Meatloaf Casserole
This meatloaf casserole is my favorite way to use up leftover meatloaf, with layers of tender shell pasta, creamy ricotta and mozzarella, crumbled meatloaf, and meatloaf sauce baked until bubbly. It’s a lot like a meatloaf lasagna, and it’s ready in about 45 minutes.
A Quick Look At The Recipe
- Recipe Name: Meatloaf Casserole
- Serves: 6
- Main Ingredients: crumbled leftover meatloaf, meatloaf sauce, uncooked small shell pasta, ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese
- Why You'll Love It: Turn your leftover meatloaf into this quick and easy meatloaf casserole recipe, with delicious layers of pasta, ricotta and mozzarella cheese, and meatloaf sauce.
Most folks I know turn leftover meatloaf into sandwiches, and those are good too, but I’m a casserole person. This one gives you a whole new supper out of last night’s dinner, and if you’re looking for another fun meatloaf twist, try my meatloaf burgers.
A New Supper From Leftover Meatloaf
My husband and I first fell for this casserole made with leftover sloppy joe meat, so one night I decided to try it with meatloaf and meatloaf sauce instead. It was every bit as good as we’d hoped, and it’s been our go-to for leftover meatloaf ever since.
You cook the pasta, stir the cheeses together, and layer everything in a 9×13 dish, so there’s very little hands-on work. It’s a good one to keep in mind whenever you make a big meatloaf like my slow cooker meatloaf, since you can plan for leftovers on purpose.
Ingredients for Meatloaf Casserole
- Leftover meatloaf: Crumble 2 to 4 cups, depending on how much you have. It can go in straight from the fridge, and any meatloaf works, including my Italian meatloaf.
- Meatloaf sauce: Use a can of meatloaf sauce, a can of seasoned tomato sauce, or about 2 cups of homemade sauce made with ketchup, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Small shell pasta: The little shells catch the sauce and cheese. Any small pasta like elbows or ditalini works too.
- Ricotta and mozzarella: Stirred together, they make a creamy layer that holds the casserole together, much like the cheese layer in lasagna.
You’ll find the full amounts in the recipe card below.
Helpful Tips Before You Start
- Don’t overcook the pasta. Cook it just to the low end of the package time, since it’ll soften a bit more in the oven.
- Crumble the meatloaf into small pieces. Smaller crumbles spread more evenly and make the casserole easier to cut and serve.
- Spread the sauce to the edges. Covering the whole top keeps the edges from drying out while it bakes.
- Bake uncovered. That lets the top get bubbly and a little browned in spots.
- Let it rest a few minutes. A short rest after baking helps the layers set, so each serving holds together, the same way you’d let lasagna rest.
How to Make Meatloaf Casserole
1. Cook the Pasta
Cook and drain the pasta according to the package directions.
Spread the pasta in the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish.
2. Mix the Cheeses
In a large bowl, stir the ricotta and mozzarella together until they’re well combined.
3. Layer the Casserole
Spread half of the cheese mixture over the pasta.
Top it with half of the meatloaf sauce, spreading it out to cover the whole top.
Add all of the crumbled meatloaf in an even layer. Mine was straight from the fridge, in case you’re wondering.
Top the meatloaf with the rest of the cheese mixture.
Spread the remaining sauce over the top.
4. Bake
Bake uncovered at 350°F for 30 minutes, or until it’s hot and bubbly.
Scoop out a big serving and enjoy it with a side of fresh green beans and a warm dinner roll.
More Ways to Use Leftover Meatloaf
If you have more meatloaf than you need for this casserole, here are a few other ideas we like.
- Meatloaf sandwiches: Warm a slice in a skillet and pile it on toasted bread with a little ketchup or cheese.
- Mashed potato topping: Swap the pasta and cheese for a layer of mashed potatoes topped with shredded cheddar, bacon bits, and fried onions for a cowboy-style meatloaf casserole.
- Spaghetti sauce: Crumble it into marinara and serve it over spaghetti, a lot like my crock pot spaghetti.
- Breakfast hash: Brown crumbled meatloaf with diced fried potatoes and top it with a fried egg.
