This recipe combines the savory goodness of meatloaf with the creamy comfort of mac and cheese, creating a hearty and satisfying casserole perfect for a weeknight meal.
Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole: A Delicious Combination
Ingredients:
For the Meatloaf Layer:
| Ingredients: | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Ketchup | 1 cup |
| Sweet Baby Ray’s Hickory & Brown Sugar Barbecue Sauce | 1 cup |
| Lean Ground Beef | 2 lbs |
| Ritz Crackers | 30 |
| Lipton Onion Soup Mix | 2 oz |
| Eggs | 2 |
| Salt | 1 tsp |
| Pepper | 1 tsp |
| Garlic Powder | 1 tbsp |
| Onion Powder | 1 tbsp |
For the Mac and Cheese Layer:
| Ingredients: | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Milk | 2 cups |
| Condensed Cheddar Cheese Soup | 10.5 oz |
| Shredded Mozzarella and Cheddar Cheese Blend | 2 cups |
| Macaroni Noodles | 3 cups |
Additional Ingredients:
| Ingredients: | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Ketchup and Barbecue Sauce Mixture (from step 2) | Remaining 1/2 cup |
| Shredded Mozzarella and Cheddar Cheese Blend | 2 cups |
Instructions:
- Preheat and Prepare:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Sweet and Tangy Sauce:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the ketchup and barbecue sauce. Set this mixture aside, as you’ll use half now and half later.
- Meatloaf Mixture:
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, crushed Ritz Crackers, Lipton onion soup mix, eggs, 1/2 cup of the ketchup and barbecue sauce mixture, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix everything well until fully incorporated.
- Forming the Meatloaf Layer:
- Press the seasoned meatloaf mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Spread the remaining ketchup and barbecue sauce mixture on top of the meatloaf layer.
- Bake the Meatloaf Layer:
- Bake the meatloaf layer in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
- Cooking the Macaroni:
- While the meatloaf layer is baking, cook the macaroni noodles according to the package directions. Once cooked, drain the noodles.
- Cheesy Mac and Cheese Mixture:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the milk and condensed cheddar cheese soup until smooth and creamy. Stir in the cooked macaroni noodles, 2 cups of the shredded cheese blend, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Assembling the Casserole:
- Take the baking dish out of the oven after the 30 minutes. Carefully pour the mac and cheese mixture on top of the meatloaf layer, spreading it evenly.
- Cheese Topping:
- Sprinkle the remaining 2 cups of shredded cheese blend over the top of the mac and cheese layer.
- Baking to Completion:
- Bake the casserole for an additional 17-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly on top, with a slight golden brown color.
- Serving:
- Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving. This allows the cheese to set slightly and prevents burning your mouth. Enjoy this delicious combination of meatloaf and mac and cheese!