Description
Cracker Barrel meatloaf brings classic comfort straight from Southern kitchens to your dinner table. Hearty ground beef, savory seasonings, and a rich glaze create a nostalgic meal that satisfies hunger and warms hearts with familiar flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1.5 pounds (680 grams) lean ground beef
- 1 small finely chopped onion
- 1/2 finely chopped green bell pepper
- 1 lightly beaten egg
- 1/2 cup (60 grams) crushed Ritz crackers (about 12)
Liquid and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) milk
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Topping Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) ketchup
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
Instructions
- Prepare the cooking environment by heating the oven to 175°C (350°F) and preparing a loaf pan with a light grease or parchment paper lining.
- In a spacious mixing vessel, thoroughly combine ground beef with finely diced onion, bell pepper, egg, crumbled Ritz crackers, milk, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Blend ingredients gently to maintain a light texture, avoiding excessive manipulation.
- Carefully transfer the meat mixture into the prepared pan, smoothing the surface to create an uniform, compact loaf with gentle pressure.
- Craft a vibrant glaze by whisking together ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard in a separate container. Distribute the mixture evenly across the meatloaf’s surface, ensuring complete coverage.
- Position the pan in the preheated oven and roast for 60-70 minutes. Confirm doneness by verifying the internal temperature reaches 70°C (160°F), which guarantees thorough cooking.
- After removing from the oven, allow the meatloaf to settle for 10 minutes. This resting period enables juice redistribution, resulting in more succulent slices. Serve immediately while warm for optimal flavor and texture.
Notes
- Choose ground beef with 80/20 fat content for the juiciest, most flavorful meatloaf that won’t dry out during baking.
- Crush Ritz crackers into fine, uniform crumbs to ensure even texture and consistent binding throughout the meat mixture.
- Brush glaze multiple times during baking for deeper, more complex flavor and a beautifully glossy exterior.
- Swap ground beef for ground turkey or plant-based meat alternatives to accommodate different dietary preferences while maintaining similar texture and taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 65 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg