Description
A juicy and flavorful Cracker Barrel-style meatloaf topped with a sweet and tangy glaze. This comforting classic is easy to make and perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lb (24 oz) 80/20 ground beef
- 3 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup crushed Ritz crackers (about 1½ sleeves)
- 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
- ½ green bell pepper, finely diced (optional: red bell pepper)
- 3 cups fresh shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tsp ground oregano
- 1 tsp ground thyme
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 2 Tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
- ½ cup whole milk
- 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- ½ tsp salt
- ⅛ tsp ground black pepper
- ½ cup ketchup
- ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 tsp yellow mustard
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 °F.
- In a large bowl, add the ground beef and break it into large crumbs with a spoon.
- Mix in the rest of the meatloaf ingredients until just combined—you can use your hands if preferred.
- Line a baking dish with foil, grease it, then shape the meat mixture into a loaf in the dish. (Alternatively, use a 9×5‑inch meatloaf pan.)
- Bake for 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, mix all the topping ingredients in a small bowl.
- Spread the topping over the partially baked loaf. Continue baking for another 20–30 minutes, until the top is golden and the internal temperature hits 160 °F.
- Remove from oven and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
Notes
- Use freshly shredded cheese for best texture and moisture.
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken, but expect a drier texture.
- Crushed crackers, breadcrumbs, or day-old bread all work as binders.
- Feel free to swap the topping with barbecue sauce or plain ketchup.
- Store leftovers in the fridge for 3–4 days and reheat gently.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 11g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 125mg
