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Cracker Style Meatloaf 100.png

Cracker Style Meatloaf

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🍖 Cracker Barrel Meatloaf Recipe Copycat brings classic Southern flavors into a comforting and delicious dish that everyone will love.
🍽️ This recipe is easy to follow and results in a tender, juicy meatloaf perfect for family dinners or gatherings.

  • Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Yield: 6-8 servings

Ingredients

– ½ tablespoon olive oil

– ½ cup yellow onion, finely diced

– ½ cup bell pepper, finely diced

– 2 pounds (about 907 grams) 80% lean ground beef (or a mix of equal parts ground beef, pork, and veal)

– 1 cup crushed crackers

– 2 eggs, whisked

– 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

– ½ cup whole milk

– 1 teaspoon salt

– ¼ teaspoon black pepper

– ½ to ¾ cup ketchup

– 2 tablespoons brown sugar

– 1 teaspoon yellow mustard

Instructions

1-Making cracker style meatloaf is straightforward if you follow these steps carefully. First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and gather all your ingredients to make the process smooth. This recipe takes about 15 minutes to prep, ensuring you spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying your meal.

2-In a skillet, heat the olive oil and sauté the diced onions and bell peppers until they soften, which takes around 5 minutes. Let them cool before mixing. In a large bowl, combine the whisked eggs, crushed crackers, sautéed veggies, shredded cheddar cheese, milk, salt, and pepper for a well-blended base.

3-Add the ground meat and mix gently to keep the texture tender overworking can make it tough. Shape the mixture into a loaf and place it in a loaf pan for even cooking. Bake for 30 minutes, then prepare the topping by mixing ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard in a bowl.

4-Baking and Finishing Touches: After the initial bake, brush the topping over the meatloaf and return it to the oven for another 30 to 40 minutes until it reaches 155°F internally. Let it rest in the pan for 15 minutes so the juices settle and the temperature rises to a safe 160°F. Serve with sides like creamy mashed potatoes for a complete meal that hits the spot.

Last Step:

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Notes

🧑‍🍳 Use a loaf pan for even cooking and to keep the shape intact.
🍴 Avoid overmixing the meat to keep the meatloaf tender and juicy.
🧽 Some prefer placing meatloaf on bread slices or a rack to catch excess grease.
🍖 Use 80% lean ground beef or a mix with pork and veal for optimal flavor and juiciness.
🔥 Bake between 325°F and 350°F for best moist results.
⏲️ Allow meatloaf to rest after baking to lock in the juices.
❄️ Meatloaf can be frozen raw or cooked; thaw in refrigerator overnight before reheating.
✔️ Ensure internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C) before serving for food safety.

  • Author: Brandi Oshea
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Resting time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Baking, sautéing
  • Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice
  • Calories: 445
  • Sugar: 9 g
  • Sodium: 628 mg
  • Fat: 31 g
  • Saturated Fat: 13 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
  • Trans Fat: 1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 15 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 25 g
  • Cholesterol: 117 mg