Cracker Barrel Meatloaf Recipe
Enjoy the comforting taste of Cracker Barrel’s famous meatloaf in the comfort of your own home with this delicious copycat recipe. This meatloaf is seasoned to perfection, glazed with a sweet and tangy ketchup sauce, and baked to moist and flavorful perfection. Serve it with your favorite sides for a hearty and satisfying meal.
Ingredients:
For the Meatloaf:
- 2 pounds ground beef (80% lean)
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 green bell pepper, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
For the Sauce:
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons yellow mustard
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Prepare the Meatloaf Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, finely chopped onion, finely chopped green bell pepper, breadcrumbs, milk, eggs, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix until all the ingredients are well combined.
- Shape the Meatloaf: Shape the meat mixture into a loaf shape and place it in a greased 9×5-inch (23×13 cm) loaf pan. You can also form it into a loaf shape on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, mix together the ketchup, light brown sugar, and yellow mustard. This is the glaze for your meatloaf.
- Glaze the Meatloaf: Spread about half of the sauce mixture evenly over the top of the meatloaf, reserving the other half for later.
- Bake: Place the meatloaf in the preheated oven and bake for about 45 minutes.
- Apply the Remaining Glaze: After 45 minutes, remove the meatloaf from the oven and spread the remaining sauce mixture over the top.
- Continue Baking: Return the meatloaf to the oven and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C) and the meatloaf is cooked through.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the meatloaf from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute, keeping the meatloaf moist.
- Slice and Enjoy: Slice the meatloaf, serve it with your favorite sides, and enjoy!
Tips:
- You can customize this meatloaf by adding ingredients like diced mushrooms, shredded cheese, or diced jalapeños to the meat mixture for extra flavor and texture.
- For a healthier option, you can use lean ground beef or a mixture of ground beef and ground turkey.
- Leftover meatloaf makes delicious sandwiches. Simply place slices of meatloaf between bread or rolls with your favorite condiments and veggies.
Now you can savor the taste of Cracker Barrel’s famous meatloaf anytime you want with this homemade version. It’s a classic comfort food that’s perfect for family dinners.
