This Cracker Barrel Meatloaf recipe is the ultimate comfort food! Juicy meatloaf is topped with a mouth-watering glaze that will have you coming back for seconds (and maybe even thirds).
There are many different ways to make meatloaf, but Cracker Barrel’s Southern meatloaf recipe is one of the best. Ritz cracker crumbs are the secret ingredient, and it is topped off with a sticky sweet meatloaf glaze.
The glaze caramelized on top as the meatloaf bakes for a distinctive and delicious flavor. So make meatloaf for dinner and enjoy this copycat recipe for one of Cracker Barrel’s most iconic meals.
Find more amazing comfort food recipes! Try Crockpot Chili, Spicy Chicken Riggies, or Italian Mushroom Stew for more delicious dinners.
🥘Key Ingredients
For exact amounts needed see the recipe card below
- ground beef
- yellow onion
- green bell pepper
- Ritz crackers
- sharp cheddar cheese
- eggs
- milk
- salt
- black pepper
- ketchup
- brown sugar
- yellow mustard
🥣How to Make Cracker Barrel Meatloaf
- Mix – Combine the ground beef, onion, green pepper, crushed crackers, shredded cheese, eggs, milk, salt and pepper in a mixing bowl. Mix thoroughly but don’t overmix.
- Shape – Shape the meat mixture into a loaf shape and put it on an aluminum foil lined baking sheet.
- Bake – Bake in a preheated 350 degree F oven for 30 minutes.
- Glaze – Mix the ketchup, brown sugar and mustard in a bowl. Spread the ketchup mixture all over the top of the meatloaf.
- Bake More – Bake it for an additional 30-40 minutes, or until it reaches 165 degrees F internally.
- Rest – Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
🍴Serving Ideas
Serve your meatloaf with mashed potatoes for a classic meal! It is also great with carrots, green beans, asparagus or a fresh loaf of bread.
Make some extra sauce to serve on the side, or just put a bottle of ketchup or BBQ sauce on the table.
💭How to Store
Store leftover meatloaf in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 days. You can make classic cold meatloaf sandwiches or heat it back up in the oven.
Meatloaf can be frozen for up to 3 months. Just let it cool and then wrap it tightly before freezing. When you are ready to serve it let it thaw in the fridge ovrenight.
To reheat this Cracker Barrel Meatloaf recipe wrap it in foil and bake it at 350 F for about half an hour.
❤️Variations
While this is a copycat recipe made to taste like Cracker Barrel you can change things up to suit your tastes. Here are some possibilities:
- Use BBQ sauce as glaze.
- Add some minced garlic.
- Make these into 2 mini meatloaves and just reduce the bake time to about 50 minutes
- If you like a more caramelized topping add the sauce when the meatloaf first goes in the oven.
⭐Tips
Be sure to check out the step by step instructions
- Don’t overmix the meatloaf or it will be dry instead of juicy.
- If you like your veggies to be more finely cut use a food processor to mince them.
- Use an instant read thermometer to test the meatloaf for doneness. Don’t guess just based on cooking time.
📝FAQ
Lean ground beef is the best to use in this recipe and gives the most authentic Cracker Barrel taste. But ground turkey also works well and makes a tasty meatloaf.
Overmixing is the most common reason for dry meatloaf. Mix it just enough to combine the ingredients, but don’t squeeze the meat together.
In addition, don’t overcook the meatloaf. Use a thermometer to test the internal temperature and take it out once it reaches 165 degrees F.
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Copycat Cracker Barrel Meatloaf Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1/2 onion diced
- green pepper diced
- 1 1/2 sleeves of crushed Ritz crackers
- ¾ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 3 eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Glaze Ingredients
- 3/4 cup ketchup
- 2 ½ tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoon yellow mustard
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, onion, bell pepper, eggs, crushed Ritz crackers, cheese, milk, salt and black pepper.2 pounds ground beef, 1/2 onion, green pepper, 1 1/2 sleeves of crushed Ritz crackers, ¾ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 3 eggs, 1/2 cup milk, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Mix well until everything is combined.
- On a foil lined baking sheet form the meatloaf mixture into a loaf shape. Or place it in a loaf pan if you prefer.
- Bake for 30 minutes.
- While it bakes combine the ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard.3/4 cup ketchup, 2 ½ tablespoons brown sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoon yellow mustard
- Remove the meatloaf from the oven and spread the ketchup glaze all over the top of the meatloaf.
- Pop back in the oven and cook for another 40 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to make sure it has reached 165 degree F internally.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes.
- Slice and serve!
Notes
- Don’t overmix the meatloaf or it will be dry instead of juicy.
- If you like your veggies to be more finely cut use a food processor to mince them.
- Use an instant read thermometer to test the meatloaf for doneness. Don’t guess just based on cooking time.
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Nutrition Information
Nutrition facts are estimates.
Well done, thanks for the amazing effort and well written article. Reminds me of the Cook Illustrated level of professionalism and passion for food and cooking! God Bless!
If you could only copy-cat Arizona’s famous dive – Chino Bandito’s black bean recipe. There complimentary snickerdoodle cookie, along with mains such as, the jade-red chicken and jerk chicken are all extraordinary too.