Description
Creamy mac and cheese meatloaf casserole delivers comfort on a plate for hungry families. Hearty layers combine classic American dinner favorites with cheesy goodness that satisfies all palates.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 2 eggs
Sauce and Flavoring:
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1 cup Sweet Baby Rays Hickory & Brown Sugar barbecue sauce
- 2 ounces Lipton onion soup mix
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
Base and Cheese:
- 3 cups macaroni noodles
- 2 cups milk
- 10.5 ounces condensed cheddar cheese soup
- 30 Ritz Crackers, crushed
- 4 cups shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese blend
Instructions
- Prepare the oven at 350°F (175°C) and lightly coat a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Create a tangy sauce by blending ketchup and barbecue sauce in a medium bowl. Reserve for later use.
- Craft the meatloaf base by combining ground beef, crushed Ritz Crackers, Lipton onion soup mix, and eggs in a large mixing bowl. Incorporate half the prepared sauce and thoroughly mix. Evenly distribute the meat mixture into the greased baking dish, then generously brush the remaining sauce across the top.
- Roast the meatloaf in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and meat to cook through.
- During baking, prepare macaroni according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Whisk milk and condensed cheddar cheese soup until smooth. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Fold in cooked macaroni and two cups of shredded cheese until well integrated.
- Extract the partially cooked meatloaf from the oven. Carefully spread the cheesy macaroni mixture over the meat, ensuring even coverage. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
- Return the casserole to the oven and bake for 17-20 minutes until the cheese melts and develops a golden-brown crust. Allow the dish to rest briefly before serving.
Notes
- Cracker Substitution: Swap Ritz Crackers with gluten-free crackers or breadcrumbs for a celiac-friendly version.
- Lean Protein Option: Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef to reduce fat content and create a lighter meal.
- Cheese Flexibility: Experiment with different cheese blends like sharp cheddar, mozzarella, or pepper jack for varied flavor profiles.
- Make-Ahead Convenience: Prepare the meatloaf and mac and cheese components separately the day before, then assemble and bake when ready to serve for a time-saving meal prep strategy.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 530
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg