This mac and cheese meatloaf casserole happened when Oliver asked if we could have meatloaf and mac and cheese for dinner on the same night, and I realized I could just combine them into one dish. What started as a way to make my seven-year-old happy turned into our family's most requested comfort food mashup. It's basically two of the most beloved comfort foods getting together and creating something even better than either one alone.
Why You'll Love This Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole
I've made this mac and cheese meatloaf casserole for picky eaters, comfort food lovers, and even people who claim they don't like meatloaf - everyone ends up going back for seconds. It solves that whole dinner problem of "what goes with what" because it's literally everything you need in one dish. Oliver's friends always ask if we're having "the special dinner" when they come over, and I've had other parents text me asking for the recipe after their kids go home talking about it nonstop.
What I really love is how it makes weeknight dinners feel special without needing any fancy skills or ingredients. You're basically just making meatloaf and Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole, but putting them together creates this whole new thing that feels like you put way more effort into it than you actually did. Plus, it's one of those meals where everyone gets full and happy, and there are usually leftovers for lunch the next day. The combination of creamy, cheesy pasta with seasoned ground beef hits all the comfort food buttons at once.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole
- Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole Ingredients
- Step By Step Method
- Smart Swaps for Your Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole
- Storage Tips
- Equipment For Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole
- Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole Variations
- Top Tip
- FAQ
- The Ultimate Comfort Food Mashup
- Related
- Pairing
- Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole
Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole Ingredients
For the Meatloaf Layer:
- Ground beef
- Breadcrumbs
- Eggs
- Diced onion
- Garlic powder
- Salt and pepper
- Worcestershire sauce
- Ketchup
For the Mac and Cheese:
- Elbow macaroni
- Butter
- All-purpose flour
- Milk
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Cream cheese
- Salt and pepper
The Topping:
- Extra shredded cheese
- Paprika
- Breadcrumbs (optional)
See recipe card for quantities.
Step By Step Method
This looks complicated but it's really just making two simple things and layering them together:
Getting Started:
- Preheat oven to 375°F
- Grease your 9x13 baking dish
- Boil water for pasta
- Get all ingredients ready
Making the Meatloaf Layer:
- Combine ground beef with breadcrumbs
- Add beaten eggs and diced onion
- Season with garlic powder, salt, pepper
- Add Worcestershire and a little ketchup
- Mix gently - don't overwork it
Cook the Base:
- Press meat mixture into bottom of baking dish
- Bake for 20 minutes
- Drain any grease that accumulates
Making the Mac and Cheese:
- Boil elbow macaroni until almost done
- Drain but don't rinse
- Set aside
Make Cheese Sauce:
- Melt butter in large pot
- Whisk in flour, cook 1 minute
- Slowly add milk, whisking constantly
- Add cream cheese and let it melt
- Stir in shredded cheese until smooth
- Season with salt and pepper
Assembly Time:
- Mix cooked pasta with cheese sauce
- Spread over the partially cooked meatloaf
- Top with extra shredded cheese
- Sprinkle with paprika
Final Bake:
- Back in oven for 25-30 minutes
- Look for bubbly and golden top
- Let rest 10 minutes before serving
Smart Swaps for Your Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole
From making this Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole with whatever I had on hand, these substitutions work really well:
Meat Options:
- Ground beef → Ground turkey (leaner but still tasty)
- Regular beef → Ground chuck (more flavor)
- Plain → Italian sausage (remove from casings)
- Beef → Half beef, half pork (richer flavor)
Pasta Swaps:
- Elbow macaroni → Shells or penne
- Regular → Whole wheat pasta
- Standard → Gluten-free pasta
- Small → Medium pasta shapes
Cheese Changes:
- Cheddar → Colby Jack
- Sharp cheddar → Mild cheddar
- Regular → Mexican cheese blend
- Single cheese → Mix of cheddar and mozzarella
Sauce Alternatives:
- Milk → Heavy cream (richer)
- Regular milk → Evaporated milk
- Cream cheese → More shredded cheese
- Butter → Margarine
Breadcrumb Options:
- Regular → Panko breadcrumbs
- Plain → Seasoned breadcrumbs
- Store-bought → Crushed crackers
- Breadcrumbs → Crushed cornflakes
Storage Tips
This Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole is great for meal prep and reheats really well, which makes it perfect for busy weeks:
Make-Ahead Tips:
- Assemble everything up to the final baking step
- Cover tightly with foil and refrigerate overnight
- Add 15-20 minutes to baking time if going straight from fridge
- Perfect for Sunday meal prep
Leftover Storage:
- Cover and refrigerate up to 4 days
- Cut into portions for easy reheating
- Microwave individual pieces for 2-3 minutes
- Or reheat whole thing in 350°F oven for 20 minutes
Freezer Storage:
- Freezes well for up to 3 months
- Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then foil
- Thaw overnight in fridge before reheating
- The pasta texture changes slightly but still tastes good
Reheating Tips:
- Add a splash of milk if it seems dry
- Cover with foil to prevent over-browning
- Heat until center is steaming hot
- Let it rest 5 minutes before serving
Equipment For Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole
- 9x13 baking dish
- Large pot for boiling pasta
- Medium saucepan for cheese sauce
- Large mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole Variations
Bacon Lovers:
- Add crumbled bacon to meatloaf layer
- Mix bacon bits into mac and cheese
- Top with more bacon pieces
- Oliver's absolute favorite version
Veggie Sneaky:
- Hide diced carrots in the meatloaf
- Add frozen peas to the mac and cheese
- Mix in some corn kernels
- Kids don't even notice the vegetables
Spicy Kick:
- Add diced jalapeños to meatloaf
- Use pepper jack cheese
- Top with crushed red pepper
- Not too hot but adds good flavor
Mexican Style:
- Season meatloaf with taco seasoning
- Use Mexican cheese blend
- Add diced green chiles
- Serve with salsa on the side
Loaded Version:
- Add diced bell peppers to meatloaf
- Mix in chopped green onions
- Top with crushed potato chips
- Like loaded potato skins in casserole form
Top Tip
- I usually make this on Sunday and portion it out for easy weeknight dinners. Oliver loves having his own personal containers that he can just heat up when he gets home from school. It's become our Sunday routine - I'll make a big batch while doing laundry or cleaning, and then we have comfort food ready to go for the whole week. The flavors actually get better after a day in the fridge, and having individual portions means everyone can eat when they're hungry without waiting for the whole thing to reheat.
