I'm so excited to share this Copycat Cracker Barrel Meatloaf with you!
Over the years, I've made dozens of different meatloaf recipes. But this is one my all-time favorites.
It's incredibly moist, packed with flavor, and topped with that irresistible sweet and tangy glaze. Every bite is packed with classic, down-home flavor, just like the one from Cracker Barrel.
WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?
With this Cracker Barrel Meatloaf recipe, you'll get the same tender, juicy texture and sweet, savory glaze without ever leaving home. I've tested and tweaked this recipe to make sure you get a juicy, flavorful meatloaf every single time.
Serve it with creamy mashed potatoes, and you'll feel like you're right back at Cracker Barrel and that crackling fire! Plus, the leftovers are just as good the next day.
But fair warning – with this recipe, it might not last long.
Ingredients for Cracker Barrel Meatloaf
Ground Beef: The heart of this meatloaf! I always go for 80/20 ground beef. It's juicy, flavorful, and holds together beautifully.
Onion: A must for adding sweet, savory depth. I like to dice it finely so it blends right into the meat.
Bell Pepper: I use green bell peppers, but red or yellow work too for a slightly sweeter twist.
Ritz Crackers: Cracker Barrel's secret ingredient! They add a buttery, slightly salty flavor that makes this meatloaf stand out. Crush them up nice and fine so they mix in smoothly.
Eggs: Two eggs give the perfect balance of moisture and structure. Use large eggs, best at room temperature.
Cheese: Sharp cheddar melts right into the meat, making it extra rich and flavorful.
Whole Milk: Keeps everything moist and tender. I stick with whole milk for the best texture, but half-and-half works if you want a slightly richer flavor.
Glaze: The finishing touch! Ketchup, brown sugar, and yellow mustard are all you need for this sweet and tangy glaze. I like to brush on half at the start and the rest toward the end for the best flavor.
Loaf Pan or Baking Sheet?
Ah, the great meatloaf debate! Do you go with a loaf pan for that classic shape, or a baking sheet for crispy, caramelized edges? I've tried both and it all comes down to personal preference.
Loaf Pan: This is the go-to method if you're looking for a moist, tender meatloaf with that classic shape. The only downside is that it can trap grease. Luckily, I have a few tricks up my sleeve!
Line the bottom with a few slices of stale bread to soak up the extra grease. Or, use this Rachael Ray loaf pan that includes a removable insert with holes to drain the grease. It's like having the best of both worlds!
Baking Sheet: This is my personal favorite because it gives you those crispy, caramelized edges all around. I recommend using a rimmed baking sheet so it catches any grease.
Either way, you're in for a juicy, delicious meatloaf!
Tips for the Best Meatloaf
1. Use 80% lean ground beef. This is key for a moist, juicy meatloaf. Leaner meats can result in a dry loaf.
2. Do not over mix the meat. Mixing your ingredients too much will result in a tough, dry meatloaf. For the juiciest meatloaf, gently combine the ingredients and do not overmix. I've learned this one the hard way!
3. Use a Baking Sheet: Shape your loaf by hand on a baking sheet for those deliciously crispy, caramelized edges all around.
4. Use a Meat Thermometer: Check internal temp with an instant-read thermometer to avoid overcooking the meatloaf. The internal temperature should reach 160°F when it's done.
What to Serve With Cracker Barrel Meatloaf
A few side dishes can turn this simple meal into a family favorite.
- Mashed Potatoes – This buttery smooth starch pairs perfectly with the savory deliciousness of meatloaf. It’s a classic combo.
- Mac & Cheese – This is my personal favorite. Two classic comfort foods on a single plate. And the savory glaze pairs perfectly with the cheese.
- Roasted Carrots – One of my favorite vegetables to pair with this cozy comfort food.
- Fried Okra – This is one of my favorite sides at Cracker Barrel. I put it with almost everything. You can never go wrong with fried okra.
- Biscuits – A side of bread makes this meal complete!
If you’re looking to add a few veggies, you can also use green beans, asparagus, broccoli, or a nice side salad.
How to Store and Freeze
To Store: Place leftover meatloaf in an airtight container or wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 3-5 days.
To Reheat: Warm individual slices in the microwave in 30-second increments until heated through. For a larger portion, cover the meatloaf with foil and bake in the oven at 350°F for 20-30 minutes. Reheat individual slices in the oven for about 10-15 minutes.
To Freeze: Wrap the loaf tightly in a double layer of aluminum foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating for best results. I like to add some extra sauce on top right before putting it in the oven.
More Copycat Cracker Barrel Recipes
- Cracker Barrel Fried Chicken
- Cracker Barrel Coca Cola Cake
- Cracker Barrel Fried Okra
- Cracker Barrel Cornbread
- Cracker Barrel Biscuits
Cracker Barrel Meatloaf Recipe
This Cracker Barrel Meatloaf is even better than the original. Made with ground beef, onions, bell pepper, cheddar cheese, Ritz crackers and a sweet, savory glaze on top!
8
servings15
minutes1
hour10
minutes393
kcalIngredients
2 pounds lean ground beef
1 small finely diced onion
1/2 cup finely diced bell pepper (optional)
48 Ritz crackers, crushed (about 1 1/2 sleeves)
4 ounces shredded sharp cheddar or Colby cheese
3 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- For the Meatloaf Glaze:
1/2-3/4 cup ketchup
2 tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon 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.
- Transfer the meatloaf mixture to a greased and line loaf pan and bake 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 155 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Let it cool for 15 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
- There are 32 crackers in a sleeve from the “Ritz Original Crackers (13.7 OZ)” box. So you'll need about 1.5 sleeves to make 48 crackers total.
