This is the ultimate copycat of the Southern comfort, Cracker Barrel Meatloaf.
Going to Cracker Barrel isn’t just about getting a good meal. Of course, the delicious main dishes and sweet breakfast staples are all legendary, but this chain’s success has a lot to do with the ambiance and experience, too. From sitting on those comfy rocking chairs to browsing the Cracker Barrel store, visiting this restaurant is always an adventure.
While you can’t recreate the entire Cracker Barrel journey at home, there are ways to mimic this chain’s magic in your own kitchen. And no, I’m not talking about buying Cracker Barrel souvenirs and adding them to your décor (although that would help set the mood!) You can easily recreate the flavors from this chain’s extensive menu with ingredients from your local grocery store.
For instance, let’s say you’re craving a filling slice of Cracker Barrel’s mouthwatering meatloaf. If so, here’s some good news: It’s not all that difficult to make a similar meatloaf in your oven—complete with that mouth-watering sauce!
So, the next time you want a Cracker Barrel meal without driving to your nearest restaurant, pull out this copycat meatloaf recipe for some serious savory flavors.
Is Cracker Barrel Meatloaf Healthy?
Cracker Barrel’s food may be yummy, but it isn’t ideal for a health-conscious diet, so you may want to play around with the ingredients to suit your health goals.
The great part about making Cracker Barrel meatloaf at home is you can customize your recipe to your dietary needs. For example, consider using low-fat ground beef like 90/10, or swap out beef entirely for ground turkey or chicken if you want something more lean. People on lactose-free diets can use dairy alternatives like almond or coconut milk and lactose-free cheese, while gluten-free dieters can swap out the Ritz crackers for gluten-free oats or chopped nuts. Also, try sneaking in extra veggies like celery or carrots to give your meatloaf additional nutritional benefits.
How Do You Prevent a Dry Meatloaf?
I know I said it’s better to go with leaner meat for a healthier meatloaf, but there’s a reason why so many meatloaf recipes have a higher fat content. Like it or not, you’ll naturally produce a more moist meatloaf if you stick with the 80/20 ground beef ratio. If you’re using leaner ground meat, however, you can sneak in extra moisture by soaking some breadcrumbs in milk or broth for a few minutes before incorporating them into your meaty mixture.
It’s also crucial to avoid overmixing your meatloaf to prevent creating a tough texture. Mix your ingredients gently until just combined to reduce the risk of a dry disaster. Also, you must be careful to avoid overcooking your meatloaf in the oven. The safe internal temperature for ground beef is 160°F, so use a meat thermometer as a gauge to prevent going over this temperature.
How to make ahead and store
One of the marvelous features of meatloaf is that you can prepare your meat mixture beforehand, cover it in plastic wrap in your loaf pan, and either freeze it for up to 6 months or refrigerate it for a few hours or overnight.
You could also store any leftover cooked meatloaf you have for future servings. After your meatloaf cools, wrap it in plastic wrap and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days, or freeze it for up to 3 months.
Serving Suggestions
Since we’re trying to recreate a Cracker Barrel experience, let’s go all out with the Southern fixings! I’m talking about sides of Mashed Potatoes or Bacon Mac and Cheese, alongside other Southern staples like collard greens, buttered Corn on the Cob, and Green Beans. For a lighter side, I love to serve meatloaf with this Kale and Cranberry Salad or a homemade Apple Coleslaw.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef 80/20
- 3 large eggs lightly beaten
- 1 cup Ritz crackers crushed
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- 3/4 cup yellow onion finely diced
- 1/2 cup green bell pepper finely diced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 3/4 cup ketchup
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C).
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, eggs, crushed Ritz crackers, milk, cheddar cheese, onion, green bell pepper, salt, and black pepper. Mix until just combined.
- Form the mixture into a loaf shape and place it into a loaf pan.
- Bake for 30 minutes.
- While the meatloaf is baking, mix together the ketchup, brown sugar, and yellow mustard in a small bowl to make the glaze.
- Remove the meatloaf from the oven and spread the glaze over it.
- Return the meatloaf to the oven and bake for an additional 30 to 40 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
- Let the meatloaf rest for 10 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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