Cracker Barrel Meatloaf

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This comforting, homestyle Cracker Barrel Meatloaf is a spot-on copycat of the restaurant favorite. Made with juicy ground beef, cheddar cheese, crushed Ritz crackers, and sautéed onions and bell peppers, this meatloaf is tender and packed with flavor. It’s finished with a sweet-and-tangy glaze of ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard that caramelizes beautifully in the oven. Whether you’re serving a Sunday dinner or craving a nostalgic bite of Southern goodness, this meatloaf is sure to hit the spot.

Ingredients (Serves 6–8)

For the Meatloaf:

2 lb 80% lean ground beef
1 tablespoon olive oil
½ cup yellow onion, finely diced
½ cup green bell pepper, finely diced
1 cup crushed Ritz crackers (about 45 crackers)
2 large eggs, whisked
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
½ cup whole milk
1 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper

For the Glaze:

½ to ⅔ cup ketchup
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon yellow mustard

Directions

Preheat Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease a loaf pan or line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Sauté the Vegetables:
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced onions and bell peppers. Cook for 5–7 minutes until softened. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
Make the Meatloaf Mixture:
In a large mixing bowl, combine crushed Ritz crackers, whisked eggs, cheddar cheese, milk, salt, and pepper. Stir in the sautéed vegetables. Add ground beef and gently mix until just combined—do not overmix.
Shape and Bake:
Form the mixture into a loaf shape and place it in the prepared pan. Bake for 30 minutes.
Prepare the Glaze:
In a small bowl, mix together ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard.
Glaze and Finish Baking:
After 30 minutes, remove meatloaf from the oven. Spread glaze evenly on top. Return to the oven and bake an additional 30–40 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
Rest and Serve:
Let the meatloaf rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing for best texture and flavor.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per Slice)

Calories: 388–414 kcal
Carbohydrates: 19–26 g
Protein: 30–38 g
Total Fat: 17–25 g
Saturated Fat: 7–12 g
Fiber: 1 g
Sugar: 12–14 g
Sodium: 600–1,100 mg

What Makes Cracker Barrel Meatloaf Unique

While there are countless meatloaf recipes out there, Cracker Barrel’s version has a few signature traits that set it apart:

Cheddar Cheese: Unlike many meatloaf recipes that rely solely on breadcrumbs or milk for moisture, Cracker Barrel incorporates shredded sharp cheddar. The cheese not only adds flavor but also gives the loaf a richer, more tender texture.
Ritz Crackers: Swapping traditional breadcrumbs for crushed buttery crackers gives this recipe a distinct savory taste and a smoother consistency. Ritz crackers break down well when mixed with milk and eggs, acting as an excellent binder while adding a slight sweetness.
Glaze with a Twist: The classic ketchup topping is elevated with brown sugar and mustard, creating a sweet and tangy layer that caramelizes beautifully as it bakes. This contrast enhances the savory richness of the meatloaf itself.
Sautéed Vegetables: Instead of tossing raw onions and bell peppers directly into the meat mixture, this recipe calls for sautéing them first. This small step reduces bitterness and enhances the dish’s natural sweetness, creating a balanced flavor profile throughout.

These tweaks, though subtle, combine to create a meatloaf that’s comforting yet elevated, simple yet memorable.

Tips for Perfecting Cracker Barrel Meatloaf at Home

Replicating a restaurant-style dish at home comes down to mastering technique as much as ingredients. Here are some tips to ensure your Cracker Barrel meatloaf comes out perfectly every time:

1. Don’t Overmix

The key to tender meatloaf is gentle mixing. Overworking the meat can lead to a dense, tough texture. Mix the ingredients just until combined, ideally using your hands for better control.

2. Let the Veggies Cool

After sautéing the onions and bell peppers, let them cool before adding them to the meat mixture. Adding hot vegetables can start to cook the meat prematurely and make the mixture greasy.

3. Use a Loaf Pan or Shape by Hand

While a loaf pan helps maintain a uniform shape, some prefer shaping the loaf by hand and baking it on a parchment-lined baking sheet. This method allows for more glaze coverage and slightly crispier edges.

4. Monitor the Internal Temperature

The USDA recommends cooking ground beef to an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C). Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness and avoid overbaking, which can dry the loaf out.

5. Let it Rest

After baking, allow the meatloaf to rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing. This gives the juices time to redistribute, ensuring each slice is moist and flavorful.

Serving Suggestions: The Perfect Comfort Meal

Cracker Barrel meatloaf shines when paired with classic Southern sides. Here are some serving ideas to complete the comfort food experience:

Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes are a natural pairing, soaking up the savory juices and glaze from the meatloaf.
Green Beans or Collard Greens: These veggies bring balance to the richness of the meat and cheese, adding freshness and a slight bitterness.
Macaroni and Cheese: For a decadent Southern-style dinner, serve the meatloaf alongside baked mac and cheese.
Cornbread or Biscuits: A slice of warm cornbread or a fluffy biscuit adds that final touch of Southern charm.
Coleslaw or Cucumber Salad: A crunchy, tangy side helps cut through the richness of the meatloaf and offers a refreshing contrast.

This dish is incredibly versatile—serve it with whatever makes you feel cozy and satisfied.

Storing and Reheating Tips

Meatloaf stores and reheats beautifully, making it ideal for leftovers:

Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freezer: You can freeze individual slices or the whole loaf wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and foil for up to 3 months.
Reheating: Warm in a 300°F (150°C) oven until heated through, or microwave individual slices for 1–2 minutes. Add a splash of broth or cover with foil to maintain moisture.

You can even repurpose leftovers into sandwiches, meatloaf sliders, or crumble it into pasta sauces.

Nutritional Considerations

While this recipe is undeniably indulgent, it can still be part of a balanced diet when served mindfully. A typical slice provides around 388–414 calories, depending on the exact ingredients used. It’s high in protein, making it satisfying and filling, though also moderately high in saturated fat and sodium.

For a lighter version, consider using lean ground turkey, low-fat cheese, and whole-grain crackers. You can also add finely grated carrots or zucchini to the mixture to boost fiber and nutrients without sacrificing flavor.

Why This Meatloaf Endures

At its core, meatloaf is a dish built around love and frugality—stretching ingredients to feed a crowd, offering warmth on a cold night, and sparking memories of family dinners. Cracker Barrel’s version captures that emotional essence with just the right amount of flair.

Its popularity isn’t just nostalgia-driven. It’s a well-balanced recipe that blends savory, sweet, and cheesy flavors into a loaf that’s tender yet sturdy, rich yet approachable. It’s the kind of dish you look forward to—one that never fails to satisfy and always tastes like home.

Conclusion

Cracker Barrel Meatloaf is more than just a dish—it’s a celebration of classic American home cooking. Its success lies in its simplicity, enhanced with thoughtful tweaks like sautéed veggies, cheddar cheese, and a flavorful glaze. Whether served with mashed potatoes and green beans or reinvented into meatloaf sandwiches the next day, this recipe holds timeless appeal.

By mastering this copycat recipe, you bring a bit of the Cracker Barrel experience into your own kitchen—no road trip or rocking chair required. So next time you’re looking for a meal that comforts, nourishes, and satisfies, this meatloaf should be at the top of your list.