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Easy Copycat Cracker Barrel Meatloaf Recipe

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Recreate the classic Cracker Barrel meatloaf at home with this easy recipe. Juicy, flavorful, and topped with a tangy glaze, it’s perfect for dinner!

  • Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • pounds lean ground beef
  • 1 finely chopped small onion
  • ½ finely chopped green bell pepper
  • 1 lightly beaten egg
  • ½ cup crushed Ritz crackers (about 12)
  • ¼ cup milk
  • ¼ cup ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon yellow mustard

Instructions

  1. Preheat and prep: Start by preheating your oven to 175°C (350°F). While the oven warms up, grease your loaf pan or line it with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
  2. Mix the meatloaf ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, chopped onion, bell pepper, egg, crushed Ritz crackers, milk, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Use your hands or a wooden spoon to mix until everything is just combined. Don’t overmix, or your meatloaf might turn out dense.
  3. Shape and transfer: Transfer the meat mixture into your prepared loaf pan, pressing it down gently to form an even loaf.
  4. Make the glaze: In a small bowl, mix together the ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard. Spread this evenly over the top of the meatloaf. This glaze is magic – it gets sticky and caramelized as it bakes.
  5. Bake: Place the meatloaf in the oven and bake for 60-70 minutes. It’s done when the internal temperature hits 70°C (160°F).
  6. Rest and slice: Once out of the oven, let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes. This helps the juices redistribute, making it easier to slice. Serve it warm and enjoy!

Notes

Cooking for two? Halve the recipe and bake it in a smaller loaf pan. Feeding a crowd? Double the ingredients and use two loaf pans or shape the meat mixture into a larger loaf. Just keep in mind that a bigger loaf may need a little extra baking time – check the internal temperature to be sure.

  • Author: Soraya
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 60-70 minutes
  • Category: Dinner