Description
A comforting and hearty meatloaf stuffed with creamy mac ‘n’ cheese, combining the savory flavors of seasoned ground beef with a cheesy pasta center. This unique twist on classic meatloaf is baked to perfection with a tangy BBQ sauce glaze, making it a family-friendly dish that’s both satisfying and flavorful.
Ingredients
Scale
For the 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
For the 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 evenly.
- Prepare Meat Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix thoroughly until well incorporated.
- Make Mac ‘n’ Cheese Filling: In a separate bowl, mix the cooked elbow macaroni, shredded cheddar cheese, heavy cream, and garlic powder together until well combined to create the creamy filling.
- Form Meatloaf Base: Shape half of the meat mixture into a loaf on a baking sheet, creating a hollow center that will hold the mac ‘n’ cheese filling.
- Add Filling: Spoon the prepared mac ‘n’ cheese filling into the hollowed-out center of the meatloaf base evenly.
- Seal Meatloaf: Cover the mac ‘n’ cheese filling with the remaining meat mixture, sealing all edges tightly to prevent the filling from leaking during baking.
- Apply BBQ Sauce: Brush the top of the meatloaf with BBQ sauce to add flavor and create a delicious glaze.
- Bake: Place the meatloaf in the preheated oven and bake for 50-55 minutes, or until the meat is cooked through and reaches a safe internal temperature.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the meatloaf from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes to allow juices to redistribute before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Be sure to seal the meatloaf edges well to prevent the mac ‘n’ cheese from oozing out during baking.
- Using freshly cooked macaroni is important; avoid overcooking pasta before mixing to maintain the right texture.
- Letting the meatloaf rest after baking ensures juiciness and easier slicing.
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option but adjust cooking time accordingly.
- For extra flavor, try adding herbs like parsley or thyme to the meat mixture.
