Description
Comfort meets indulgence in this mac and cheese meatloaf casserole, blending hearty ground beef with creamy pasta. Cheese-lovers will savor each rich, layered bite of this satisfying midwestern-inspired dish you can’t wait to devour.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1.5 pounds ground beef
- 1 egg
Dairy and Cheese:
- 1.5 cups milk
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter
Dry Ingredients and Seasonings:
- 0.5 cup breadcrumbs
- 0.25 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 0.5 teaspoon mustard powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 0.25 cup breadcrumbs (optional for topping)
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350F (175C) for preparing the layered comfort dish.
- Combine ground beef with breadcrumbs, egg, ketchup, milk, and seasonings in a mixing bowl, ensuring thorough incorporation of all flavor elements.
- Transfer the meat mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, pressing firmly to create an uniform base layer.
- Roast the meat foundation for 20-25 minutes until approximately three-quarters cooked through.
- Meanwhile, cook macaroni according to package guidelines, then drain thoroughly.
- Create a creamy cheese sauce by melting butter and whisking in flour to develop a smooth roux base.
- Gradually pour milk into the roux, continuing to whisk until the mixture thickens and becomes velvety.
- Incorporate mustard powder, salt, pepper, and shredded cheese into the sauce, stirring until completely melted and uniform.
- Fold the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce, coating each pasta piece evenly.
- Spread the cheesy macaroni mixture over the partially cooked meat layer, creating a complete casserole.
- Optional: Dust the surface with breadcrumbs for an additional crispy texture.
- Return the casserole to the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes until the top turns golden and cheese bubbles slightly.
- Allow the casserole to rest for 5-7 minutes before serving, which helps stabilize the layers and enhance flavor melding.
Notes
- Customize the meat mixture by substituting ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner protein option.
- Add extra depth to the mac and cheese sauce by incorporating a splash of white wine or a pinch of nutmeg during the cheese-melting process.
- Create a gluten-free version by using gluten-free breadcrumbs and replacing wheat flour with cornstarch or a gluten-free flour blend when making the roux.
- Boost vegetable intake by mixing finely chopped spinach or grated zucchini into the meatloaf layer for added nutrition and moisture.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 481 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 541 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 103 mg