Here’s a hearty, family-friendly dish that’s pure comfort food: Meatloaf and Cheddar Shells Casserole. It combines two classics—juicy meatloaf and creamy mac & cheese—into one easy baked casserole. Great for make-ahead meals or weeknight dinners.
🧀🥩 Meatloaf and Cheddar Shells Casserole
🍴 Serves: 6–8
📝 Ingredients:
For the meatloaf layer:
- 1 ½ lbs ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
- 1 egg
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
For the cheddar shells:
- 8 oz medium pasta shells
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 ¾ cups milk
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ tsp mustard powder (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional topping:
- ½ cup shredded cheddar or mixed cheese
- ¼ cup crushed Ritz crackers or breadcrumbs
🔥 Instructions:
1. Preheat oven:
- Preheat to 375°F (190°C).
- Lightly grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish.
2. Make the meatloaf base:
- In a large bowl, combine all meatloaf ingredients. Mix until just combined—don’t overwork it.
- Press mixture evenly into the bottom of the casserole dish. Bake uncovered for 25 minutes while you make the shells.
3. Make the cheddar shells:
- Cook pasta shells until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a saucepan, melt butter. Whisk in flour to make a roux (cook 1 minute).
- Slowly whisk in milk, stirring constantly until thickened (about 3–5 min).
- Stir in shredded cheddar until melted. Add mustard powder, salt, and pepper.
- Mix cheese sauce with the cooked pasta.
4. Assemble & bake:
- Carefully remove the casserole with meatloaf base from oven.
- Spread the cheesy shells evenly over the meatloaf.
- Sprinkle with extra cheese or crushed crackers if using.
- Return to oven and bake 15–20 more minutes, until bubbly and golden on top.
5. Rest & serve:
- Let sit 5–10 minutes before slicing and serving.
🧑🍳 Tips & Variations:
- Add sautéed spinach or peas into the cheese sauce for a veggie boost.
- Use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
- Make it spicy: add a pinch of cayenne or chopped jalapeños to the cheese sauce.