Description
This Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole is the ultimate comfort food fusion—bringing together the rich, savory flavor of classic meatloaf with the creamy indulgence of macaroni and cheese. It’s a family-style dish that’s hearty, cheesy, and perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings. The sweet and smoky barbecue glaze on top pairs beautifully with the cheesy pasta, creating layers of flavor in every bite.
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 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp onion powder
4 cups shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese blend
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a medium bowl, combine the ketchup and barbecue sauce. Set aside for later use.
In a large mixing bowl, add the ground beef. Place the Ritz Crackers in a Ziploc bag and crush them with a rolling pin. Add the crushed crackers to the beef along with the Lipton onion soup mix and eggs.
Add 1/2 cup of the ketchup and barbecue sauce mixture to the beef mixture. Mix everything together using your hands until fully combined.
Press the meatloaf mixture evenly into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Spread the remaining ketchup and barbecue sauce mixture over the top of the meatloaf.
Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven.
While the meatloaf bakes, cook the macaroni noodles according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
In a separate large bowl, whisk together the milk and condensed cheddar cheese soup until smooth. Add the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder, and mix well.
Stir in the cooked macaroni noodles until fully coated. Mix in 2 cups of the shredded cheese.
After the meatloaf has baked for 30 minutes, remove it from the oven. Pour the macaroni and cheese mixture over the meatloaf and spread evenly.
Top with the remaining 2 cups of shredded cheese.
Return the dish to the oven and bake for another 17-20 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and slightly golden on top.
Allow the casserole to rest for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
You can substitute different cheese blends based on your preference—sharp cheddar or a smoky gouda work great.
For a bit of heat, consider adding a dash of cayenne or hot sauce to the cheese mixture.
This dish stores well and tastes even better the next day, making it perfect for leftovers.
Serve with a crisp green salad or roasted vegetables to balance the richness.