Cracker Barrel Meatloaf
Equipment
- Baking pan
Ingredients
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 1 small finely diced onion
- 1/2 cup finely diced bell pepper (optional)
- 1 1/2 sleeves crushed Ritz crackers
- 4 once shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 3 eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
For the Topping
- 1/2 to 3/4 cup ketchup
- 2 tsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp mustard
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a small bowl, combine the ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard. Place to the side. This will be used later as the topping.
- In a large bowl, combine the eggs, crushed Ritz crackers, cheese, milk, onion, bell pepper, salt and black pepper. Mix well.
- Add in the ground beef. Mix well just to combine. Do not over mix.
- Form into a loaf and place inside a baking pan or baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper.
- Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and spread the topping over the meatloaf.
- Bake for an additional 30 to 40 minutes or until the center is 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Let it cool for 15 minutes before serving.
- Enjoy!
Notes
Why is my meatloaf dry?
People often complain that their meatloaf is too dry. This is often caused by using leaner meat. 80/20 is the best ratio for a moist, juicy meatloaf that cooks to perfection. The milk in this recipe also gives the meatloaf that extra bit of moisture that makes this one of my favorite go-to recipes. Do not over mix the meat. I’ve been guilty of this many times. But I’ve since learned from the error of my ways. Mixing your ingredients too much will result in a tough, dry meatloaf. One of the secrets to a juicy meatloaf is not to over mix your ingredients. If you’re a perfectionist like me, this one requires a bit of self-control. But if it makes a better meatloaf, so I try and combat my OCD tendencies. It’s also important not to compress the meat too much when you’re forming the loaf. When shaping your loaf, looser is better.
People often complain that their meatloaf is too dry. This is often caused by using leaner meat. 80/20 is the best ratio for a moist, juicy meatloaf that cooks to perfection. The milk in this recipe also gives the meatloaf that extra bit of moisture that makes this one of my favorite go-to recipes. Do not over mix the meat. I’ve been guilty of this many times. But I’ve since learned from the error of my ways. Mixing your ingredients too much will result in a tough, dry meatloaf. One of the secrets to a juicy meatloaf is not to over mix your ingredients. If you’re a perfectionist like me, this one requires a bit of self-control. But if it makes a better meatloaf, so I try and combat my OCD tendencies. It’s also important not to compress the meat too much when you’re forming the loaf. When shaping your loaf, looser is better.
Don’t cook your meatloaf too high.
I’ve seen recipes that call for temperatures as high as 425 degrees F.
That tends to dry out the meat. Instead you want to shoot for 325 F to 350 F for a moist meatloaf.
Veggies are key.
The onion and green pepper make a huge difference when it comes to meatloaf. They add flavor, texture, and moisture. You can even add in some finely chopped carrots and celery as well.
It’s these little tweaks and additions that make all the difference between a bland, boring meatloaf and one that you’ll want to make again and again.
Give the meatloaf space in the pan.
For a long time, I made the mistake of filling up a 5×9 inch loaf pan from edge to edge. This causes the meatloaf to steam and results in what we call a “meat brick”.
It’s not the end of the world, but I’ve learned that you need to allow the meatloaf to breath while cooking. This allows the edges to caramelize and form a really nice crust.
Allow it to breath by using a baking sheet or large baking pan.