Cracker Barrel is known for its homestyle cooking, popularized by diners who want a comforting meal without the effort of making it themselves. Among their most popular menu items is their meatloaf, which is especially favored at lunchtime. This meatloaf stands out because it’s studded with fresh veggies and is topped with a sticky-sweet ketchup-based sauce. With our Copycat Cracker Barrel Meatloaf recipe, you can recreate the magic in your own kitchen!
This recipe features a moist base that’s perfectly infused with salt, pepper, and garlic. Fresh onions and bell peppers give the meatloaf an incredible texture, and Ritz crackers hold the entire loaf together. This is one dinner you don’t want to miss out on! Our Copycat Cracker Barrel Meatloaf is the ideal family dinner or date night entree, especially when served with vegetables, rolls, and potatoes. Be sure to save any leftover meatloaf for sandwiches or stick it in the freezer to enjoy later. Without further ado, let’s learn how to make an exact dupe for Cracker Barrel Meatloaf.
What is Meatloaf?
Meatloaf is easily one of the greatest culinary inventions. We can trace it back to Ancient Rome, where people made something similar with wine-soaked seeds, bread, and spices. In the Middle Ages, meatloaf grew popular, primarily as an easy way to use leftover meat and bread crusts. Americans jumped on the meatloaf train during the Great Depression when meat needed to be stretched in frugal ways. In this era, chefs often used breadcrumbs or dried oats to create a juicy meatloaf.
To this day, meatloaf remains a popular dish, and every region seems to have a different version. In the South, meatloaf tastes much like our Copycat Cracker Barrel Meatloaf, complete with a tangy tomato-based sauce. Midwest meatloaf is often topped with barbecue sauce or plain ketchup, and other countries get even wilder. If you visit Germany, don’t be surprised to find a hard-boiled egg in your meatloaf! With a combination of heartiness and versatility, meatloaf is bound to be a classic entree for years to come.
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Cost to Make the Cracker Barrel Meatloaf Recipe
Meatloaf is never the cheapest entree on the menu, and a slice of Cracker Barrel Meatloaf with two sides will cost just under $12. In contrast, you can make 6-8 servings of our Homemade Cracker Barrel Meatloaf for just $14.68. Wow! That is a mind-blowing comparison..for almost the exact cost of serving one person, you can serve an entire family. At that rate, you can definitely add a few side dishes…and maybe even dessert!
Keep in mind that this total may vary based on your location and ingredient availability. Here’s how that breaks down:
- Butter: $0.33
- Yellow onion: $0.50
- Bell pepper: $0.75
- Ground beef: $8.00
- Ritz crackers: $0.50
- Eggs: $0.60
- Cheddar cheese: $1.25
- Milk: $0.13
- Salt: $0.02
- Pepper: $0.05
- Garlic powder: $0.10
- Ketchup: $1.60
- Brown sugar: $0.25
- Mustard: $0.10
Grand Total: $14.68
Not to mention, you get the satisfaction of making something from scratch and can customize it to fit your preferences.
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How to Make the Cracker Barrel Meatloaf Recipe
Here’s how to make enough Copycat Cracker Barrel Meatloaf to serve the entire family!
Step One: Saute the Veggies
Preheat the oven to 375℉. Add the butter to a large saucepan placed over medium-low heat and let melt. Add the diced onion and bell pepper, sauteing until soft. Remove from the pan and let cool.
Step Two: Make the Cracker Barrel Meatloaf Mixture
Combine the sauteed veggies, ground beef, crushed Ritz crackers, whisked eggs, Cheddar cheese, milk, salt, pepper, and garlic powder in a large bowl until homogenous.
Step Three: Form the Meatloaf
Transfer the meatloaf mixture into a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan. Bake for 45 minutes.
Step Four: Make the Topping
Combine the ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard in a small bowl until smooth. Brush over the top of the Copycat Cracker Barrel Meatloaf and bake for another 25 minutes, or until the middle of the meatloaf reaches 160℉. Remove from the oven and let cool for at least 20 minutes before removing from the pan. Enjoy!
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What to Serve With Homemade Cracker Barrel Meatloaf
This recipe goes great with tender asparagus and creamy mashed potatoes. You can also serve it with our Copycat Cracker Barrel Loaded Hashbrown Recipe for an authentic Cracker Barrel experience.
Storing Leftover Copycat Cracker Barrel Meatloaf
You can store leftover Copycat Cracker Barrel Meatloaf in the fridge for up to five days or freeze it for up to five months. If reheating from frozen, you may want to make additional topping.
The Comforting Cracker Barrel Meatloaf Recipe: Elevating Family Dinner
Are you in the mood for a rich, decadent dinner reminiscent of Cracker Barrel? If so, you’ve got to try our Copycat Cracker Barrel Meatloaf. This dish is filled with soft bell peppers and onion, and is infused with a fabulous blend of spices. The cherry on top is a sticky-sweet ketchup-based sauce. This recipe will remind you of your Mom’s meatloaf..in all the best ways. Add a side of asparagus and creamy mashed potatoes for a complete meal.
- Loaf Pan
- Whisk
Meatloaf
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 count yellow onion (diced)
- 1 count bell pepper (diced)
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 cup Ritz crackers (crushed)
- 3 count eggs (whisked)
- 1 cup cheddar cheese (shredded)
- ½ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Topping
- 1 cup ketchup
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons yellow mustard
Preheat the oven to 375℉. Add the butter to a large saucepan placed over medium-low heat and let melt. Add the diced onion and bell pepper, sautéing until soft. Remove from the pan and let cool.
Combine the sauteed veggies, ground beef, crushed Ritz crackers, whisked eggs, cheddar cheese, milk, salt, pepper, and garlic powder in a large bowl until homogenous.
Transfer the meatloaf mixture into a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan. Bake for 45 minutes.
Combine the ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard in a small bowl until smooth. Brush over the top of the Copycat Cracker Barrel Meatloaf and bake for another 25 minutes, or until the middle of the meatloaf reaches 160℉. Remove from the oven and let cool for at least 20 minutes before removing from the pan. Enjoy!