Big Texas Flavor: Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole Recipe You’ll Love

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When you think of Texas, bold flavors, hearty meals, and family gatherings come to mind. In the spirit of Lone Star cuisine, here’s a dish that combines two comfort food classics into one epic meal—Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole. It’s a fusion of savory meatloaf smothered in a tangy barbecue sauce, topped with a creamy mac and cheese layer that will have everyone coming back for seconds. This dish doesn’t just satisfy hunger, it embodies the big, bold, and flavorful personality of Texas cooking.

The combination of lean ground beef, rich cheese, and just the right amount of barbecue sauce creates an unbeatable balance of flavors. The sweetness of the barbecue complements the savory meatloaf, while the cheesy macaroni on top adds a creamy, comforting finish. Texans love their barbecue, and by mixing that with mac and cheese, this casserole becomes a Texas-sized delight!

Recipe: Texas Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole

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:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
2. In a medium bowl, mix together the ketchup and barbecue sauce. Set it aside for later.
3. In a large mixing bowl, add the ground beef. Crush the Ritz crackers and add them in along with the Lipton onion soup mix and eggs. Pour in ½ cup of the ketchup-barbecue sauce mixture. Mix everything together until well combined.
4. Press the beef mixture evenly into the greased baking dish. Spread the remaining ketchup and barbecue sauce mixture on top.
5. Bake the meatloaf for 30 minutes.
6. While the meatloaf bakes, cook the macaroni noodles according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
7. In another bowl, whisk together the milk and condensed cheddar cheese soup until smooth. Stir in the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Add the cooked macaroni and 2 cups of shredded cheese. Mix well.
8. Remove the meatloaf from the oven and pour the macaroni mixture on top. Spread it evenly.
9. Sprinkle the remaining 2 cups of shredded cheese on top of the macaroni layer.
10. Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 17-20 minutes, until the cheese is melted and starting to brown.
11. Let the casserole sit for a few minutes before serving for the best texture.

The Final Taste of Texas

What makes this dish so irresistible is how it captures the essence of Texas cooking—bold, unapologetic flavors with a focus on comfort and satisfaction. Whether you’re hosting a casual family dinner or serving guests at a backyard barbecue, this Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole will hit the spot. The sweet and tangy barbecue sauce, creamy macaroni, and cheesy goodness come together in perfect harmony, giving every bite the big, bold taste of Texas.

Enjoy a little bit of the Lone Star state on your plate, and don’t be surprised when it becomes a regular request at the dinner table!

Here's the Texas Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole recipe and details, based on various sources!

Recipe Highlights:

This dish combines a classic meatloaf base with a creamy mac and cheese layer on top, making it an irresistible comfort food. It's rich, cheesy, and packs that sweet BBQ tang that Texas cuisine is known for. The meatloaf is moist, thanks to the addition of Ritz crackers, Lipton onion soup mix, and a blend of Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce and ketchup.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs lean ground beef
• 30 Ritz crackers (crushed)
• 2 oz Lipton onion soup mix
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup ketchup
• 1 cup Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce
• 3 cups elbow macaroni (cooked)
• 2 cups milk
• 10.5 oz condensed cheddar cheese soup
• 1 tbsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp onion powder
• Salt & pepper to taste
• 4 cups shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese blend

Instructions:

1. Meatloaf Base: Combine the ground beef, crackers, onion soup mix, eggs, and ½ cup of the ketchup-BBQ mixture. Press this into a greased baking dish and spread the remaining sauce over the top. Bake for 30 minutes.
2. Mac & Cheese: Cook the macaroni, then mix it with the milk, cheese soup, and seasonings. Stir in 2 cups of shredded cheese.
3. Layer & Bake: Once the meatloaf is done, spread the mac and cheese on top and sprinkle the remaining cheese. Bake for an additional 17-20 minutes, until the cheese is golden and bubbly.

This dish is perfect for family dinners and gatherings, providing that Texas-sized flavor everyone craves! It can also be customized easily with variations like adding bacon or different types of cheese​(THIS IS NOT DIET FOOD)​(CheekyKitchen).

For further customization, you can replace beef with ground turkey, or make it gluten-free by substituting the Ritz crackers and noodles​(CheekyKitchen)​(FULL RECIPE).