Description
Comforting mac and cheese meatloaf casserole blends classic American comfort foods into one hearty dish. Cheese-laden pasta and seasoned ground beef create a satisfying meal perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (500 g) ground beef
- 2 cups (200 g) elbow macaroni, cooked
- 2 cups (200 g) shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups (480 ml) whole milk
- ¼ cup (60 ml) ketchup
- ¼ cup (60 ml) milk
- 2 tbsps butter
- 2 tbsps all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (50 g) breadcrumbs
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 egg
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp mustard powder (optional)
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prep Station: Preheat the oven to 180C (350F). Thoroughly coat a rectangular baking dish with non-stick spray or butter to ensure easy removal.
- Meat Foundation: Mix ground beef with breadcrumbs, milk, egg, onion, garlic, and seasonings. Gently combine ingredients, avoiding excessive handling. Press the meat mixture evenly into the prepared dish, creating a compact base with smooth surfaces.
- Initial Roasting: Place the meat foundation in the oven and partially cook for 15 minutes while simultaneously preparing the cheese sauce and pasta.
- Cheese Sauce Construction: In a saucepan, craft a velvety roux by melting butter and whisking in flour. Gradually stream milk, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat and incorporate cheddar cheese and mustard powder, creating a silky, flavorful coating. Thoroughly toss cooked macaroni in the cheese sauce.
- Layering and Cheese Topping: Remove the meat base from the oven and evenly spread the cheesy pasta mixture across the surface. Sprinkle an abundant layer of additional cheddar cheese to create a golden, crispy crown.
- Final Baking: Return the casserole to the oven and bake until the cheese melts into a bubbling, bronzed topping, approximately 20-25 minutes.
- Serving Presentation: Allow the casserole to rest for a few minutes. Slice into generous portions and complement with fresh green salad or steamed vegetables for a complete, satisfying meal.
Notes
- Prevent Meat Overmixing: Gently combine ground beef ingredients to maintain a tender, soft texture and avoid tough, dense meatloaf.
- Create Smooth Cheese Sauce: Whisk roux slowly and consistently to prevent lumps, ensuring a silky, creamy cheese sauce that coats macaroni evenly.
- Control Cheese Melting: Sprinkle cheese in layers for an even, golden-brown crust that provides maximum flavor and attractive presentation.
- Resting Is Crucial: Let casserole settle for 5-10 minutes after baking to help ingredients set, making slicing cleaner and preventing immediate structural collapse.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg