Description
Comforting mac and cheese meatloaf casserole blends classic American comfort foods into one hearty dish. Creamy pasta and savory ground beef merge perfectly, creating a crowd-pleasing meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 1 pound (1 lb) ground beef
- 1 whole egg
Starch and Binding:
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 box macaroni and cheese
Seasonings and Liquids:
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons butter
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 350°F, ensuring a consistent temperature for even cooking.
- Combine ground beef with breadcrumbs, ketchup, beaten egg, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a spacious mixing bowl, blending thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Transfer the meat mixture into a baking dish, carefully pressing and smoothing it to create an uniform base layer with no air pockets.
- Prepare macaroni and cheese using package directions, ensuring a creamy and well-mixed consistency.
- Gently spread the prepared mac and cheese over the meat mixture, creating a complete and even top layer that covers the entire surface.
- Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 30 minutes, checking that the meatloaf reaches a safe internal temperature of 160°F.
- Remove from oven and allow the casserole to rest for 5-7 minutes, which helps the layers set and makes serving easier.
- Slice into portions and serve immediately while the dish is hot and the cheese remains melted and appetizing.
Notes
- Swap traditional breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or crushed gluten-free crackers for a celiac-friendly version.
- Choose lean ground beef or ground turkey to reduce overall fat content and create a healthier protein base.
- Add diced vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini into the meat mixture to boost nutritional value and enhance flavor complexity.
- Consider topping the mac and cheese layer with crispy bacon bits or crushed cheese crackers for extra texture and taste dimension.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg