This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.
Make the Famous Cracker Barrel Meatloaf at home with simple ingredients! Juicy ground beef mixed with buttery Ritz Crackers and shredded cheese makes this copycat recipe a family favorite! You will be amazed at how easy it to make and it tastes amazing too.
My family loves going to Cracker Barrel and we are all fans of their meatloaf. There is just something about the way they make it because not all meatloaf is made the same. Cracker Barrel Meatloaf is a classic comfort food recipe.
We love that this meatloaf turns out flavorful and juicy. Meatloaf isn’t a meal that I always prepare, but after making this recipe, my family has requested it more and more every week. You may also like our Crock Pot Meatloaf Recipe, Air Fryer Meatloaf Recipe, Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf Recipe, and Lipton Onion Soup Meatloaf Recipe.
What's in this post: Cracker Barrel Meatloaf
Why You’ll Love Copycat Cracker Barrel Meatloaf
Nothing says comfort food quite like the meatloaf at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store. The secret is an ultra-moist mix of ground beef, crushed Ritz crackers, sharp cheddar, and a sweet-tangy glaze that caramelizes as it bakes.
The ingredients are simple and it is packed with flavor. Meatloaf is a classic Sunday night meal and this is my go-to recipe.
Ingredients
- Ground Beef – We recommend using Lean Ground Beef. You can also use ground pork or ground turkey.
- White Onion and Green Bell Pepper – Finely diced
- Ritz Crackers – Crushed – We like to place in a ziploc bag and crush with a rolling pin
- Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese – Feel free to use any type of cheese
- Eggs – Helps with binding ingredients
- Milk – We used whole milk
- Salt and Pepper – Simple Spices
- Ketchup – Try Easy Homemade Ketchup Recipe
- Brown Sugar – If you are out, see The Best Brown Sugar Substitutes
Scroll to the recipe card for the full recipe.
How to Make Cracker Barrel Meatloaf
Step 1 – Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper.
Step 2 – In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs. Then stir in the crushed Ritz crackers, cheese, milk, onion, green bell pepper, salt and pepper.
Step 3 – Then add in the ground beef and mix well. You will need to mix by hand based on the thickness of the mixture.
Step 4 – Place the meat mixture on the prepared pan and form it into a loaf with your hands. Bake for 30 minutes.
Step 5 – While the meatloaf is baking, stir together the topping ingredients in a small bowl.
Step 6 – After the initial 30 minute cook time, spread the meatloaf glaze over the meatloaf. Then bake for an additional 30-40 minutes or until the center of the loaf has an internal temperature of 160 degrees F.
Step 7 – Remove from the oven and let the loaf set for 10-15 minutes. Then slice, serve and enjoy
Cracker Barrel Meatloaf
Equipment
Ingredients
For the Meatloaf:
- 2 pounds Lean Ground Beef
- 3 large eggs
- ½ White Onion finely diced
- 1 Green Bell Pepper finely diced
- 1 ½ Sleeves Ritz Crackers crushed (approximately 45 crackers)
- ½ cup Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
- ½ cup Milk
- 1 tsp Salt
- ½ tsp Pepper
For the Topping:
- ½ cup Ketchup
- 2 Tbsp Brown Sugar
- 1 tsp Yellow Mustard
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs. Then stir in the crushed Ritz crackers, cheese, milk, onion, green bell pepper, salt and pepper.
- Then add in the ground beef and mix well. You will need to mix by hand based on the thickness of the mixture.
- Place the meat mixture on the prepared pan and form it into a loaf with your hands.
- Bake for 30 minutes.
- While the meatloaf is baking, stir together the topping ingredients in a small bowl.
- After the initial 30 minute cook time, spread the topping over the meatloaf. Then bake for an additional 30-40 minutes or until the center of the loaf has an internal temperature of 160 degrees F.
- Remove from the oven and let the loaf set for 10-15 minutes.
- Then slice, serve and enjoy!
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
Nutrition Facts
Recipe Tips
- Don’t over mix the meat – Overmixing the meat can make it tough.
- Bake at 350 degrees – If you put the temperature any higher than 350 it could cause the meat to dry out.
- Let meat rest – Before slicing meat, let it rest for about 15 minutes.
- Use a meat thermometer – This ensure that you meat is cooked to the correct temperature so you don’t have to cut into the meatloaf to early.
- Add in Worcestershire Sauce – We love adding in a few drops of Worcestershire sauce if we have it.
- Baking Pan – We used a sheet pan covered in aluminum foil to make this recipe. But you can also bake in a loaf pan or a casserole dish.
What to Serve with Meatloaf?
- Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes – Making mashed potatoes in the crock pot makes is so much easier then on the stovetop.
- Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots Recipe – These carrots are a must when making this meatloaf.
- Air Fryer Broccoli – Making broccoli in the air fryer is now my favorite way to eat broccoli.
- Cracker Barrel Mac and Cheese
- Other Side Dish Ideas – Check out What to Serve with Meatloaf for even more ideas.
Reheating Cracker Barrel Meatloaf
- Reheating after being baked – If you are reheating your meatloaf after it is baked and is frozen then unwrap the meatloaf and place in new foil. Then I put in the fridge overnight. Once thawed, place in the oven wrapped in aluminum foil for about 25 minutes at 350 degrees.
- Reheating leftovers – If you have meatloaf slices leftovers, simply reheat in the microwave.
- Cooking frozen uncooked meatloaf – Thaw out meatloaf overnight in the refrigerator. Once thaw bake according to recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cracker Barrel’s meatloaf is made of lean ground beef, green pepper, buttery Ritz cracker crumbs, sharp cheddar cheese, eggs, milk and a glaze made from ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard.
Yes Cracker Barrel’s meatloaf container cheddar cheese.
Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Yes, freezing meatloaf cooked and uncooked is easy. This is a great recipe to double, so we like to place in a freezer safe container to easily reheat another day. If stored correctly, the meatloaf will stay fresh for up to 3 months. See more tips at Can You Freeze Meatloaf .
More Easy Copycat Recipes
Quick and Easy Chicken
Copycat Chick Fil A Nuggets Recipe
Easy Side Dishes
Cracker Barrel Carrots
Quick and Easy Soup
Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup
If you make this Cracker Barrel Meatloaf Recipe, please leave us a comment. We love to hear from you!
Other copycat recipes for Cracker Barrel say to saute the onion and green pepper in olive oil until softened. I didn’t see that in your version. Do you leave the diced veggies raw when mixing with the meat?
Carol – Yes, I do and I like it that way but if you prefer the veggies to be softer you can sauté them before mixing them into the meat.
Can you freeze leftover meatloaf
Yes, the leftovers freeze great. I recommend wrapping it in plastic wrap and then placing in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost at room temperature and reheat as normal. I hope you enjoy this recipe!
Best meatloaf EVER!!
Doesn’t tell you how much of anything , how many eggs how much milk etc
All the ingredient information is in the recipe card.
I love it with half the crackers. No need for all those carbs.