Cracker Barrel Meatloaf
Ingredients:
2 pounds lean ground beef
1 small onion, finely diced
1/2 cup bell pepper, finely diced optional
1 1/2 sleeves crushed Ritz crackers about 48 crackers total
4 oz. shredded sharp cheddar or Colby cheese
3 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper
For the Topping:
1/2 to 3/4 cup ketchup
2 tbsp. brown sugar
1 tsp. mustard
Directions:
Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350F 175C.
Prepare the Topping:
In a small bowl, combine the ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard. Set aside for later use.
Mix the Ingredients:
In a large bowl, mix together the eggs, crushed Ritz crackers, cheese, milk, onion, bell pepper, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
Add the Ground Beef:
Gently incorporate the ground beef into the mixture. Mix until just combinedavoid overmixing.
Form the Loaf:
Shape the mixture into a loaf and place it in a baking pan or on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper.
First Bake:
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
Add the Topping:
Remove the meatloaf from the oven and spread the ketchup topping over the top.
Finish Baking:
Return the meatloaf to the oven and bake for an additional 30 to 40 minutes, or until the center reaches 160F 71C.
Cool and Serve:
Let the meatloaf cool for 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Enjoy this delicious and crowd-pleasing meatloaf!