This Cracker Barrel meatloaf is super flavorful, moist, and everything a meatloaf should be. It slices beautifully and is quick and easy enough to make a delicious weeknight dinner. Skip going out to the restaurant and make this at home for an easy, delicious dinner at home.
The cheddar cheese and the Ritz crackers make this meatloaf unique and are the signature ingredients of this beauty. They add such great flavor you’ll really taste the difference. This ain’t your run-of-the-mill meatloaf.
Are you a meatloaf lover like me? I hope you’ll try my Stove Top stuffing meatloaf, brown sugar meatloaf, turkey meatloaf, and Alton Brown meatloaf next. You won’t be disappointed, I promise! ♥
The Best Meat To Use
I like 80/20 ground beef in this recipe. It makes the meatloaf nice and juicy! Leaner combos can’t do that.
Do I Have To Make This Meatloaf With Ritz Crackers?
If you want your meatloaf to taste like Cracker Barrels meatloaf, then yes you do. If you want to switch things up, you can use any type of crackers you’d like.
Cracker Barrel Meatloaf Recipe Ingredients
Meatloaf:
- Eggs: Use large eggs, best at room temperature.
- Ritz Crackers: Buttery Ritz crackers are the cracker of choice in this meatloaf.
- Milk: I use whole milk for the best flavor.
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese: You can use any type of cheddar you’d like.
- Onion: I like yellow onion the best in this meatloaf.
- Bell Pepper: I use green bell pepper but any color will work.
- Salt and Pepper: Finishes off the seasoning perfectly.
- Ground Beef: I like 80/20 ground beef but feel free to use a leaner one if you’d prefer.
Topping
- Ketchup: I typically use Heinz or Hunt’s brands.
- Brown Sugar: You can use light or dark. I prefer the flavor best with dark brown sugar.
- Yellow Mustard: Generally I use regular yellow mustard but you can switch up the flavor with a stone ground mustard or Dijon.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Finishes off the flavor of the glaze and balances the sweetness.
Storing + Freezing + Make-Ahead
- How Long Can You Keep This In The Fridge? This will last in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- Can You Freeze This? Yes, place it in an airtight container for 3-4 months.
- Make-Ahead Tips:Â Bake this cracker barrel copycat meatloaf ahead, refrigerate, and reheat.
- Food Safety: If you’d like more info on food safety check out this link.
Serving Recommendations For Copycat Cracker Barrel Meatloaf
Make-ahead mashed potatoes, baked mac and cheese, Bisquick biscuits, brown sugar roasted carrots, Southern Style green beans, Southern collard greens recipe, and Arkansas green beans (huge kid favorite!) are delicious choices!
How To Make Cracker Barrel Meatloaf Recipe
- Make the meatloaf: Combine the meatloaf ingredients except the ground beef.
- Mix.
- Add the ground beef and mix.
- Make the topping: Mix all the topping ingredients.
- Assemble: Form the meatloaf and bake.
- Brush the topping and bake again.
- Slice and serve.
***See the full instructions below.
More Yummy Ground Beef Recipes
Can you ever have enough ground beef recipes in your repertoire?
- Air Fryer Meatloaf
- Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce
- Dorito Casserole
- Beef Noodle Casserole
- Mexican Casserole Recipe
- Million Dollar Spaghetti
- BeefaroniÂ
- American Goulash
- Hamburger Casserole
- Hobo Dinner
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Cracker Barrel Meatloaf Recipe
Ingredients
Meatloaf:
- 3 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 cup Ritz crackers crushed
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 3/4 cup yellow onion, finely diced
- 1/2 cup green bell pepper, finely diced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 pounds ground beef 80/20
Topping:
- 3/4 cup ketchup
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C).
Make Meatloaf:
- In a large bowl mix, combine the eggs (3), crushed Ritz crackers (1Â cup), milk (1/2Â cup), cheese (1Â cup), onion (3/4Â cup), bell pepper (1/2Â cup), salt (1Â teaspoon), and black pepper (1/4Â teaspoon). Mix until thoroughly combined.
- Add the ground beef (2Â pounds) and, using your clean hands, combine; set aside.
Make Topping:
- In a small bowl, whisk together all ingredients.
Assemble:
- Form the meatloaf mixture into a loaf shape on a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet.
- Bake at 350°F (177°C) for 30 minutes.
- Remove the meatloaf from the oven and heavily apply the topping over the meatloaf. (I use a pastry brush). Return to the oven and bake for an additional 30-40 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center reaches 160°F (70°C).
- Allow it cool for 15 minutes then slice and serving.
Fans Also Made:
Nutrition
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I made this meatloaf last night. It was pure excellence in every way. Thanks
Can this recipe be used to make mini meatloaves in muffins tins?
Yes! 🙂
Bake it for 10-15 minutes and check the internal temperature, it should reach 170 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake for more if not yet cooked.
Best meatloaf recipe I have ever made, tomorrow Meatloaf sandwiches. Thank you
Wow, thank you so much Cindy! I’m so happy you liked this meatloaf 🙂
Where is the recipe for the topping?
Topping:
â–¢3/4 cup ketchup
â–¢1/3 cup brown sugar
â–¢1 teaspoon yellow mustard
â–¢1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Absolutely wonderful
Thanks, Loretta! 🙂
Although good, a few cloves of minced or grated Garlic in this recipe would make it GREAT!!!
That’s perfect! Enjoy 🙂
I work at Cracker Barrel – it will be interesting to see how this turns out – Thank you .
I hope you’ll like this as much as we do!