After seeing this recipe, I am never making this any other way again!
Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole
A deliciously hearty fusion of creamy mac and cheese layered over savory BBQ-glazed meatloaf. This all-in-one dish is pure comfort on a plate — perfect for cozy family dinners.
Ingredients
Meatloaf Base
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Ketchup | 1 cup |
| Sweet Baby Ray’s Hickory & Brown Sugar BBQ Sauce | 1 cup |
| Lean ground beef | 2 pounds |
| Ritz crackers (crushed) | About 30 |
| Dry onion soup mix (Lipton) | 2 oz |
| Eggs | 2 |
| Salt | 1 tsp |
| Black pepper | 1 tsp |
| Garlic powder | 1 tbsp |
| Onion powder | 1 tbsp |
Mac and Cheese Layer
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Milk | 2 cups |
| Condensed cheddar cheese soup | 10.5 oz |
| Elbow macaroni (uncooked) | 3 cups |
| Seasonings (use reserved salt, pepper, garlic & onion powder) | To taste |
Toppings
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Reserved BBQ-ketchup sauce | ½ cup |
| Shredded cheddar & mozzarella cheese blend | 4 cups total (2 cups for mac & cheese, 2 cups for topping) |
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat Oven
Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking pan.
Step 2: Make the Sauce
In a bowl, combine the ketchup and BBQ sauce. You’ll use half now and save the rest for later.
Step 3: Prepare Meatloaf Mixture
In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, crushed crackers, onion soup mix, eggs, ½ cup of the ketchup-BBQ blend, and all the seasonings. Mix thoroughly until the ingredients are fully blended.
Step 4: Press and Glaze
Evenly spread the meatloaf mixture into the bottom of your prepared dish. Top with the remaining ½ cup of sauce mixture, spreading it out smoothly.
Step 5: Bake Meatloaf Layer
Bake in the oven for 30 minutes.
Step 6: Cook Macaroni
While the meatloaf is baking, cook the macaroni according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
Step 7: Make the Cheese Sauce
In a large bowl, whisk the milk and condensed cheese soup together until smooth. Fold in the cooked macaroni, 2 cups of shredded cheese, and a bit of seasoning to taste.
Step 8: Assemble the Casserole
Remove the meatloaf from the oven after 30 minutes. Spoon the mac and cheese mixture evenly over the meatloaf base.
Step 9: Final Cheese Layer & Bake
Sprinkle the remaining 2 cups of shredded cheese over the mac layer. Return to the oven and bake for 17–20 more minutes, until the top is bubbling and golden brown.
Step 10: Cool & Serve
Let the casserole rest for a few minutes before cutting into portions. Serve warm and enjoy this ultimate comfort dish!