- Stuffed peppers: Mix crumbled meatloaf with cooked rice and use it as the filling for stuffed pepper casserole.
What to Serve With Meatloaf Casserole
- Vegetables: fresh green beans, candied carrots, or a simple green salad
- Bread: homemade dinner rolls or garlic bread
- Potatoes: loaded twice baked potatoes if you want a really hearty supper
Storing and Freezing
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat them in the microwave. You can also freeze leftovers for up to 3 months, then thaw them overnight in the fridge before reheating.
If you make meatloaf often, my guide to making and freezing meatloaf walks through how to freeze it ahead so you always have some on hand for a casserole like this one.
Meatloaf Casserole FAQs
Can I use any kind of meatloaf?
Yes. Beef, turkey, or a mix all work, and so does a lower-carb version like Susan’s to-die-for low carb meatloaf.
Can I make it ahead?
You can assemble it, cover it, and keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to bake. Add a few extra minutes to the bake time since it’ll go in cold.
What if I don’t have meatloaf sauce?
Use about 2 cups of seasoned tomato sauce or marinara, or stir together ketchup, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper for a quick homemade version.
Can I use cottage cheese instead of ricotta?
Cottage cheese works if that’s what you have. The cheese layer will just be a little looser.
More Ground Beef and Casserole Recipes
Meatloaf Casserole
Ingredients
- 2-4 cups crumbled leftover meatloaf
- 1 can meatloaf sauce or 2 cups homemade meatloaf sauce
- 2 cups uncooked small shell pasta
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions and drain. Place in the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish.2 cups uncooked small shell pasta
- In a medium bowl, stir together both types of cheese until well combined.2 cups ricotta cheese, 2 cups mozzarella cheese
- Top pasta in the casserole dish with half of the cheese mixture. Spread half the meatloaf sauce over the top. Top with the crumbled meatloaf mixture. Add remaining cheese and top with remaining sauce, spreading to cover the top.1 can meatloaf sauce, 2-4 cups crumbled leftover meatloaf
- Bake, uncovered, at 350 for 30 minutes or until bubbly.
Great idea. I have also added leftover meatloaf to a jar of pasta sauce, add a mashed clove of garlic and some red pepper flakes and served over pasta.
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I tried this recipe and it was deicious. I used meatloaf just for this dish because leftover meatloaf doesn’t exist. I also want to try it with sloopy joe meat, which never has leftovers either & then maybe with just cooked ground meat and onions. The only change I may try is to increase the amount of meatloaf sauce and possibly the cheese mixture. I did add a few spices too.
Regarding the content of the dialouge, I too feel that the direction of our country and the lives we may lead is not always positive and way too complicated. Although, I still believe that there is good in most of us. I also believe that the majority of our citizens don’t live the life that is portrayed through the media as commonplace. I can’t stand the Toyota commercial that portrays parents as lame because they don’t drive a Highlander. The media portrays kids as having no respect for others, especially adults. I don’t think that is the way the majority raises their kids but it is what is portrayed to our kids and families. I feel blessed to have a great relationship with my three adult daughters. My youngest, a civil engineering student wants to come home one weekend so we can shop for the business attire she needs for her honors faternity functions. I assumed she would want me to just send her some money but she wants to come home and us shop together. How great is that? Gotta love it!! I will fix this casserole for her too, I know she’ll love it. Thanks for this awesome recipe and story.
Sorry for any typos. The text on this mini laptop is very tiny & the keyboard is somewhat delayed in keeping up with what I type.
Thank you so much Geo!! I hope ya’ll have fun shopping, that is the best compliment!
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Hi Christy,
You know I love you from afar and admire you as a food writer, but what is this “leftover meatloaf” you speak of?
My “babies,” all still living at home, are 21, 19, 16 and 16 and three of them are male — PLUS, my 19-year-old daughter’s boyfriend is often here for dinner, so this phantom “leftover meatloaf” ingredient is indeed something I’ve never experienced.
^.^
Guess I’ll have to start making TWO meatloaves at a time (I know, there’s a Southern Plate post for that)!
Hugs,
— Erika
I love this, and for a different reason. There are only two of us, and what to do with left over meatloaf is a trial. THANK YOU!!!