Description
Cracker Barrel meatloaf recipe delivers classic comfort with ground beef, tangy sauce, and hearty flavors. Home cooks can easily recreate this beloved dish, enjoying a nostalgic meal that brings warmth to family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 pounds (907 grams) ground beef
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup crushed Ritz crackers
Vegetables:
- 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
- 1/2 cup finely chopped green bell pepper
Seasoning and Sauce:
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
Instructions
- Create a cozy workspace and gather all ingredients for this homestyle classic.
- Gently combine ground beef with finely diced onion, bell pepper, crushed Ritz crackers, eggs, milk, salt, and pepper in a spacious mixing bowl, ensuring even distribution.
- Mold the meat mixture into a compact, uniform loaf shape, carefully transferring it to a lightly greased loaf pan.
- Craft a tangy glaze by whisking ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard until smooth and well-blended.
- Generously coat the entire surface of the meatloaf with the prepared glaze, creating an appetizing golden-brown topping.
- Position the pan in a preheated 350°F oven and bake for approximately 60 minutes, monitoring until the internal temperature reaches a safe 160°F.
- Remove from the oven and allow the meatloaf to rest for 10 minutes, enabling the juices to redistribute and ensuring a moist, tender texture.
- Slice into hearty portions and serve hot, presenting a comforting meal that promises to delight family and friends.
Notes
- Choose lean ground beef with 80/20 or 85/15 fat content to ensure a moist, flavorful meatloaf without excess grease.
- Crush Ritz crackers finely to create a uniform texture and help bind the ingredients together effectively.
- Avoid overmixing the meat mixture to prevent a tough, dense meatloaf; gently combine ingredients just until incorporated.
- Customize the glaze by adding a splash of Worcestershire sauce or hot sauce for an extra flavor kick.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 475 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 560 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 210 mg