Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole

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Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole is the kind of hearty comfort food dinner that does not mess around.

This easy ground beef casserole starts with a saucy meatloaf base made with Ritz crackers, onion soup mix, ketchup and barbecue sauce, then gets topped with creamy macaroni and cheese.

It bakes up into a cheesy, filling meal that slices like a casserole but eats like two family favourites smashed together in the best way.

This cozy dinner is perfect for busy weeknights, picky eaters or anytime you need a stick-to-your-ribs meal that feels extra satisfying.

Why This Recipe is a Winner!

• Two comfort food favourites in one dish: This recipe combines hearty meatloaf with creamy macaroni and cheese for the ultimate family dinner.
• Loaded with flavour: Ketchup, barbecue sauce, Ritz crackers and onion soup mix give the meatloaf base a savoury, slightly sweet flavour.
• Extra cheesy: The macaroni layer is mixed with cheddar cheese soup and shredded cheese, then topped with even more cheese before baking.
• Great for feeding a family: This casserole is baked in a 9 x 13 inch dish and serves 6-8 people.
• Kid-friendly: The mac and cheese topping makes this meatloaf casserole fun, familiar and perfect for picky eaters.
• Hearty enough on its own: With ground beef, pasta and cheese all in one pan, this is a filling dinner that does not need much on the side

Ingredients You'll Need

• Ketchup: Forms the base of the sweet and tangy sauce that gets mixed into the meatloaf and spread over the top.
• Barbecue Sauce: Adds smoky sweetness to the meatloaf layer. I used Sweet Baby Ray’s Hickory & Brown Sugar barbecue sauce, but you can use your favourite kind.
• Lean Ground Beef: The base of the meatloaf layer. Lean ground beef works well because it gives the casserole plenty of flavour without making it too greasy.
• Ritz Crackers: Crushed Ritz crackers help bind the meatloaf mixture together while adding buttery flavour.
• Lipton Onion Soup Mix: Adds savoury onion flavour and seasoning to the meatloaf without needing a bunch of extra ingredients.
• Eggs: Help hold the meatloaf base together so it slices nicely once baked.
• Macaroni Noodles: Cooked macaroni forms the pasta layer on top of the meatloaf. Make sure to cook and drain the noodles before adding them to the cheese mixture.
• Milk: Helps create the creamy sauce for the macaroni layer.
• Condensed Cheddar Cheese Soup: Makes the mac and cheese layer extra creamy and cheesy with very little effort.
• Salt and Pepper: Simple seasonings that bring out the flavour in the macaroni and cheese layer.
• Garlic Powder: Adds savoury flavour to the cheese sauce.
• Onion Powder: Adds extra onion flavour to the macaroni layer and pairs well with the onion soup mix in the meatloaf.
• Shredded Mozzarella and Cheddar Cheese Blend: Gets stirred into the macaroni and sprinkled over the top for a gooey, cheesy finish.

Printable Recipe Card with a Full List of Ingredients and Instructions is Located at the Bottom of the Post.

Be sure to read through the entire post so that you don't miss out on any important tips and tricks!

Step By Step Instructions

I stirred until the sauces were well combined and then set the bowl aside.

Then I placed 30 Ritz crackers into a large Ziploc bag.

Then I poured the cracker crumbs into the bowl with the ground beef.

I also added some Lipton onion soup mix and two eggs to the bowl.

Then I added half a cup of the ketchup and barbecue sauce mixture to the bowl.

Then I dumped the meatloaf mixture into a greased 9 x 13 inch baking dish and pressed it out evenly.

While the meatloaf was in the oven, I cooked some macaroni noodles according to the directions on the package.

Then I drained the noodles.

I whisked until no lumps remained.

I whisked well again.

Then I added the cooked macaroni noodles to the bowl.

Then I added some shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese to the bowl.

I stirred well again.

Then I poured the macaroni mixture on top of the meatloaf and spread it out evenly.

Every bite of this Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole is loaded with saucy meatloaf, creamy pasta and gooey melted cheese.

It’s rich, hearty and ridiculously comforting, the kind of dinner that makes everyone go back for just one more scoop.

If you are looking for an easy ground beef casserole the whole family will love, then you need to try this Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole!

• Do not overmix the meatloaf mixture. Mix just until everything is combined so the meatloaf layer stays tender instead of dense.
• Crush the Ritz crackers finely. Smaller crumbs blend into the beef mixture better and help hold the meatloaf base together.
• Use lean ground beef. This helps keep the casserole hearty without ending up overly greasy.
• Spread the meatloaf layer evenly. Press it into the baking dish in an even layer so it cooks at the same rate from edge to edge.
• Save some sauce for the top. The ketchup and barbecue sauce mixture adds flavour and helps keep the meatloaf layer moist while it bakes.
• Cook the macaroni just until al dente. The pasta will bake again in the oven, so you do not want it too soft before it goes into the casserole.
• Whisk the cheddar soup and milk until smooth. This helps create a creamier sauce for the macaroni layer.
• Let the casserole rest before slicing. Giving it a few minutes to sit helps the layers set up so the pieces come out cleaner.

