Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole

This dish fuses two ultimate comfort foods into one: meatloaf and macaroni and cheese. It’s like a mash-up you didn’t know you needed, until now.

You get the best of both worlds: tender, flavorful meatloaf and creamy, cheesy mac & cheese all in one pan.
It’s rich and indulgent—ideal when you want something satisfying and comforting.
Can be prepped ahead of time and baked later, which makes it great for busy evenings.
Perfect for family meals or potlucks—guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
And yes, leftovers are even better.

Here are the components to build this hearty casserole:

For the meatloaf layer:

For the mac & cheese layer:

Prep & Meatloaf Layer:
Preheat oven to 350 °F (175 °C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Mix ketchup and BBQ sauce to start. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, crushed crackers, onion soup mix, eggs, and half of the ketchup-BBQ sauce blend. Don’t overmix—it should just hold together. Press into the baking dish, spread the remaining sauce over the top, and bake for 30 minutes.
Make the Mac & Cheese:
While the meatloaf bakes, cook the macaroni as per package instructions. Drain. In another bowl, whisk together milk, cheddar cheese soup, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder until smooth. Stir in the cooked macaroni and about half (2 cups) of the cheese blend.
Assemble & Bake Further:
After the 30 minutes of baking, remove the dish. Spread the mac & cheese mixture evenly over the meatloaf base. Top with the rest of the shredded cheese. Put back into the oven and bake for another 17-20 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and lightly golden.
Rest & Serve:
Let it rest a few minutes so it sets a bit before slicing. Then serve warm.

Storage:
- In the fridge: keep leftovers in a sealed container for up to 4 days.
- In the freezer: wrap portions well; can be stored for up to 2 months.
- To reheat: oven at 350 °F (~175 °C) for about 15 minutes or microwave if you’re in a hurry.
Variations:
- Want it spicy? Add red pepper flakes or hot sauce to the mac & cheese.
- Try different cheeses—Gouda, Colby Jack, Havarti—to change the flavor profile.
- Swap proteins: use ground turkey or sausage instead of beef.
- Make it gluten-free: use gluten-free crackers or crumbs, gluten-free pasta, and ensure the cheese soup is gluten-free (or make your own cheese sauce).