This Cracker Barrel Meatloaf Recipe brings the mouth-watering flavors of your favorite restaurant right into your kitchen with crushed Ritz crackers for tender texture, sharp cheddar cheese for rich flavor, and sweet tinged ketchup brown sugar glaze bake the taste right into the recipe-all these points bring mean comfort food. Best together with creamy mashed potatoes and green beans, you really have a meal that is very close to a cozy dinner at Cracker Barrel!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Family Favorite: Satisfying both savory and sweet tastes, the dish turns any crowd into a loved one.
Cheesy Butteriness: The sharpness of Cheddar cheese and the buttery Ritz crackers definitely trigger the comfort vibes in this meatloaf.
Quick and Easy: With basic steps of preparation and ingredients that are found by pantry shopping, it is a great start for new chefs making meatloaf.
Good as Leftovers: Tastes even better the day after! Can be used for a good sandwich or reheating on a plate.
Home Style : It brings the English country house ambience and flavor of Cracker Barrel into your kitchen.
Key Ingredients
Ground Beef : Lean ground beef 80/20 works great in blending tenderness with flavor. However, if you want, then you can try a richer mix flanking beef and pork.
Ritz crackers: Broken ritz crackers (like you would break them when you crumble them on top for toppings over a casserole) yield a buttery, slightly salty flavor… in the loaf… and of course a binder.
Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese: The cheese, shredded, as it melts in the cake, gives a nice creamy distribution of flavor.
Glazed Ketchup: Take ketchup, sugar together and create a fortified bond between sweet tangy flavors and the ketchupy texture before popping them into the oven.
Chopped Onion: Finely diced onions give a slight sweetness and moistness.
Complete list of ingredients with quantities and instructions is located in the recipe card below
Step-by-Step Directions
1. Preparation
Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure even cooking.
Prepare the Pan: Lightly grease an 8×8-inch baking pan to prevent sticking.
2. Mixing Ingredients
Beat and Mix: In a large mixing bowl, beat 2 large eggs. Stir in:
3/4 cup of milk
1 cup of crushed Ritz crackers
Mix until well combined.
Add Onion and Cheese: Stir in:
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
Combine with Ground Beef: Add:
1 1/2 pounds of ground beef
Salt and pepper to taste
Mix thoroughly with your hands or a spoon until all ingredients are evenly combined.
3. Shaping the Loaf
Shape: Form the mixture into a loaf shape.
Place in Pan: Transfer the loaf to the prepared 8×8-inch baking pan.
4. Baking
Initial Bake: Bake the meatloaf in the preheated oven for 45-60 minutes, or until fully cooked. The internal temperature should reach 160°F (71°C).
5. Preparing the Topping
Combine Ingredients: In a small bowl, mix:
1/2 cup of ketchup
2 tablespoons of brown sugar
1 tablespoon of mustard
6. Applying the Topping
Add First Layer: After 30 minutes of baking, spoon half of the topping evenly over the meatloaf.
Continue Baking: Return the meatloaf to the oven for an additional 10 minutes.
Add Second Layer: Apply the remaining topping and bake for another 5-10 minutes, or until the topping is bubbly and slightly caramelized.
7. Serving
Rest: Allow the meatloaf to rest for 5-10 minutes after removing it from the oven. This helps the juices redistribute for easier slicing.
Slice and Serve: Cut into slices and serve warm. Pair with mashed potatoes, steamed vegetables, or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
Serving Suggestions
Pair your Cracker Barrel Meatloaf with sides of the best comfort foods for a perfect meal:
Mashed Potatoes: A scoopful of creamy mashed potatoes with a butter pat can do the trick.
Steamed or Boiled Vegetables: Green bean, broccoli, or carrot fill the gap with a colorful dose for balance in the meal.
Mac and Cheese: Double your cheesy pleasure with this indulgent side.
Cornbread or Rolls: Served hot with bread to absorb the delicious juices and glaze.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Refrigerating to Keep
Put leftovers into a fantastic airtight container for preserving the meatloaf in the fridge for up to three days.
Freezing Process
For best effect, wrap slices in foil and afterwards tightly seal it whole one loaf itself, then place in a bag or a container safe in your refrigerator and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw on the following day in your refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating meatloaf
It is better reheated under indirect heat like an open oven fire or a barbecue. This locks up all the moisture in the food rather than allowing it to evaporate.
Variations
Turkey or Chicken Meatloaf: Optionally use lean ground turkey or chicken for the loaf.
Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red chili flakes to the glaze for a little heat.
Vegetable Boost: Put finely grated carrots or zucchini in the mixture for moisture.
BBQ Twist: The main ingredient here becomes your favorite BBQ sauce instead of ketchup in the glazing.
Gluten-Free Alternative: Use gluten-free crackers/breadcrumbs in place of Ritz crackers.
Conclusion
Cracker Barrel Meatloaf is a classic comfort food-all that delicious rich savory flavor with just a hint of sweet from the undeniable ketchup glaze on top. It’s relatively simple, it feeds a crowd, filling, or can be simply enjoyed as leftovers when everything everywhere finally disappears back into order.
That fact does not hold true for the perfection of the art in the kitchen versus that of the great affair of life.
Pro Tip from the Pro: Just mix those meats—you’ll have a dense, tough loaf if you mix very much.
Getting prepared, oh yes, about to heat your oven up with all that comfort side stuff that makes you feel good and ready for the yummy flavors of this old meatloaf. Your family will as of now and beyond ask for seconds (and thirds).
Cracker Barrel Meatloaf
Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- 2/3 cup milk
- 25 Ritz crackers crushed
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 4 ounces shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 1/2 lbs ground beef
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon mustard
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease an 8x8-inch baking pan to prevent sticking.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat eggs. Stir in milk and crushed Ritz crackers. Add chopped onion, shredded cheddar cheese, ground beef, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly combined.
- Form the mixture into a loaf shape and transfer it to the prepared baking pan.
- Bake the meatloaf in the preheated oven for 45-60 minutes, or until fully cooked. The internal temperature should reach 160°F (71°C).
- In a small bowl, mix together ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard until smooth.
- After 30 minutes of baking, spoon half of the topping evenly over the meatloaf. Return to the oven for 10 minutes, then apply the remaining topping and bake for another 5-10 minutes until bubbly and caramelized.
- Allow the meatloaf to rest for 5-10 minutes after removing it from the oven. Slice and serve warm with mashed potatoes, steamed vegetables, or a fresh salad.