Substitutions and Variations

• Change the ground beef: You can use medium ground beef for a richer flavour, or try ground turkey or ground chicken for a lighter version.
• Switch up the crackers: Ritz crackers add buttery flavour, but saltines, crushed Club crackers or plain breadcrumbs can also work.
• Use a different barbecue sauce: Sweet, smoky, spicy or honey barbecue sauce will all change the flavour of the meatloaf layer.
• Try a different pasta shape: Elbows are classic, but small shells, cavatappi or rotini would also hold the cheese sauce well.
• Use a different cheese blend: Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Colby Jack or a Tex Mex blend can be used in place of the mozzarella and cheddar blend.
• Add a little heat: Stir a pinch of cayenne, chili powder or hot sauce into the meatloaf mixture or cheese sauce.
• Make it extra smoky: Use a smoky barbecue sauce or add a little smoked paprika to the meatloaf mixture.
• Add bacon: Crumbled cooked bacon can be stirred into the macaroni layer or sprinkled on top with the cheese.
• Use a different condensed soup: Condensed cheddar cheese soup works best for that classic mac and cheese flavour, but condensed cream of bacon or cream of mushroom can give the casserole a different twist.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole ahead of time?

• Yes, you can assemble the meatloaf layer ahead of time and store it covered in the refrigerator until you are ready to bake. For best results, cook and add the macaroni layer closer to baking so the pasta does not soak up too much liquid.

How should I store leftovers?

• Store leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

How do I reheat leftovers?

• Reheat individual portions in the microwave until heated through. You can also reheat larger portions in the oven at 350F, covered with foil, until warm.

Can I freeze this casserole?

• You can freeze leftovers, but the macaroni and cheese layer may be a bit softer after thawing and reheating. Wrap portions well or store them in freezer-safe containers.

Can I use regular breadcrumbs instead of Ritz crackers?

• Yes, plain breadcrumbs can be used in place of the crushed Ritz crackers, but the crackers add a buttery flavour that works really well in the meatloaf layer.

Why does the casserole need to rest before serving?

• Letting the casserole rest for a few minutes helps the meatloaf and macaroni layers set up, making it easier to slice and serve.

Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole

Yield: 6-8 people

Prep Time: 18 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 8 minutes

Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole is a hearty dinner recipe with a ground beef meatloaf base with macaroni and cheese baked on top.

4.5 Stars (218 Reviews)

Print

Ingredients

• 1 cup ketchup
• 1 cup Sweet Baby Ray's Hickory & Brown Sugar barbecue sauce
• 2 lbs lean ground beef
• 30 Ritz Crackers
• 2 oz Lipton onion soup mix
• 2 eggs
• 3 cups macaroni noodles
• 2 cups milk
• 10.5 oz condensed cheddar cheese soup
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 4 cups shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese blend

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. Dump ketchup and barbecue sauce into a medium mixing bowl and stir until well combined. Set aside.
3. Dump ground beef into a large mixing bowl.
4. Place Ritz crackers in a large Ziploc bag and use a rolling pin to crush them.
5. Pour the cracker crumbs into the bowl with the ground beef.
6. Add the onion soup mix and eggs to the bowl with the ground beef.
7. Add ½ cup of the ketchup and barbecue sauce mixture to the bowl with the ground beef.
8. Use your hands to mix all of the ingredients together until fully combined.
9. Dump the meatloaf mixture into a greased 9 x 13 inch baking dish and press it out evenly.
10. Spread the rest of the ketchup and barbecue sauce mixture on top of the meatloaf.
11. Place the dish in the oven and bake the meatloaf for 30 minutes.
12. While the meatloaf is in the oven, cook the macaroni noodles according to the directions on the package and then drain.
13. Pour the milk and cheddar soup into a large mixing bowl.
14. Whisk until no lumps remain.
15. Add the salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder to the bowl and whisk well again.
16. Add the cooked macaroni noodles to the bowl and stir until all of the noodles are coated in the liquid.
17. Add 2 cups of the shredded cheese to the bowl and stir well again.
18. Once the meatloaf has baked for 30 minutes, remove it from the oven.
19. Pour the macaroni mixture on top of the meatloaf and spread it out evenly.
20. Sprinkle the remaining 2 cups of shredded cheese on top of the meatloaf.
21. Return the dish to the oven and bake until the cheese on top is completely melted and just starting to brown. 17-20 minutes.
22. Remove the casserole from the oven and leave it to sit for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
23. Enjoy!

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 549Total Fat: 22gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 177mgSodium: 1058mgCarbohydrates: 40gFiber: 1gSugar: 31gProtein: 45g

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As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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