Description
Comfort meets creativity in this mac and cheese meatloaf casserole, blending hearty ground beef with creamy pasta in one irresistible dish. Cheesy layers and savory meat combine for a crowd-pleasing meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 large eggs
Pasta and Dairy:
- 1 cup elbow macaroni
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup milk
Seasonings and Binders:
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Topping:
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon mustard
Instructions
- Prepare the culinary workspace by heating the oven to a precise 350°F, creating the ideal thermal environment for your comfort dish.
- Submerge macaroni in boiling water, cooking until tender yet firm. Drain thoroughly, setting aside for future incorporation.
- Transform ground beef in a sizzling skillet, browning the meat to a rich caramel color. Introduce diced onions and minced garlic, sautéing until aromatics release their fragrant essence.
- Merge cooked macaroni with seasoned beef mixture in a generous mixing vessel. Incorporate eggs, breadcrumbs, cheddar cheese, milk, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper, blending until ingredients harmonize into a cohesive mixture.
- Coat a 9×13 inch baking dish with protective grease, then gently spread the combined mixture, ensuring an even landscape across the ceramic terrain.
- Artfully cascade barbecue sauce over the surface, creating a glossy crimson layer. Optional: Embellish with delicate streams of ketchup and mustard for additional flavor complexity.
- Slide the casserole into the preheated oven, allowing it to transform for 30-35 minutes. Watch for a golden-brown crust and bubbling edges signaling culinary perfection.
- Extract from oven and permit a brief cooling interlude. Slice into generous portions, presenting a comforting marriage of mac and cheese with robust meatloaf characteristics.
Notes
- Customize the Meat: Use ground turkey or chicken for a leaner version, keeping the dish protein-packed and diet-friendly.
- Cheese Variations: Experiment with different cheese blends like pepper jack, gouda, or monterey jack to add unique flavor profiles and create exciting taste combinations.
- Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap regular breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives and use gluten-free pasta to make the recipe suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
- Veggie Boost: Sneak in finely chopped vegetables like bell peppers or spinach into the meat mixture to increase nutritional value without compromising the comfort food experience.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg