My Cracker Barrel meatloaf is comfort food at its best with onions, green bell peppers, Ritz crackers, and cheese! It's topped with a delicious glaze that’ll knock your socks off! This homemade restaurant entree is so tasty that your family is sure to love it more than the original!
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Homemade Restaurant Favorite
Craving the best-ever meatloaf recipe? This meatloaf fits the bill! This recipe tastes just like Cracker Barrel’s amazing recipe, without the need to go out to a restaurant! This recipe is not only absolutely delicious, but it’s easy too! It only takes 15 minutes to prep and will be on the table before you know it!
This meatloaf recipe is topped with an easy, delectably sweet glaze that contrasts well with the savory meatloaf. It combines ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, and a little Worcestershire sauce to keep it simple and delicious!
The little bits of green peppers are a tasty addition that pulls all of the delicious flavors together in this crowd-pleasing meatloaf!
My incredible copycat Cracker Barrel Meatloaf is savory, tangy, and utterly delicious!
❤️ Why You'll Love This Recipe!
So Delicious! Meatloaf is such a comforting classic, and this recipe is made even better with tasty veggies and cheese inside. It’s the most delicious way to prepare this meatloaf!
It’s Easy! One of the reasons meatloaf remains so popular is because of how easy it is to make! You simply mix the meat with seasonings, shape, and bake!
The Whole Family Will Love It! Kids and adults alike will love this flavorful meatloaf!
🥘 Ingredients
Take your meatloaf recipe to the next level with this Cracker Barrel Meatloaf recipe! It’s packed with flavorful veggies and tasty cheese to make it absolutely delicious.
Meatloaf Ingredients
- Ground Beef – I prefer a ground beef that has 85% lean, 15% fat, so it’s a bit healthier but still rich enough to keep it juicy.
- Yellow Onion – I recommend yellow onion for this dish, but you can use white if you prefer a sharper flavor. You want the onion to be finely diced or even grated so it blends into the meatloaf perfectly. (See Tips & Recipe Notes)
- Green Bell Pepper – Green bell pepper adds that rich, savory flavor and makes the meatloaf taste just like Grandma used to make! You also want this to be finely diced or grated.
- Eggs – The eggs help bind the meat together and keep the meatloaf well-formed.
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese – The cheddar is one of the special ingredients of this recipe. It adds extra flavor and a cheesy bite you’ll be sure to love! You can grate your own sharp cheddar or use pre-grated.
- Whole Milk – Milk helps to keep the meatloaf moist. If you can’t have milk, you can use an alternative but be sure it’s unsweetened.
- Ritz Crackers – Ritz crackers are the other special ingredient in this recipe! They add such a delicious, buttery flavor that regular breadcrumbs just won’t deliver! Crush them up to make sure they blend into the dish.
- Salt & Pepper – You’ll use these to season the meatloaf. I recommend freshly ground pepper.
Meatloaf Glaze Ingredients
- Ketchup – This is the base of our glaze! It’s rich, sweet, and goes perfectly with the other ingredients.
- Brown Sugar – Brown sugar turns this sauce into a delicious sticky glaze when it bakes! You can use dark or light brown sugar, whichever you prefer!
- Yellow Mustard – Mustard adds a salty tang here, which contrasts well with the ketchup and brown sugar.
- Worcestershire Sauce – Just a little of this flavorful sauce goes a long way! It helps to season our glaze and make it irresistibly delicious.
*Be sure to see the free printable recipe card below for ingredients, exact amounts & instructions with tips!*
🔪 How To Make Cracker Barrel's Meatloaf
You’re going to love this easy Cracker Barrel meatloaf recipe! Make sure you don’t overwork the meat when mixing in the ingredients, so it doesn’t get tough!
- Preheat and prep glaze. Preheat your oven to 350°F (176°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Then in a small bowl, combine ½ cup of ketchup, ½ cup of brown sugar, 1 tablespoon of yellow mustard, and 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce. Whisk until smooth and well combined, then set it aside to use later.
- Make the meatloaf. In a large mixing bowl, add 1 ½ lbs. ground beef, ½ cup of finely diced yellow onion, ¼ cup of finely diced green bell pepper, 3 eggs, 4 ounces of grated sharp cheddar cheese, ¼ cup of whole milk, 2 sleeves of crushed Ritz crackers, and 1 teaspoon each of salt and pepper, or to taste. Using clean or gloved hands, thoroughly mix the ingredients until well combined.
- Bake the meatloaf. Place the meatloaf mixture onto the prepared baking sheet and form it into a loaf shape. Bake at 350°F (176°C) for 30 minutes. Then, remove from the oven and apply the glaze generously over the top of the meatloaf.
- Finish baking the meatloaf. Return your meatloaf to the oven and continue baking for 30 minutes or until the meatloaf is at least 160°F (72°C) when the temperature is checked in the center of the loaf. Remove from the oven and allow to rest for 10 minutes. Slice into even pieces, then serve and enjoy!
What is an amazing meatloaf without rich and creamy mashed potatoes? I love serving this delicious Cracker Barrel-style meatloaf for dinner with my incredible garlic red skin mashed potatoes and a green veggie like Roasted Broccoli with Garlic or crisp roasted asparagus.
💭 Tips & Notes
If you have trouble getting a fine dice on your veggies, try grating them!
- Using the large holes on a box grater makes the onion and bell pepper fine enough to meld into the meatloaf perfectly. The big bonus here is that you can easily get grated veggies past most picky eaters!
- This is also perfect if you’re short on time, have any issues with your hands, or just aren’t super comfortable with a knife! Just be sure to watch your fingertips!
This recipe calls for a free-form meatloaf, but if you prefer you can use a loaf pan to shape!
- If you want a more defined loaf shape, you can put the meat mixture into a parchment lined bread/loaf pan. Press down on it evenly, then flip the bread pan upside down over the parchment lined baking sheet. Remove the pan (and parchment paper) and bake as usual!
To ensure your meatloaf is cooked all the way through, use a meat thermometer!
- Meatloaf should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F (72°C) to be safe to eat. Unless you’re a total meatloaf pro, it can be hard to know when it’s thoroughly done.
- Using a thermometer to check temp makes this so easy – you’ll never have to cut into under-cooked meatloaf!
🥡 Storing & Reheating
This incredible meatloaf refrigerates beautifully! Store in an airtight container or wrap well with aluminum foil and it’ll last for 3 to 4 days in your fridge.
Freezing
You can also freeze either a whole cooked meatloaf or leftover meatloaf! Wrap the cooled meatloaf well with plastic cling film, place in a freezer bag or airtight container, and freeze for up to 3 months for the best quality. Read more in my freezing meatloaf guide!
Reheating
When you’re ready to reheat the meatloaf, the oven is my favorite way to keep it moist while reheating! Preheat your oven to 250°F (121°C) and place the leftover meatloaf (you want to defrost any frozen meatloaf overnight in the fridge before reheating) into a baking dish.
Add a few splashes of beef broth or water to the bottom of the dish, then cover with aluminum foil and reheat for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the center is at least 165°F (74°C) when checked with a thermometer.
See all of my meatloaf reheating tips!
🥔 Sides For Meatloaf
Here are just a few of my favorite sides for meatloaf!
- Roasted Beets
- Crockpot Mac And Cheese
- Macaroni And Tomatoes
- Wedge Salad
- Curry Roasted Potatoes
- Air Fryer Mushrooms
❓ FAQ
Definitely! If you don’t prefer beef, you can try making this recipe with turkey! Be sure not to overcook the meatloaf (you want turkey to reach a temperature of 165°F (74°C) to be safe to eat) so it doesn’t dry out.
Milk makes the meatloaf extra moist, especially when combined with the cracker crumbs! You’ll never have a dry meatloaf when using it! If dairy milk isn’t your thing, you can use beef stock or an unsweetened milk alternative.
Sure! I love the savory taste of bell pepper in this recipe because it tastes just like how Cracker Barrel (and my grandma!) makes, but not everybody loves it! You can leave it out of the recipe, and it’ll still be delicious.
Do you love a recipe you tried? Please leave a 5-star 🌟rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page.
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📖 Recipe Card
Cracker Barrel Meatloaf Copycat Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs ground beef (lean 85%)
- ½ cup yellow onion (finely diced)
- ¼ cup green bell pepper (finely diced)
- 3 eggs
- 4 oz sharp cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup whole milk
- Ritz crackers (2 sleeves)
- 1 teaspoon each, salt & pepper
Meatloaf Glaze
- ½ cup ketchup
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (176°C).
- In a small bowl combine the glaze ingredients, whisk till smooth. Set aside for later.½ cup ketchup, ½ cup brown sugar, 1 tablespoon yellow mustard, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- In a large mixing bowl add the ground beef, onion, green pepper, eggs, cheese, milk, crushed Ritz crackers, salt, and pepper. Using your clean hands thoroughly combine all ingredients.1 ½ lbs ground beef, ½ cup yellow onion, ¼ cup green bell pepper, 3 eggs, 4 oz sharp cheddar cheese, ¼ cup whole milk, Ritz crackers, 1 teaspoon each, salt & pepper
- Place meatloaf mixture onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and form it into a loaf shape.
- Bake at 350°F (176°C) for 30 minutes, remove from the oven and apply the glaze over the top of the meatloaf.
- Return your meatloaf to the oven and continue baking for 30 minutes or until the meatloaf is 160°F (72°C) when the temperature is checked in the center of the loaf.
- Remove from oven and allow to rest for 10 minutes. Slice, serve, and enjoy!
Equipment You May Need
Notes
- For fine bits of your onion and green bell pepper, grate the vegetables using a cheese grater.
- To get a better shaped loaf look, you can put the meat mixture into a parchment paper lined bread pan and press down on it evenly. Flip the bread pan upside down over the parchment lined baking sheet.
- Use a digital meat thermometer to check the center of the meatloaf for doneness.
Nutrition
Angela is an at home chef that developed a passion for all things cooking and baking at a young age in her Grandma's kitchen. After many years in the food service industry, she now enjoys sharing all of her family favorite recipes and creating tasty dinner and amazing dessert recipes here at Bake It With Love!
Paulette Pierre says
I made this and my wife and daughter raved about it! I actually used 1/2 pound of ground veal and 1 pound of Wagu beef. So moist and delicious!!! Suggestion: double the sauce to add to the cooked meatloaf. Delicious!!
Jacqueline says
Best meatloaf recipe I’ve ever tried. It’s moist and so very flavorful. My family has asked that I keep this recipe on repeat, I will oblige their request!
Anonymous says
Thank you for sharing! It is so tasty, and has become our family favorite.
Mel says
Best meatloaf recipe ever! My boys loved it! Just curious if I can make ahead and freeze before cooking? Tysm for this fabulous recipe!
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
Yes, definitely! You can see all of my tips and instructions for freezing meatloaf raw or cooked here. Thanks for asking!
Christy says
This was a huge hit with my family! It is on my menu often now!
Ellen Cordova says
Can I substitute ground pork or chicken with ground beef on my meatloaf?
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
You can use any ground meat in a meatloaf recipe, see my ultimate guide here for more specifics.
Doug says
I’ve made several different recipes of meatloaf over the years. This recipe is hands down the best EVER ! I used 1 lbs of hamburger and 1 sleeve of ritz crackers, and 2 eggs. Didn’t have a green pepper so I used a 4 oz can of green chilies. This will be the only way I will make meatloaf again, thank you.
Carol says
Definitely a winner! This will be the meatloaf I make from now on!
Sue says
This is an excellent recipe. Very easy and very tasty. I make mine into muffin tins for 30 minutes. Perfect little helpings for us.
Anonymous says
Sooooo good!!!! Made this meatloaf about a month ago and it was a hit! Sadly, We didn’t have any leftovers 😕 so tonight I’ll be doubling the recipe 👩🍳
Heather Fletcher says
Thank you! Finally I made a meatloaf that actually came out right and tasted EXCELLENT!! This is a keeper!!
Linda D says
This was delicious! I’ve tried lots of meatloaf recipes but this one was perfect! I followed the recipe but doubled the topping because we like lots of sauce. Thank you for sharing!
Anonymous says
Amazing meatloaf recipe! So glad I went ahead and tried it out as written before tweaking the recipe like i usually do. It's the best Cracker Barrel meatloaf recipe my family and I have tried. Yummy, thanks for sharing.
Lois says
This was super delicious. My husband said, best meatloaf I've ever made. I must admit I made a few changes. I thought 2 sleeves of the crackers was way too much so I only used a generous cup of them. I left out the onions and peppers as they don't agree with me but added dried onion powder. My family is not a fan of a glaze, but I cut that recipe in half and topped the loaf with it. All in all, it was amazing.
Terri says
This is the BEST meatloaf we’ve ever had!! This is an all time favorite!!
Glenda Kavanagh says
Turned out perfect! My husband has never liked any other meatloaf but mine but when he had this one , he said he wanted this one from now on! Just delicious!
Norma says
I made this recipe last night! It was a big hit, the best I have ever made! For the first time I baked it without the meatloaf pan, I was very hesitant, but what the heck! It worked! This is my all time favorite now!
Thank you so much!
Pam says
My family and friends love this recipe! I have been trying to find a good recipe for 40 yrs. Thank you so much for sharing!
Terri says
It is super delicious!!! 😋
Betty says
This is so good! Came out great! Tasted awesome!!!
Thank you for sharing!!!
Anonymous says
Can you use buttermilk and regular crackers.
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
Yes, most definitely! It's not the same 'copycat' meatloaf but still quite tasty. Thanks for asking!
Laura says
Decided to try this recipe for meatloaf after reading the wonderful reviews. My Married Daughter Loves Meatloaf, so I wanted to surprise her for Mother’s Day. My Family did not like this as well as my meatloaf, though many of the ingredients are the same. I guess if it isn’t broken don’t try to fix it. Lesson learned.
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
This is a copycat recipe, so it is made to taste like the meatloaf sold at Cracker Barrel restaurants. I have many great meatloaf recipes to choose from, and I think that my meatloaf with oatmeal is one of the best basic (classic) recipes to build on and tweak to your liking. Thanks for sharing your feedback!
Elaine says
How do u make your meatloaf?
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
Instructions are in the recipe above. For more information take a look at my detailed posts How to make meatloaf and my Ultimate meatloaf guide
Frances says
Laura, will you share your recipe?
Dianna says
Best meatloaf I've ever had!
Debra Baldwin says
This meatloaf is so delicious. Best meatloaf ever. I will not make another kind. Thank you so much for sharing it
lindie s says
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️WHAT A WINNER! My husband would moan ugh when I use to make meatloaf. I have to say that he really loves THIS recipe! I believe when you try a recipe for the first time give the recipe creator the courtesy of making it as it is intended it to be. No need to. change anything with this one. I have been making so-so meatloaf for almost 40 years and finally I have found the PERFECT meatloaf recipe . This is a GREAT recipe! Thank you to BAKEITWITHLOVE.COM❣️❣️❣️
Leanna says
I couldnt agree more. Such a pet peeve of mine when the recipe is completely altered then leaves a bad review. Try as it's intended to be first.
Everyone in my home gives this recipe 5 stars.
Ted says
Tried it yesterday. Loved it. Only changes were I smoked it with Hickory. Used Bison instead of beef, Hatch Green Chile's instead of bell peppers and 4 cheeze Mexican blend replacing cheddar. This was the best meatloaf I ever ate!
Gwen says
I have had many meat loaf recipes, but, this one is my new favorite!! We loved it, my whole family did. We will be making this one now.
Lou says
Ritz crackers come in two different size sleeves. Some are the length of the package (about 7 or 8 ") and some are half that size. Which is correct? Perhaps could mention it in cups?
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
This has been addressed in comments as roughly 20 crackers per sleeve. Any 'sleeve' of original crackers is standard-sized rather than the shorter ones sold as 'fresh stacks'. Thanks for asking!
Debra Steadham says
GIRL…. cracker barrel ain’t got nothing on you! Made the meatloaf tonight, and it will be the only meatloaf that I will ever make from now on! OMG it was so good. Can’t wait to try your other recipes 😁
Kathy Sexton says
This meat loaf is the most delicious and
moistest meat loaf that I have ever eaten.
My husband and I are crazy about it.
Chris says
I have family members that don’t eat beef, if I sub ground turkey do I still use the same amount of Ritz? And what time adjustment should I make for the change in meat.
Thank you for your help
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
You can use the same amount of crackers, the only thing to really adjust is to season more aggressively. There will be less fat, so less flavor. Enjoy!
Anonymous says
This was a great meatloaf recipe didn’t think after all the meatloafs I made I would consider trying but it was well worth it .I’m almost positive my grand boys will love it and they are so fussy.Try it you’ll love it .
Carole Lacoste says
Une manche de biscuits Ritz, c’est combien de biscuits Ritz???
"A sleeve of Ritz cookies is how many Ritz cookies???"
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
Je dirais environ 20 crackers. C'est une manche de taille très standard ici aux États-Unis.
"I would say approximately 20 crackers. It's a very standard-sized sleeve here in the US."
LuAnn AZ says
Absolutely love this recipe I’ve made it for years never a bad meatloaf yet. People at work enjoy it as well ❤️
LuAnn from AZ says
I’ve made this meatloaf many times. I made another one one time and was told….the other one is better! So I won’t make that mistake again! This is fantastic and easy. You will keep this recipe handy. Makes great sandwiches too!
Anonymous says
This recipe is the best! It has so much flavor and it’s so easy! Definitely recommend especially if you’re new to cooking!
Karen Cook says
THIS is the best meatloaf recipe!! I made it for our son's wedding rehearsal dinner in January....for 40 people. Received all positive comments on how good it was. Note: I made it nearly two weeks before the event, in four disposable pans and froze it and transported it in our car in a freezer bag for 10 hours. It stayed frozen. Thanks for sharing this delicious recipe!
Karen says
Can I use meatloaf mix (beef, pork, veal) instead of just ground beef?
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
Yes, most definitely. It won't be so much a copycat recipe, but it will certainly be tasty!
LuAnn AZ says
I’ve added hot pork sausage to it I just make sure there is about the same poundage of meat the recipe calls for!
Anne says
I made double serving size so I would have left overs....but it was all gone in 1 night....Everyone even the kiddos LOVED IT.
Awesome meatloaf😊....thankyou
Agnes says
Can Meatloaf be baked in a loaf pan?
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
Yes, most definitely! Enjoy!!
Pam says
I don't care whose meatloaf this does or doesn't taste like, it is REALLY, REALLY DELICIOUS! Have deleted previous meatloaf recipes on Pinterest and only saving this one; it's a keeper..Thanks for sharing!
Melissa says
I actually use this recipe to make meatloaf meatballs. The meatball format is easier to serve and store in the freezer for when I'm cooking ahead! Love it!
Chris McIvor says
Made it with Quorn mince to make it vegetarian and it was delicious
Judy Maddox says
Super easy recipe to follow. It came out moist and delicious!! Will definitely be my go to for meatloaf. Thank you!!
Dave Wink says
Um. Wow. This was incredible.
Deb says
*IN*
Deb says
I’m the oven now, looking forward since all reviews were positive. I’ve made so many looking for the ‘one’, hopefully this is it 😊
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
Awesome! Hope you enjoy the copycat meatloaf!
Misti says
This was amazing!! My boyfriend and I had stuffing as a side dish and it all went together perfectly. It'll be a recipe we make often. Thanks for sharing!!
Elle says
Going to try this tonight ! Thanks
Leigh says
This is probably the 5th time I've made this recipe and each time it is a major hit for our family. When I buy the 1.5 lb of beef for this, I only use one 32 count sleeve of crackers and it mixes beautifully. The finished product is perfectly intact.
Monte says
Wish I could send this to my printer, anysuggestions?
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
Make sure any pop-up blockers are off when trying to print. Here's the print page link, hope that helps! https://bakeitwithlove.com/wprm_print/36723
Ute says
My Family loved this recipe! I have tried so many different ones over the years and yours is by far the favorite. I loved that it didn't require a pan and there was much easier to handle.
Dale Beaver says
I meal prep on the weekends this is the best meatloaf ever and it freezes beautifully! I triple the recipe and then after its cooked I cut and freeze
Madeline says
I have tried many meatloaf recipes and this is by far the winner. The family said it was the best. Thanks!!!
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
Awesome! Thanks for sharing with us 🙂
Art Vandelay says
recipe won't print?
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
Try this link (the print page) https://bakeitwithlove.com/wprm_print/36723
Hope that helps!
Jean says
Which size sleeve of Ritz Crackers do I use.....mini or regular? There are 32 crackers in a regular sleeve. Two would be 64 crackers and that seems like a lot??Je
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
Hello Jean! The meatloaf recipe is a wet one, and using 2 whole normal sleeves will help to prevent the cooked meatloaf from being mush. Thanks for asking! ~ Angela
Anonymous says
I used 2 mini sleeves of Ritz crackers, I hope I didn't mess up my meatloaf. My first time making it
I am anxious to try it!
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
This meatloaf tends to be on the wet side, so please use 2 standard-size sleeves of the Ritz crackers for best results. Hoping you enjoyed your meatloaf anyway!
Leigh says
Best recipe I've come across. Definitely a keeper. My hubby really enjoyed it too. Oh and your recipe is much better than the Cracker Barrel version for sure.
Michelle says
This was the best meatloaf I have ever made, and I have tried lots of different recipes. It is definitely my new meatloaf recipe.😁
Penny Mastry says
Delicious sending to myGranddaughters .