Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (feel free to use gluten-free if needed)
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups milk
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder (optional, but it adds a great depth of flavor)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish lightly with butter or non-stick spray.
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, beaten egg, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix until everything is just combined. Remember, over-mixing can lead to a tough meatloaf!
- Press the meat mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish, forming it into a flat loaf shape.
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil, and cook the elbow macaroni until just al dente, about 7 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and mustard powder, cooking for 1-2 minutes until the mixture is bubbly and golden.
- Gradually whisk in the milk, cooking until the sauce is smooth and thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the cheddar cheese until melted and creamy.
- Mix the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce, then pour this cheesy goodness over the meatloaf layer in the baking dish.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, until the top is golden and bubbly.
- Let it cool for a few minutes before slicing. This is the hardest part—waiting while the aroma fills the kitchen!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International
Keywords: Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole, recipe, cooking, food
