Description
This Mac ‘n’ Cheese-Stuffed Meatloaf recipe combines the classic comfort foods of meatloaf and creamy mac and cheese into one delicious, hearty dish. Ground beef meatloaf is filled with rich macaroni and cheddar cheese, then baked to perfection with a tangy BBQ sauce glaze, making it a crowd-pleaser ideal for family dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatloaf
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- ½ cup milk
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ cup BBQ sauce
Mac ‘n’ Cheese Filling
- 1 cup elbow macaroni, cooked
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the meatloaf.
- Prepare Meat Mixture: In a large bowl, thoroughly combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder until the mixture is evenly mixed.
- Make Mac ‘n’ Cheese Filling: In another bowl, mix together the cooked elbow macaroni, shredded cheddar cheese, heavy cream, and garlic powder until well combined.
- Shape Meatloaf Base: On a baking sheet, shape half of the meat mixture into a loaf form and create a hollow center to hold the mac and cheese.
- Fill the Meatloaf: Spoon the prepared mac ‘n’ cheese mixture into the hollowed-out center of the meatloaf.
- Seal Meatloaf: Cover the mac ‘n’ cheese filling with the remaining half of the meat mixture, carefully sealing the edges to prevent the filling from leaking out during baking.
- Add BBQ Sauce Glaze: Brush the top of the assembled meatloaf generously with BBQ sauce for added flavor and moisture.
- Bake: Place the meatloaf into the preheated oven and bake for 50-55 minutes, or until the meat is fully cooked and the internal temperature reaches at least 160°F (71°C).
- Rest and Serve: Remove the meatloaf from the oven and allow it to rest for 10 minutes before slicing to let the juices redistribute and ensure clean slices.
Notes
- For best results, use freshly cooked and cooled elbow macaroni to prevent excess moisture in the filling.
- Make sure to seal the meatloaf edges tightly to avoid the mac ‘n’ cheese filling from oozing out during baking.
- You can substitute BBQ sauce with ketchup or a tomato-based glaze if preferred.
- Allowing the meatloaf to rest before slicing helps maintain its shape and juiciness.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the meat is safely cooked.