- What I've learned is that this Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole is one of those rare dishes that tastes just as good reheated as it does fresh. The meatloaf stays moist, the cheese sauce doesn't get weird, and the pasta doesn't turn to mush like some casseroles do. Oliver's friends are always jealous when he pulls out his container at lunch because it looks and smells so much better than regular cafeteria food.
- The other thing I love about meal prepping this Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole is how it makes those crazy weeknight dinners so much easier. Instead of scrambling to figure out what to cook after a long day, we just grab a container from the fridge and heat it up. It's real comfort food that doesn't require any thinking or planning on busy nights.
FAQ
Is mac and cheese a good side dish for meatloaf?
Mac and cheese is a classic side dish for meatloaf! The creamy, cheesy pasta balances the savory meat perfectly. That's actually how this casserole recipe came about - I was making both dishes so often together that I decided to just combine them into one dish.
What is in Paula Deen's meatloaf?
Paula Deen's meatloaf typically includes ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, onion, and her signature seasonings. While this casserole uses similar meatloaf basics, it's combined with homemade mac and cheese for a completely different comfort food experience that feeds more people.
What is the best melting cheese for mac and cheese?
Sharp cheddar is my go-to because it melts smoothly and has great flavor. I also add cream cheese to make it extra creamy. Avoid pre-shredded cheese if you can - block cheese that you grate yourself melts much better and doesn't have those anti-caking agents.
Can I just add ground beef to mac and cheese?
You could, but this casserole is different because the meatloaf layer is properly seasoned and formed, then the mac and cheese goes on top. Just stirring ground beef into mac and cheese won't give you the same layered effect and rich flavors that make this dish special.
The Ultimate Comfort Food Mashup
You now have all the secrets to making mac and cheese meatloaf casserole that combines two beloved comfort foods into one incredible dish. This hearty, satisfying meal proves that sometimes the best recipes come from just putting together things you already love. It's become our family's go-to dinner when we want something that feels special but doesn't require fancy ingredients or complicated techniques.
Craving more comfort food classics? Try our Healthy Black Forest Cake Recipe that gives you all the chocolate cherry goodness without the guilt. Our Easy Hashbrown Casserole Recipe is perfect for rounding out any meal with creamy, cheesy potato perfection. And don't miss The Best Green Bean Casserole Recipe that's become a holiday table staple in our house!
Share your Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole success! We love seeing your creative takes on this family favorite!
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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 Meatloaf Casserole
Equipment
- 1 9x13 baking dish (Greased)
- 1 Large pot (For boiling pasta)
- 1 Medium saucepan (For making cheese sauce)
- 1 Large mixing bowl (For meatloaf mixture)
- 1 Whisk (For smooth cheese sauce)
- Measuring cups/spoons
Ingredients
Meatloaf Layer
- 1.5 lb Ground beef - Or ground turkey, pork, etc.
- 1 cup Breadcrumbs - Or panko/crushed crackers
- 2 Eggs - Beaten
- 1 cup Onion - Diced
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Pepper
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoon Ketchup
Mac and Cheese
- 12 oz Elbow macaroni - Or shells, penne, gluten-free
- 3 tablespoon Butter
- 3 tablespoon All-purpose flour
- 2.5 cup Milk - Or heavy cream
- 2 oz Cream cheese - Optional but adds creaminess
- 2 cup Cheddar cheese - Shredded, freshly grated
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Pepper
Topping
- 1 cup Shredded cheese - Extra topping
- 0.5 teaspoon Paprika - For color and mild spice
- 0.5 cup Breadcrumbs - Optional, for crunch
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F, grease the baking dish, and prepare all ingredients including boiling water for pasta.
- Combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, onion, seasonings, Worcestershire, and ketchup to make the meatloaf mixture.
- Press meatloaf into the dish and bake for 20 minutes; drain any excess grease.
- Cook pasta until almost done, and make cheese sauce by combining butter, flour, milk, cream cheese, and shredded cheese.
- Layer mac and cheese over baked meatloaf, top with cheese and paprika, bake again until bubbly and golden; let rest before serving.
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