Description
Craving a dinner that brings serious comfort food vibes? This Mac and Cheese Meatloaf is a bold twist on two American classics—meatloaf and baked mac and cheese. With a juicy, seasoned ground beef base and a golden, bubbly layer of rich cheddar mac on top, it’s the kind of dish that makes you pause mid-bite. Perfect for easy dinner ideas, indulgent weekend meals, or creative food ideas that please the whole family. This easy recipe is meal-prep friendly, freezer-safe, and brings both nostalgia and wow factor to your table.
Ingredients
2 pounds ground beef
1 cup breadcrumbs
2 large eggs
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 cups elbow macaroni
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 1/2 cups whole milk
3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 teaspoon paprika or smoked paprika (optional)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large bowl, mix ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, onion, garlic, Worcestershire, salt, and pepper. Press mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish or loaf pan.
2. Bake the meatloaf base for 25–30 minutes, until mostly cooked through.
3. Cook macaroni in salted boiling water until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
4. In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add flour and whisk for 1 minute to make a roux. Slowly whisk in milk, cooking until thickened (about 5 minutes).
5. Stir shredded cheese into the thickened milk until melted and smooth. Season with salt and paprika if using.
6. Combine cooked pasta with the cheese sauce. Mix gently until well coated.
7. Spread mac and cheese mixture evenly over the cooked meatloaf.
8. Return dish to oven and bake for 20–25 more minutes. Broil for 2–3 minutes to brown the top.
9. Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
Letting the dish rest helps it slice cleanly without falling apart.
Use freshly shredded cheese for the best melt and flavor.
Cover with foil while baking if the top is browning too quickly.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 36g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 135mg
Keywords: mac and cheese meatloaf, meatloaf recipe, baked mac and cheese, easy dinner, comfort food