Name: Cracker Barrel Meatloaf Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 h 15 min
Total time: 1 h 25 min
Yield: 10
Ingredients: 2 lbs lean ground beef (80/20 blend); 1 ¼ cups crushed Ritz crackers; 1 cup freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese; ½ cup finely chopped green bell pepper; ½ cup finely diced sweet yellow onion; ½ cup half-and-half or whole milk; 2 extra-large eggs, beaten; 1 ½ tsp kosher salt; 1 tsp freshly cracked black pepper; ¾ cup ketchup; 2 ½ tbsp packed light brown sugar; 2 tsp yellow mustard; 2 tsp Coles Worcestershire Sauce

Ingredients

Scale

For the Meatloaf Base

2 lbs lean ground beef (80/20 blend)
1 ¼ cups crushed Ritz crackers
1 cup freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese
½ cup finely chopped green bell pepper
½ cup finely diced sweet yellow onion
½ cup half-and-half or whole milk
2 extra-large eggs, beaten
1 ½ tsp kosher salt
1 tsp freshly cracked black pepper

For the Ketchup Glaze

¾ cup ketchup
2 ½ tbsp packed light brown sugar
2 tsp yellow mustard
2 tsp Coles Worcestershire Sauce

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat and prep: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Line your baking sheet with foil and parchment for easy cleanup. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself later.
Mix it up: Combine the ground beef, crackers, cheese, peppers, onion, milk, eggs, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. I find using your hands (with gloves!) gives the best texture. Be gentle; overmixing can make the meatloaf dense.
Shape it: Transfer the mixture to your prepared baking sheet and form it into a rectangular loaf, about 10 inches long and 6 inches wide. It should hold its shape but not be packed too tightly.
First bake: Bake the meatloaf for 30 minutes while you make the glaze.
Whip up the glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. It only takes a minute, but the payoff is huge.
Glaze and finish: After the first bake, spread the glaze evenly over the meatloaf. Pop it back in the oven for another 40 minutes, or until it reaches 160°F.
Rest and slice: Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing. This helps it hold together better (and gives you time to set the table!).

Notes

This recipe serves about 10 slices, but it’s easy to adjust. For a smaller family, halve the recipe and reduce baking time by about 10 minutes. For a crowd, double the ingredients and divide the mixture into two smaller loaves to ensure even cooking. Just keep an eye on the internal temperature—it’s the key to perfect meatloaf every time.

Author: Lily
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Category: Dinner