Description
Cracker Barrel meatloaf brings homestyle comfort to dinner tables across America. Hearty ground beef, savory seasonings, and a tangy glaze create a classic comfort meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs (907 g) ground beef
- 3 large eggs
- 1.5 cups (360 ml) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup (240 ml) crushed Ritz crackers
- 0.5 cup (120 ml) milk
- 0.5 cup (120 ml) chopped onion
- 0.5 cup (120 ml) chopped green bell pepper
- 0.25 cup (60 ml) ketchup
- 1 tbsp yellow mustard
- 2 tbsps brown sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare a baking dish by lightly coating it with oil or cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- In a spacious mixing vessel, gently combine ground beef with finely diced onion, chopped green bell pepper, crumbled Ritz crackers, whisked eggs, and milk until ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Incorporate shredded cheese, salt, and black pepper into the meat mixture, ensuring uniform blending without overmixing.
- Carefully mold the meat mixture into a compact, symmetrical loaf shape, positioning it centrally in the prepared baking dish.
- Create a tangy glaze by whisking together ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard until smooth and well-integrated.
- Generously brush the glaze over the entire surface of the meatloaf, ensuring complete and even coverage.
- Place the baking dish in a preheated oven at 350F (175C) and cook for approximately 60 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160F (71C).
- Remove the meatloaf from the oven and allow it to rest for 10 minutes, which helps the juices redistribute and makes slicing easier.
- Slice the meatloaf into even portions and serve hot, accompanied by your favorite side dishes.
Notes
- Choose lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and create a healthier version of the meatloaf.
- Crush Ritz crackers finely to ensure even distribution and better binding of the meat mixture.
- Replace milk with non-dairy alternatives like almond or oat milk for lactose-intolerant individuals.
- Try ground turkey or plant-based meat substitutes for a lighter protein option that maintains the classic meatloaf texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 478
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 665 mg
- Fat: 33 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 200 mg