Cracker Barrel Meatloaf Recipe

This is the ultimate copycat of the Southern comfort, Cracker Barrel Meatloaf.

Table of Contents

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.

INGREDIENTS

2 pounds ground beef (I recommend 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

Prep

Preheat oven, mix ingredients, and form loaf.

Bake

Bake meatloaf, add topping, and bake again.

Serve

Rest, slice, and serve.

Devour!

FAQs & Tips

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.

What can I use as a substitute for Ritz crackers?

If you don’t like the flavor of Ritz crackers and want to use something else, you could opt for more standard items like saltine crackers or breadcrumbs. It’s also easy to use oats, crushed cornflakes, or panko breadcrumbs to achieve a similar texture.

Can I use a different type of ground meat instead of beef?

While classic Cracker Barrel meatloaf uses ground beef, nobody’s going to stop you from making it your own and using ingredients like ground chicken, pork, or turkey. Heck, some vegans even use pulses like chickpeas or lentils to create a tasty meatless meatloaf!

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.