Description
Hearty Cracker Barrel meatloaf delivers classic comfort straight from Southern kitchens, blending rich ground beef with savory seasonings. Generous portions and homestyle flavors invite you to savor a delicious slice of nostalgic American cuisine.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1.5 pounds (680 grams) ground beef
- 4 ounces (113 grams) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 32 Ritz crackers, crushed
Binding and Moisture Ingredients:
- 2 eggs
- 2/3 cup (160 milliliters) milk
- 1/2 cup (75 grams) chopped onion
Seasoning and Topping Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) ketchup
- 1/2 cup (100 grams) brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon mustard
Instructions
- Whisk eggs in a spacious mixing bowl until smooth and frothy.
- Pour milk and crumble Ritz crackers into the eggs, stirring thoroughly to create a uniform base.
- Fold diced onions and grated cheddar cheese into the egg mixture, ensuring even distribution.
- Gently incorporate ground beef, seasoning with salt and pepper, blending carefully without overmixing.
- Mold the meat mixture into a compact, symmetrical loaf shape within a baking dish.
- Heat oven to 350F and position the dish in the center rack.
- Bake the meatloaf for 30 minutes, allowing initial cooking and flavor development.
- Simultaneously, craft the glaze by whisking ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard until glossy and well-combined.
- Remove meatloaf and generously brush half the prepared glaze across the surface.
- Return to oven and continue baking for 15-20 minutes, periodically checking internal temperature.
- Apply remaining glaze during the final 5-10 minutes of cooking, creating a caramelized, tangy crust.
- Verify doneness by ensuring internal temperature reaches 160F, then let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Crush Ritz crackers finely to ensure a smooth, consistent texture throughout the meatloaf mixture.
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess grease and prevent a soggy final dish.
- For a gluten-free version, swap Ritz crackers with gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed gluten-free crackers.
- Adjust the sweet-tangy topping by balancing ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard to suit personal taste preferences.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60-65 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 478 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 870 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg