Description
Comfort cuisine reaches new heights with this mac and cheese meatloaf casserole, blending hearty American classics into one irresistible dish. Melted cheese, seasoned ground beef, and creamy pasta create a satisfying meal that brings warmth to your dinner table and delights your taste buds.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound (1 lb) ground beef
Starch and Binding Ingredients:
- 1 box macaroni and cheese
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup milk
Cheese and Seasoning:
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350°F, preparing a greased baking dish for the hearty casserole.
- Prepare macaroni according to package directions, ensuring al dente texture, then drain and set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, thoroughly blend ground beef with egg, breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Gently press the seasoned meat mixture into the prepared baking dish, creating an even base layer.
- Distribute the cooked macaroni uniformly across the meat foundation, creating a complete coverage.
- Slowly pour milk over the macaroni layer, allowing it to seep between the pasta and meat.
- Generously sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese across the entire surface, ensuring complete coverage.
- Transfer the casserole to the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes until the cheese melts into a golden, bubbling crust.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes to allow flavors to settle and casserole to set.
- Slice into generous portions and serve immediately while cheese remains warm and gooey.
Notes
- Lean meat works best, keeping the dish lighter and reducing excess grease during baking.
- Experiment with different cheese blends like sharp cheddar and monterey jack for more complex flavor profiles.
- Add diced vegetables like bell peppers or onions to the meat mixture for extra nutrition and texture variety.
- For gluten-free option, replace breadcrumbs with crushed gluten-free crackers or almond flour to maintain binding consistency.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 460 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg