of garlic salt to the cheese mixture and whisk until the sauce is smooth and all ingredients are well combined.

Step 4: Combine Macaroni with Cheese Sauce

Pour the prepared cheese sauce over the cooked and drained macaroni and mix gently until the pasta is evenly coated.

Stir in half of a package of shredded cheddar cheese and half of a package of shredded mozzarella cheese into the macaroni mixture, ensuring the cheeses melt into the sauce.

Step 5: Layer and Final Bake

Once the meatloaf has baked for the initial 30 minutes, remove it from the oven and carefully layer the cheesy macaroni evenly over the top of the meatloaf.

Sprinkle the remaining cheddar and mozzarella cheese over the macaroni layer.

Return the baking dish to the oven and continue to bake for an additional 17 to 18 minutes, or until the top cheese is melted and has turned slightly golden brown.

Step 6: Cool and Serve

Once baked to perfection, remove the dish from the oven and allow it to cool slightly before serving.

Cut into squares and serve this hearty meatloaf and macaroni delight.

Enjoy your meal!