Description
Loaded Mac & Cheese Deep Dish is a hearty, baked casserole featuring creamy, cheesy pasta layered with savory meat chunks and a crispy breadcrumb topping, finished with a tangy sour cream dollop—a perfect comfort food centerpiece.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 2 cups cooked elbow macaroni or rigatoni
- 3 tbsp butter
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk or half-and-half
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Smoked paprika or cayenne (optional)
- 1–2 cups cooked meat (steak, sausage, brisket), chopped
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs or crushed crackers
- 2 eggs, beaten
- Sour cream or cream cheese, for topping
- Chopped chives or parsley (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a deep-dish or springform pan.
- Cook pasta until just under al dente, drain and set aside.
- In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat, whisk in flour and cook 1 min to form roux. Gradually whisk in milk until thickened.
- Stir in cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan until smooth. Season with salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Mix pasta, cheese sauce, chopped meat, and eggs until well combined.
- Press breadcrumbs or crackers into bottom of prepared pan, then pour pasta mixture over.
- Top with extra cheese and breadcrumbs. Bake 35–45 min until golden and bubbling.
- Allow to cool 10 min, top with sour cream or cream cheese and garnish before serving.
Notes
- Use pulled pork, bacon, or chicken instead of steak.
- Substitute roasted veggies to make it meatless.
- Let rest before slicing to set structure.
- Use gluten-free substitutions if needed.
- Make ahead by assembling and refrigerating; add breadcrumbs just before baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of dish)
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 120mg