Are you looking for a delicious, hearty meal that will please the entire family? If so, you'll want to check out this copycat Cracker Barrel meatloaf recipe! This dish is packed with flavor and is sure to leave everyone satisfied. Plus, it's easy to make and only requires a few simple ingredients.
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Everyone loves a good copycat recipe. Cracker Barrel Fried Aop
Why you'll love this recipe
- Our Cracker Barrel Meatloaf is easy to make and packed with flavor that will satisfy the entire family.
- This easy copycat recipe only requires simple ingredients that you may already have on hand.
- Southern classic comfort food, perfect for a family meal.
- The buttery crackers add flavor to the meatloaf.
Ingredients
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- lean ground beef
- onion, peeled and diced
- green bell pepper, seeded and diced
- Ritz crackers, crushed, any butter crackers will work
- sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- large eggs
- whole milk
- salt
- ground black pepper
Meatloaf Glaze
- ketchup
- light brown sugar
- yellow mustard
Equipment
- baking sheet
- Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls
- Cutting Board
- knife
- Wooden Spoon
Instructions
This is an overview of the recipe. The full instructions are below in the recipe card.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line baking pan with aluminum foil, set aside.
- Combine the meatloaf ingredients together.
- Form the meat mixture into a loaf shape and bake for 30 minutes.
Meatloaf Glaze
- While the meatloaf is baking, in a medium mixing bowl, combine ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard. Set aside.
- After 30 minutes in the oven, remove the meatloaf from the oven and spread the ketchup glaze all over the top of the meatloaf
- Complete cooking the meatloaf in the hot oven for 40 minutes.
Storage
The Cracker Barrel Meatloaf can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight covered container for up to 3 days. It can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
Freezer Instructions: The meatloaf can be baked and then placed in freezer-safe storage bags or containers.
The meatloaf can be sliced and then placed in freezer storage bags for portion size, defrost, and reheat when ready to eat.
Defrost in the refrigerator overnight. The meat can also be defrosted in the microwave following the manufacturer's instructions for defrosting.
Expert Tips
For best results, crush the crackers finely, then add them to the meatloaf mixture.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Cracker Barrel recipe for meatloaf is made with ground beef, onions, bell peppers, eggs, Ritz crackers, cheddar cheese, milk, salt, and pepper.
The milk helps to keep the meatloaf moist while it cooks. It also helps to bind the ingredients together.
I always recommend baking this meatloaf recipe with ritz crackers uncovered. This helps the top of the meatloaf form a crust which gives the meatloaf a delicious taste.
Use an internal meat thermometer. The meat should be 165°F when cooked through.
Follow the instructions for the best proportion of meat to binding ingredients. If you do not use enough eggs and breadcrumb to the meat mixture, there is a risk of your meatloaf not staying together. Following our directions and ingredients, you should have a lot of success with your Cracker Barrel meatloaf.
Variations
- Protein: Swap the ground beef for ground turkey or ground chicken
- Vegetables: Add a ½ cup chopped mushrooms for more veggies and to add a little extra moisture.
- Cheese: Use different types of cheese, mozzarella cheese, Gouda cheese, or Colby Jack are great choices.
- Add a tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce for a richer flavor to this dish.
- Top with your favorite BBQ sauce instead of the meatloaf glaze for a smoky flavor.
- If you are cooking for a smaller number of people, divide the meat mixture into two loaf pans and freeze one for later.
Similar recipes
- Big Mac Mini Meatloaves
- Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings
- Chicken Cornbread Casserole
- Chicken, Broccoli Rice Casserole
- Fried Apples
- Funeral Potatoes
- If you love copycat recipes, take a look at our growing Copycat Recipe selection.
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If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card, you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.
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Cracker Barrel Meatloaf Recipe
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases
Equipment Needed:
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion (peeled and diced)
- 1 small green bell pepper (seeded and diced)
- 1 ½ sleeve Ritz crackers (crushed) any butter cracker will work
- ¾ cup cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 3 large eggs
- ½ cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Meatloaf Glaze
- ¾ cup ketchup
- 2 ½ Tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons yellow mustard
Instructions
How to make the meatloaf
- Preheat oven to 350°F/177°C. Line a large baking pan with aluminum foil, set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 pounds ground beef,1 small yellow onion (peeled and diced), 1 small green bell pepper (seeded and diced), 1 ½ sleeve Ritz crackers (crushed), ¾ cup cheddar cheese (shredded), 3 large eggs, ½ cup whole milk, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Mix ingredients with clean hands or a wooden spoon until well combined.
- On the prepared baking pan, form the beef mixture into a loaf shape. Place the baking pan into the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
How to make the meatloaf glaze
- While the meatloaf is baking, in a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine ¾ cup ketchup, 2 ½ Tablespoons light brown sugar, and 1 ½ teaspoons yellow mustard Set aside.
- After 30 minutes in the oven, remove the meatloaf from the oven and spread the ketchup glaze all over the top of the meatloaf.
- Place the meatloaf back into the hot oven. Bake for another 40 minutes. The meatloaf will be cooked through and the internal temperature will be 160°F Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes.
- Slice and serve!
maria
Awesome recipe,
look so delicious Thank you .
Donna Davis
I can’t wait to try this recipe. I’ve had
Cracker Barrel’s Meatloaf & It’s Good!