Description
Comfort classics reach new heights with Cracker Barrel Meatloaf, a hearty dish that blends savory ground beef, sweet ketchup glaze, and homestyle seasonings. Home cooks will love this simple yet satisfying recipe that brings warmth and nostalgia to dinner tables across America.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein and Dairy:
- 1.5 pounds ground beef (80% lean)
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup whole milk
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- ½ cup green bell pepper, finely diced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Binding and Topping Ingredients:
- 1 cup crushed Ritz crackers (about 24 crackers)
- ½ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
Instructions
- Prepare your culinary workspace by heating the oven to 350F (175C). Protect your baking surface with parchment paper or a light coating of oil to prevent sticking.
- In a spacious mixing vessel, amalgamate ground beef with finely chopped onion, diced green bell pepper, crushed Ritz crackers, shredded cheddar cheese, whisked eggs, and whole milk. Season with salt and black pepper. Gently fold ingredients until just incorporated, taking care not to compress the mixture excessively.
- Mold the meat blend into a rustic loaf shape, approximately 9-5 inches long, ensuring an even distribution on the prepared baking sheet.
- Slide the uncoated meatloaf into the preheated oven and allow it to roast for a half-hour, developing rich internal flavors.
- Simultaneously, craft a vibrant glaze by whisking together ketchup, brown sugar, and yellow mustard until the mixture achieves a harmonious, glossy consistency.
- After the initial roasting period, extract the meatloaf and lavishly brush the surface with the prepared glaze, ensuring complete and even coverage.
- Return the glazed meatloaf to the oven, continuing the cooking process for an additional 30 minutes. Monitor the internal temperature, which should reach 160F (70C) for optimal food safety.
- Once cooked, remove from the oven and permit the meatloaf to rest momentarily. This crucial pause allows internal juices to redistribute, guaranteeing a succulent dining experience. Slice and serve warm.
Notes
- Protect your hands by wearing food-safe gloves when mixing ingredients to prevent overworking the meat mixture, which can make the meatloaf tough and dense.
- Choose lean ground beef around 85/15 or 90/10 fat content for a juicier texture without excessive greasiness, ensuring a perfect balance of flavor and moisture.
- Swap Ritz crackers with gluten-free alternatives like crushed rice crackers or gluten-free breadcrumbs to accommodate celiac or gluten-sensitive diets, maintaining the recipe’s classic crumbly texture.
- Enhance the meatloaf’s nutrition by adding finely grated carrots or zucchini to the mixture, which boosts vegetable intake without compromising the traditional taste and helps keep the meat moist.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg