Enjoy a comforting, flavorful meatloaf just like Cracker Barrel, featuring Ritz crackers, cheddar cheese, and a sweet ketchup glaze.
Author:purejoyalex
Prep Time:20 min
Cook Time:1 hour
Total Time:1 hour 20 min
Yield:6-8 servings 1x
Category:Dinner
Method:Baking
Cuisine:American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
2 pounds ground beef
1 cup crushed Ritz crackers
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1/2 cup finely chopped green bell pepper
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup ketchup, plus more for glaze
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a loaf pan or line a baking sheet with parchment paper if you prefer freeform.
In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, crushed Ritz crackers, cheddar cheese, onion, green bell pepper, eggs, milk, 1/4 cup ketchup, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined. Do not overmix.
Shape the mixture into a loaf in the prepared loaf pan or on the baking sheet.
In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining ketchup, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce for the glaze.
Spread half of the glaze over the top of the meatloaf.
Bake for 45 minutes.
Spread the remaining glaze over the meatloaf and bake for another 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
For a richer flavor, you can use a mix of ground beef and ground pork.
This meatloaf freezes well. Let it cool completely, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap and then foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat in the oven or microwave.
If you don’t have Ritz crackers, you can use other buttery crackers or plain breadcrumbs.
This recipe is a great option for meal planning, providing a delicious and satisfying dinner that can be prepped ahead of time.