Cozy Meatball Macaroni and Cheese Recipe: Hearty Comfort on a Plate

Melding comfort and indulgence, this meatball macaroni and cheese recipe delivers a hearty meal that satisfies deep cravings.

Perfectly seasoned meatballs nestle into a creamy, rich cheese sauce coating tender pasta shells.

Each bite promises a delightful explosion of flavors that dance across your palate.

The combination of juicy, savory meatballs and velvety mac and cheese creates an irresistible dish that feels both nostalgic and exciting.

Weeknight dinners never looked so good with this crowd-pleasing recipe that brings gourmet flair to a classic comfort food.

You’ll love how easily these ingredients come together to create a meal that feels like a warm culinary hug.

Grab your skillet and get ready to elevate your dinner game with this mouthwatering masterpiece.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 493 kcal

Servings: 7

Meatball Macaroni and Cheese Ingredient Lineup

• Ground Beef: Rich, juicy protein that brings hearty flavor and satisfying texture to the dish.
• Breadcrumbs: Helps bind the meat mixture and creates a tender, light meatball structure.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds deep, salty complexity and helps meatballs hold together perfectly.
• Egg: Acts as a natural binder, ensuring meatballs stay cohesive during cooking.
• Garlic: Delivers aromatic, punchy undertones that elevate the meat's natural taste.
• Fresh Parsley: Introduces bright, herbaceous notes and vibrant color to the meatballs.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall meat flavor profile.

• Butter: Provides rich, creamy base and smooth foundation for the sauce.
• All-Purpose Flour: Creates a roux that thickens the sauce and gives silky consistency.
• Whole Milk: Delivers luxurious, velvety texture and helps create perfect sauce consistency.
• Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Brings tangy, bold cheese flavor with excellent melting properties.
• Nutmeg: Adds subtle, warm background note that complements the cheese beautifully.

• Elbow Macaroni: Classic pasta shape that perfectly captures and holds the creamy cheese sauce.
• Salt: Enhances overall dish seasoning and helps pasta cook to perfect texture.
• Black Pepper: Provides gentle heat and rounds out the dish's flavor profile.

Cookware and Tools for Mac & Meatball Goodness

• Large Pot: Essential for boiling pasta in salted water with plenty of space.
• Baking Sheet: Oiled surface for broiling meatballs evenly and catching drips.
• Medium Saucepan: Perfect for creating smooth cheese sauce and melting ingredients.
• Whisk: Key tool for blending flour, milk, and preventing lumps in sauce.
• Skillet or Baking Dish: Needed for combining mac and cheese with meatballs.
• Mixing Bowl: Used for combining meatball ingredients thoroughly.
• Measuring Cups/Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient proportions.
• Cheese Grater: Helps shred cheese for melting into sauce.
• Oven: Required for broiling meatballs and baking final dish.

How to Make Meatball Macaroni and Cheese

• Pasta Preparation

Boil salted water and cook pasta until slightly undercooked. Keep pasta warm and ready for transformation.

• Meatball Magic

Create tender meat mixture, rolling into bite-sized spheres. Broil these savory nuggets until golden and perfectly cooked through.

• Cheese SauceAlchemy

Craft a silky sauce by gently melting butter, whisking in flour, and slowly introducing milk. Incorporate shredded cheese until smooth and luxurious, seasoning with subtle spices.

• Harmonious Fusion

Combine pasta with velvety cheese sauce, nestling broiled meatballs throughout the dish. Allow flavors to meld and marry in a warm oven.

• Final Touch

Bake until bubbling with excitement, creating a golden, inviting surface that promises comfort and deliciousness. Optional broiler finish adds extra crispy excitement to this hearty meal.

Tips for Tweaking Your Meatball Mac and Cheese

• Expert Tips and Variations
• Experiment with different ground meat combinations like beef, pork, and veal for richer flavor profiles and unique textures.
• Mix multiple cheese varieties such as sharp cheddar, gruyère, and fontina to create a more sophisticated and layered cheese sauce.
• Sprinkle panko breadcrumbs, crushed buttery crackers, or toasted herbed breadcrumbs on top before baking for delightful extra crunch.
• Incorporate red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, or jalapeños into the meatball mixture or cheese sauce for a zesty kick that elevates the entire dish.
• Prepare meatballs and cheese sauce separately a day in advance, then assemble and bake when ready to serve for convenient meal planning.

Serve Up Meatball Macaroni and Cheese

• Pair with Fresh Sides: Complement the rich, cheesy dish with a crisp green salad or roasted vegetables to balance the meal's heaviness. The bright, fresh flavors will cut through the mac and cheese's richness.
• Elevate with Garnish: Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley or chives on top just before serving. These herb accents add a pop of color and a light, fresh note to the hearty casserole.
• Wine and Dine Pairing: Choose a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Zinfandel. These wines have enough acidity and fruit to stand up to the robust flavors of the meatballs and creamy cheese sauce.
• Serve with Crusty Bread: Include a slice of crusty garlic bread or a toasted baguette on the side. The bread will help soak up the delicious cheese sauce and provide a delightful textural contrast.

Meal Prep & Storage for Mac and Meatball Mix

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store leftover meatball mac and cheese in an airtight container for up to 4 days. The flavors will continue to meld and become even more delicious as they sit.
• Freeze for Future Meals: Wrap tightly in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty aluminum foil. Frozen portions stay fresh for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheat with Care: Warm in the oven at 350°F for best texture, covering with foil to prevent drying. Add a splash of milk to restore creaminess if the sauce seems thick. Microwave works in a pinch, but can make the cheese grainy.
• Prep Ahead Strategy: Assemble the entire dish earlier in the day and refrigerate. When ready to serve, pop it directly into the preheated oven. The make-ahead approach saves time and allows flavors to develop more deeply.

Hearty Meatball Macaroni And Cheese Recipe

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4.6 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Classic meatball macaroni and cheese brings comfort and richness to dinner tables across North America. Hearty protein-packed meatballs complement creamy cheese sauce, creating a satisfying meal you’ll want to savor with family and friends.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 0.5 lb (226.8 g) ground beef
• 0.5 lb (226.8 g) sweet Italian sausage meat
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup (240 ml) grated Parmesan cheese
• 0.5 cup (120 ml) dried breadcrumbs
• 1 tsp coarse salt
• 1 tsp fresh cracked pepper
• 0.75 lb (340.2 g) elbow noodles
• 3 tbsps butter
• 2 tbsps all-purpose flour
• 2.5 cups (600 ml) milk
• 0.75 lb (340.2 g) shredded cheese
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste
• 1 pinch nutmeg

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Instructions

1. Pasta Preparation: Salt boiling water and cook pasta 2 minutes shy of package instructions, then drain without rinsing or adding oil.
2. Meatball Crafting: Gently combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, eggs, herbs, and seasonings. Form compact 1-inch spheres and arrange on a lightly greased baking sheet.
3. Meatball Roasting: Position oven rack near top and broil meatballs 5-6 minutes, rotating pan for uniform browning. Confirm internal temperature reaches 160°F using meat thermometer.
4. Cheese Sauce Foundation: In a saucepan, melt butter and whisk in flour, creating a smooth roux without browning. Gradually stream milk, stirring continuously until sauce thickens and simmers gently.
5. Cheese Integration: Remove sauce from heat, gradually fold in shredded cheddar, parmesan, and monterey jack cheeses. Season with salt, pepper, and optional nutmeg, stirring until cheese melts completely.
6. Casserole Assembly: Preheat oven to 325°F. Fold cooked pasta into cheese sauce, ensuring thorough coating. Transfer to baking dish, strategically nestling broiled meatballs throughout the mixture.
7. Final Baking: Bake 20 minutes until casserole bubbles enthusiastically. Optional: Brief broiling for golden-brown surface, monitoring closely to prevent scorching.

Notes

• Prevent Meat Overmixing: Gently combine meatball ingredients to maintain tender, juicy texture and avoid tough, dense meatballs.
• Pasta Cooking Tip: Undercook pasta by 2 minutes to prevent mushiness during final baking, allowing it to absorb cheese sauce perfectly.
• Cheese Sauce Technique: Whisk continuously while adding milk to create smooth, lump-free roux and prevent sauce from scorching or separating.
• Meatball Temperature Safety: Use meat thermometer to confirm internal temperature reaches 160°F, ensuring complete and safe cooking without drying out proteins.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
• Method: Boiling/Broiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 493
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 844 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 41 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 26 g
• Cholesterol: 118 mg