- Use 80% lean ground beef. This is key for a moist, juicy meatloaf.
- If you're using a loaf pan, place a few slices of plain white bread at the bottom of the pan to absorb excess grease. Or you can use my favorite Rachael Ray loaf pan, which includes a removable insert with holes to drain the grease.
- Do Not Overmix. Mix ingredients just until combined to keep the meatloaf tender. Overmixing creates a dense meatloaf.
Nutrition
- Calories: 393kcal
- Fat: 15.6g
- Saturated Fat: 5.2g
- Cholesterol: 167mg
- Sodium: 522mg
- Potassium: 587mg
- Carbohydrates: 20.7g
- Fiber: 0.4g
- Sugar: 8.5g
- Protein: 42.2g
- Calcium: 120mg
- Iron: 4mg
104 Comments
Oh heavens, this recipe is divine! I made it tonight and we all absolutely loved it. Tender and moist and the glaze is delicious! Even my Mother, who up until tonight disliked all meatloaf other than her own, said it was fantastic and blew hers away. My Mom is FINICKY so that is really saying something! Thank you for the fantastic recipe. This will be my new go to!
Hi Quinie, it made my day to hear this! I’m so happy it turned out perfect for you. It’s part of my regular meal routine as well and never disappoints!
This is the best meatloaf on earth. I would not change one single thing, but it needs to be followed carefully. I’ve made it more times than I can count.
Best meat loaf recipe on the planet! My husband loves!
This is my go to meatloaf! It’s just the absolute best, and there’s wiggle room to add new ingredients. tonight I added a fresh from the garden green chile and a little red chile sauce!
I bet that was delicious, Jennifer!
I love this meatloaf so so much! Five Stars! I make it all the time, it’s the only meatloaf I use. I also add 8 oz. of cooked minced mushrooms, which means I only use 1 egg because minced mushroom helps to bind the meat and adds moisture (lots of it too, so we definitely cook out the water!). I also like to add 1 or 2 ribs of celery, along with 1 whole carrot. Plus some extra Ritz crackers, because of all the moisture. Today I tried the bread underneath the meatloaf method that was suggested by someone in the comments. Ugh, it went terribly for me. The bread stuck to the meatloaf, and it didn’t catch most of the grease. Granted, the latter might have been because I doubled the recipe and made 3 large meatloaves to be frozen for later. I used 7 slices of homemade sourdough sandwich bread (we don’t buy any, so that was all I had to work with). So lots of different factors on the bread, but I definitely won’t try that method a 2nd time. Usually, I use a small holed, but scattered everywhere air fryer sheet pan. But it was small in size and it wasn’t going to hold all three meatloaves. Thank you so much for this wonderful recipe, my whole family loves it, even the one that doesn’t like meatloaf!
I love meatloaf, especially Cracker Barrel’s. I tweaked a few things:
1. I sauté the onion and pepper before mixing loaf ingredients. Set it aside to cool then add.
2. I’m not a big fan of beef and try to tweak meats that are a lil healthier. I actually use one pound of each: ground chicken and pork. Comes out less greasy and I promise you won’t miss the beef. I made it for a house full of men, HUGE beef eaters. They couldn’t get over how good it tasted. Now they always request “the other meat” loaf.
Omg….this meatloaf was so good. I would not change anything. I served it with corn souffle and baked mac and cheese. Yummo!!!!
I made meatloaf with ground chicken. My husband said it was really good. Liked it better than any I have made. Making it again tonight
Made it last night. I FINALLY found a meatloaf recipe that is great!
Fabulous recipe! I’ve been so frustrated trying to find a really good meatloaf recipe and this is IT! I will be making this one again ad again.
Absolutely delicious! The 1-1/2 sleeve of Ritz crackers is approx 50 crackers. There are 35 in one sleeve. I cooked this in my Instant Pot in a springform pan for 35 mins with 10 minute natural release. I used Dijon mustard in the ketchup topping instead of plain mustard.
I love their meat loaf these ingredients are the same as when I make the Sheperds pie only I don’t put the milk or eggs in it hmmm think I will next time 🙂 also use cream od mushroom soup in the sheperds pie I think I will just make this receipe and put mash potatoes on top 🙂
I have never been a fan of meatloaf but my husband likes it. I had never found one that I liked-they were always so dense and dry. Since I am now “Stay-at-Home” I have had plenty of time to try new recipes. When I happened on this I was attracted by the photo which looked too good to pass up. I tried this and we all loved it. It comes out flavorful, but most importantly for me, it was so light, moist, and juicy. So I’ve added it to our family favorites and will definitely be making it again.
I made this meatloaf today and it was wonderful. I did add dried parsley, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder to the recipe. My sister is very critical about food and she said it was good!
I have always loved CB meatloaf, but I have never noticed it having cheese in it. I’m sure I would have, because I hate melted cheese, except small amounts on pizza. However, I will definitely try the recipe without cheese. And the bread on bottom..pure genius.
I’ve been cooking for over 50 years and I’d never heard of putting a slice of bread in the bottom of your meatloaf pan. It makes such good sense, I’ll be trying that. Thanks for the excellent hint.
I went ahead and made this for dinner tonight, using 1 cup of cracker crumbs (Italian) instead of crackers, and only 1 Tblsp of brown sugar for the topping. I chose red bell pepper for the color. Even my hubby said its a keeper! Thank you for bringing meatloaf back into my kitchen.
I made this last night. My husband said it was the best meatloaf that he had ever had!
I made this just as it was written. I was the best meatloaf I have ever had!!! Looking forward to making this again..Thank you for posting!!!
This was absolutely delicious!!! I will definitely be making this again!!