Description

Meatloaf Mac Casserole is a hearty, comforting dish combining classic meatloaf flavors with creamy, cheesy macaroni. This layered casserole features seasoned ground beef topped with a tangy ketchup-barbecue sauce, baked to perfection, then covered with cheesy macaroni and baked again until bubbly and golden. Perfect for family dinners, this dish is filling and flavorful with a satisfying mix of textures.

Ingredients

Scale

Sauce

1 cup ketchup, separated
1 cup barbecue sauce

Meatloaf

2 pounds lean ground beef
30 buttery crackers, crushed
1 (2-ounce) packet onion soup mix
2 large eggs

Macaroni and Cheese

3 cups macaroni pasta
2 cups milk
1 (10.5-ounce) can condensed cheddar cheese soup
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon onion powder
4 cups shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese, divided

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Instructions

Preheat and prepare baking dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
Mix the sauce: In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup of ketchup with 1 cup of barbecue sauce until well blended.
Prepare meatloaf mixture: In a large bowl, mix together the ground beef, crushed buttery crackers, onion soup mix, and eggs until fully incorporated. Spread this mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
Top meatloaf with sauce: Spoon and spread the ketchup-barbecue sauce mixture evenly over the meatloaf layer in the baking dish.
Bake the meatloaf: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes to cook the meatloaf partially.
Cook macaroni: While the meatloaf bakes, cook the macaroni pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Make cheese sauce: In a large bowl, whisk together the milk and condensed cheddar cheese soup until smooth. Add salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder and whisk to combine the seasoning into the sauce.
Combine macaroni and cheese sauce: Stir the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce mixture thoroughly. Then mix in 2 cups of the shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese evenly.
Assemble casserole: Pour the cheesy macaroni mixture over the baked meatloaf layer and spread evenly. Then sprinkle the remaining 2 cups of shredded cheese over the top.
Bake again: Return the casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 17-20 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted and beginning to brown.
Cool and serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow it to set and make serving easier.

Notes

You can substitute the crushed buttery crackers with breadcrumbs or crushed saltine crackers if preferred.
Using lean ground beef helps reduce excess grease; drain if needed before assembling.
Feel free to mix cheddar and mozzarella in any ratio you like for different flavors and melt quality.
To make it spicier, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or some diced jalapeños to the cheese sauce.
Letting the casserole rest before serving helps it hold together for neater slices.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Category: Casserole
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American