Description
A comforting dish that blends cheesy macaroni and classic meatloaf for a hearty meal that’s perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large bowl, mix together the ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, chopped onion, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper until well combined. Press this mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish or loaf pan.
- Bake the meatloaf base for approximately 25–30 minutes, until it’s mostly cooked through.
- While the meatloaf is baking, cook the elbow macaroni in salted boiling water until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the flour and whisk for about 1 minute to create a roux.
- Slowly whisk in the milk, cooking until the mixture thickens (about 5 minutes).
- Stir the shredded cheddar cheese into the thickened milk until melted and smooth. If desired, season with extra salt and paprika.
- Combine the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce and mix gently until all the pasta is well coated.
- Spread the mac and cheese mixture evenly over the partially cooked meatloaf.
- Return the dish to the oven and bake for another 20–25 minutes. For an extra crispy top, broil for 2–3 minutes until golden brown.
- Let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
For added flavor, consider mixing in finely chopped vegetables or swapping the cheese types. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 150mg
Keywords: Mac and cheese, meatloaf, comfort food, family dinner, casserole