Oooh, solid choice 😌 Cracker Barrel meatloaf is pure comfort food. This is a copycat-style recipe that gets really close to the real deal—tender, slightly sweet, and old-school cozy.
Cracker Barrel–Style Meatloaf
Ingredients
Meatloaf
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 is best)
- ½ cup finely chopped onion
- ½ cup green bell pepper, finely chopped
- 2 eggs
- ¾ cup crushed Ritz crackers (or saltines)
- ½ cup milk
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
Glaze
- ½ cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp yellow mustard
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a loaf pan or line with foil.
- In a large bowl, mix eggs, milk, salt, and pepper.
- Add crushed crackers, onion, and bell pepper. Stir gently.
- Add ground beef and mix just until combined (don’t overwork it—this keeps it tender).
- Press mixture into the loaf pan.
- In a small bowl, mix ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard. Spread evenly over the top.
- Bake uncovered for 50–60 minutes, until cooked through and glazed.
- Let it rest 10 minutes before slicing (important!).
Cracker Barrel vibes tips
- Use Ritz crackers if you can—huge flavor difference
- Don’t add garlic or fancy spices; it’s meant to be simple
- Serve with mashed potatoes, green beans, or mac & cheese for the full experience
If you want, I can tweak it to be extra moist, mini meatloaves, or a slow-cooker version 🍽️
