Description
Comfort cuisine reaches new heights with this mac and cheese meatloaf casserole, blending classic American flavors into one irresistible dish. Cheesy, hearty layers promise a satisfying meal that brings warmth and nostalgia to your dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 1 pound (1 lb) ground beef
- 0.5 pound (1/2 lb) ground pork
Binding and Moisture Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 egg
Flavor Enhancers:
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Craft the meat base by blending ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, milk, ketchup, onion, egg, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper in a large mixing bowl until thoroughly incorporated.
- Mold the meat mixture into a compact loaf shape within a greased baking dish, ensuring even distribution.
- Slide the baking dish into a preheated 375F (190C) oven and roast the meatloaf for precisely 30 minutes.
- During the meatloaf’s cooking time, prepare elbow macaroni according to package guidelines, aiming for al dente texture, then drain and reserve.
- Construct the cheese sauce by melting butter in a saucepan over medium heat, then introducing flour to create a roux. Gradually whisk in milk, stirring consistently until the mixture thickens.
- Enhance the sauce with mustard powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Remove from heat and fold in cheddar and mozzarella cheeses until achieving a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Integrate the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce, ensuring complete and even coating.
- Extract the partially cooked meatloaf from the oven and lavishly spread the mac and cheese mixture across its surface.
- Embellish the casserole with an additional sprinkle of cheddar cheese and breadcrumbs for added texture and flavor.
- Return the casserole to the 375F (190C) oven for 15-20 minutes, targeting a golden, bubbling top.
- Allow the casserole to rest briefly before serving, enabling flavors to meld and ensuring easier portioning.
Notes
- Customize the meat blend by using ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version that still packs incredible flavor.
- Enhance the cheese sauce’s richness by adding a splash of heavy cream or mixing in different cheese varieties like gouda or gruyère for more depth.
- Boost nutritional value by incorporating finely chopped vegetables like spinach or bell peppers into the meatloaf mixture for added nutrients and color.
- Create a crispy topping by using panko breadcrumbs instead of regular breadcrumbs and adding a sprinkle of parmesan cheese for extra crunch and flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 362 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg