Description
This Cracker Barrel meatloaf recipe copycat is a delicious and comforting dish that’s perfect for a cozy family dinner. With a flavorful meatloaf base topped with a sweet and tangy glaze, it’s sure to be a hit at the dinner table.
Ingredients
Meatloaf
- 1 1/2 pounds 80/20 ground beef, 24 ounces
- 3 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup crushed Ritz crackers, about 1 1/2 sleeves
- 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
- 1/2 green bell pepper, finely diced (you can use red too)
- 3 cups fresh shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon ground oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground thyme
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
Topping
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Add ground beef to a large bowl and start breaking it into large crumbs.
- Mix ingredients: Add the remaining meatloaf ingredients to the ground beef, mix well, and shape into a loaf in a baking dish.
- Bake: Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes.
- Prepare topping: Combine topping ingredients in a bowl.
- Glaze and bake: Spread topping on the meatloaf and bake for another 20-30 minutes until cooked through.
- Rest and serve: Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
Notes
- The best meatloaf recipes contain lots of moisture from using the best ratio of meat to fat. 80/20 is the best choice. Anything leaner and your meatloaf will be dry.
- Use fresh shredded cheese to avoid moisture absorption in the meatloaf.
- Feel free to use red bell pepper or skip it if you prefer.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/8 of the meatloaf)
- Calories: Approx. 420
- Sugar: Approx. 18g
- Sodium: Approx. 640mg
- Fat: Approx. 22g
- Saturated Fat: Approx. 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: Approx. 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: Approx. 26g
- Fiber: Approx. 1g
- Protein: Approx. 28g
- Cholesterol: Approx. 130mg
