Copycat Cracker Barrel Meatloaf Recipe
This Copycat Cracker Barrel Meatloaf recipe is a hearty, comforting dish featuring a flavorful blend of ground beef, diced vegetables, crushed Ritz crackers, and sharp cheddar cheese. Topped with a sweet and tangy ketchup glaze, this meatloaf bakes to juicy perfection and is perfect for an easy family dinner.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Meatloaf
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1/2 onion, diced
- 1 green pepper, diced
- 1 1/2 sleeves crushed Ritz crackers
- 3/4 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 3 eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Glaze
- 3/4 cup ketchup
- 2 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons yellow mustard
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the meatloaf.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, diced onion, diced green pepper, eggs, crushed Ritz crackers, shredded cheddar cheese, milk, salt, and black pepper.
- Mix Thoroughly: Mix all the ingredients well until fully combined, ensuring even distribution of flavors and textures throughout the mixture.
- Shape Meatloaf: On a foil-lined baking sheet, form the meatloaf mixture into a loaf shape. Alternatively, you can place the mixture into a loaf pan if preferred for a more uniform shape.
- Initial Bake: Bake the meatloaf in the preheated oven for 30 minutes to start cooking the meat thoroughly.
- Prepare Glaze: While the meatloaf bakes, combine the ketchup, brown sugar, and yellow mustard in a small bowl to prepare the sweet and tangy glaze.
- Apply Glaze: Remove the meatloaf from the oven after 30 minutes and spread the ketchup glaze evenly over the top of the loaf.
- Final Bake: Return the glazed meatloaf to the oven and bake for an additional 40 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to verify that the internal temperature has reached at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit for safe consumption.
- Rest: Remove the meatloaf from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes. This resting period helps the juices redistribute, making the meatloaf moist and easier to slice.
- Serve: Slice the meatloaf into desired portions and serve hot. Enjoy your classic, hearty meal!
Notes
- Using crushed Ritz crackers adds a buttery flavor and helps keep the meatloaf moist.
- Feel free to substitute ground beef with ground turkey or a beef/pork mix as desired.
- Make sure the internal temperature reaches 165°F to ensure the meatloaf is safely cooked through.
- Letting the meatloaf rest before slicing improves texture and juiciness.
- You can customize the glaze by adding Worcestershire sauce or hot sauce for extra flavor.
Keywords: meatloaf, copycat, Cracker Barrel, ground beef, comfort food, baked meatloaf, meatloaf recipe, dinner
Find it online: https://foodbylina.com/copycat-cracker-barrel-meatloaf-recipe/
