Description
Classic Cracker Barrel Meatloaf delivers hearty comfort from Southern kitchens to dinner tables. Home cooks can quickly recreate this savory dish with simple ingredients and straightforward preparation you’ll enjoy sharing with family.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 2 pounds (907 grams) ground beef
Cheese and Dairy:
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) whole milk
- 2 large eggs
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 small green bell pepper, finely chopped
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) crushed Ritz crackers
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) ketchup
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9×5-inch loaf pan by greasing or lining with parchment paper.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, thoroughly combine ground beef with finely chopped onion, diced green bell pepper, crushed Ritz crackers, beaten eggs, shredded cheddar cheese, milk, ketchup, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Gently mix ingredients until just incorporated, avoiding overmixing.
- Carefully transfer the meat mixture into the prepared loaf pan, using gentle pressure to create an even, compact layer.
- Create a tangy glaze by whisking together ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard in a separate bowl until smooth and well-blended.
- Drizzle and spread the glaze evenly across the surface of the meatloaf, ensuring complete coverage.
- Place the meatloaf in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 1 hour, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C) when checked with a meat thermometer.
- Remove from oven and allow the meatloaf to rest for 10 minutes, which helps the juices redistribute and makes slicing easier.
- Slice into generous portions and serve warm, accompanied by your favorite side dishes.
Notes
- Avoid overmixing the meat mixture to prevent a dense, tough texture that can make the meatloaf less tender and juicy.
- Swap Ritz crackers with gluten-free crackers or breadcrumbs for a gluten-free version that maintains the original recipe’s delicious flavor profile.
- Use lean ground beef (90/10) to reduce excess fat while keeping the meatloaf moist and preventing a greasy final dish.
- Enhance nutrition by adding finely grated carrots or zucchini to the meat mixture, which blends seamlessly and boosts vegetable intake without compromising taste.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 504 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 755 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 17 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 190 mg