Ah! You’re asking about Cracker Barrel Meatloaf—the classic, homestyle dish that’s rich, savory, and perfect for comfort food. Let’s break it down clearly.
Cracker Barrel Meatloaf
What It Is
- A savory meatloaf made with ground beef, seasonings, and breadcrumbs.
- Often topped with a tangy tomato-based glaze for extra flavor.
- Served at Cracker Barrel with mashed potatoes, green beans, or other classic sides.
Ingredients (Approximate Homemade Version)
Meatloaf:
- 1 ½ lbs ground beef (can mix with pork or veal)
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 egg
- ½ cup milk
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
Glaze/Topping:
- ½ cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp mustard (optional for tang)
How to Make Cracker Barrel Meatloaf
- Preheat oven
- 350°F (175°C).
- Prepare meat mixture
- In a bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, onion, egg, milk, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Mix gently; don’t overwork to keep meatloaf tender.
- Shape into loaf
- Form mixture into a loaf shape and place in a greased baking dish or loaf pan.
- Prepare glaze
- Mix ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard (if using).
- Spread evenly over the top of the loaf.
- Bake
- Bake 50–60 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
- Rest and serve
- Let the meatloaf rest 5–10 minutes before slicing.
- Serve with mashed potatoes, green beans, or your favorite sides.
Tips
- For extra flavor, sauté the onions before adding them to the meat mixture.
- You can also add Worcestershire sauce, bell peppers, or herbs for more depth.
- Use a light hand mixing the meat; over-mixing makes it dense.
If you want, I can make a step-by-step visual diagram showing Cracker Barrel-style meatloaf layers and baking steps, which is great for easy reference.
Do you want me to make that visual?
