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    Home » Recipes » Main Dish

    Meatloaf with Ritz Crackers

    Published: Nov 19, 2021 · Modified: Jun 13, 2022 by Kelsey Smith

    1.7K shares
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    This classic meatloaf with Ritz crackers recipe is perfectly seasoned, topped with a ketchup, Worcestershire, brown sugar glaze.

    This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Meatloaf on a cutting board garnished with fresh parsley. Two one-inch slices are cut off the loaf.

    This recipe is flavored with sweet onion, garlic, ketchup, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. It's an easy family recipe that the kids can help cook.

    Serve this homestyle meal with mash potatoes, a side salad, green beans, or macaroni and cheese.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Ingredient Notes
    • Top Tips
    • Equipment
    • 📖 Recipe
    • Food safety
    • 💬 Comments

    Ingredients

    This is a traditional meatloaf recipe similar to Cracker Barrel meatloaf.

    Meatloaf with Ritz crackers ingredients: lean ground beef, Ritz crackers, onion, garlic, eggs, milk, ketchup, Italian seasoning, salt, ground black pepper, garlic powder, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce.
    • lean ground beef
    • Ritz crackers
    • sweet onion
    • garlic
    • eggs
    • milk
    • ketchup
    • Italian seasoning
    • salt
    • ground black pepper
    • garlic powder
    • brown sugar
    • Worcestershire sauce

    See the recipe card for quantities.

    Instructions

    Preheat the oven to 375°F and line a 9x5 loaf pan with parchment paper.

    Tip: Lining the loaf pan will allow you to remove the meatloaf from the tin with ease. Or, if you plan to leave it in the pan, it protects the pan from your knife when you cut a slice.

    Meatloaf ingredients unmixed in a large bowl: lean ground beef, Ritz crackers crumbled, finely diced onion, minced garlic, beaten eggs, milk, ketchup, Italian seasoning, salt, ground black pepper, and garlic powder.

    In a large bowl, thoroughly mix together all of the meatloaf ingredients.

    Raw meatloaf mixture well combined in a large bowl.
    Be sure to thoroughly mix the ingredients. I recommend mixing by hand.

    Press the meatloaf mixture into the loaf pan, firmly pushing it to fill every corner. Bake for 40 minutes.

    Uncooked meatloaf mixture in a parchment lined loaf pan, firmly packed.
    Here you can see how to line the loaf pan with parchment paper.

    In a small bowl, combine the glaze ingredients.

    Close up of meatloaf ketchup glaze in a small bowl with a spoon.
    Get your glaze ready while the meatloaf bakes.

    After the meatloaf has finished its first bake, spread the glaze over the meatloaf. Baked for an additional 15-20 minutes.

    Baked meatloaf covered in ketchup glaze in a loaf pan sitting on a hot mitt. The parchment is yellowed from baking.

    The meatloaf should reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).

    Small dinner plate with two one-inch slices of meatloaf and a serving of mashed potatoes. The meatloaf is topped with fresh parsley.
    Garnish with fresh parsley (optional).

    Allow the meatloaf to cool for at least 10-15 minutes before serving.

    Ingredient Notes

    • Ground beef: Lean ground beef is recommended for this recipe, 85% or 90% lean.
    • Milk: Milk helps keep the meat moist.
    • Eggs: Eggs help hold the meatloaf together.
    • Ritz crackers: Ritz crackers act as the breadcrumbs to bulk up the meatloaf and keep the meat tender. A cup of regular breadcrumbs can be used in their place if desired.

    Leave any ingredient questions in the comments.

    Top Tips

    • Don't forget to line your loaf pan with parchment.
    • Easily crush the Ritz crackers in a zipper baggie.
    • When you cut into hot meat, the liquid escapes. Allow the meatloaf to cool so it retains its juices.
    Crushed Ritz crackers in a sandwich zipper baggie.

    Equipment

    • Loaf pan: The measurements on mine at 8.5 x 4.5 x 2.75 inches, but 9 x 5 inches is most common.
    • Parchment paper: Try these pre-cut parchment paper sheets.
    • Mixing bowls
    • Meat thermometer
    • Chef's knife
    • Cutting board

    📖 Recipe

    Meatloaf on a cutting board garnished with fresh parsley. Two one-inch slices are cut off the loaf.
    Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved! Email Print

    Meatloaf with Ritz Crackers

    This classic meatloaf with Ritz crackers recipe is perfectly seasoned, topped with a ketchup, Worcestershire, brown sugar glaze.
    4.91 from 10 votes
    Recipe by: Kelsey Smith
    Prep time: 12 minutes
    Cook time: 55 minutes
    Total time: 1 hour 7 minutes
    Servings: 8

    Equipment

    • Loaf pan
    • Parchment paper
    • Large mixing bowl
    • Meat thermometer
    • Chef's knife
    • Cutting board

    Ingredients
      

    Meatloaf ingredients

    • 2 lbs lean ground beef
    • 1 cup Ritz crackers crumbled
    • 1 sweet onion finely diced
    • 2 cloves garlic minced
    • 2 large eggs beaten
    • ⅓ cup milk
    • ¼ cup ketchup
    • 2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder

    Glaze ingredients

    • ¾ cup ketchup
    • 2 tablespoon brown sugar
    • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
    • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 375°F and line a 9x5 loaf pan with parchment paper. In a large bowl, thoroughly mix together all of the meatloaf ingredients.
    • Press the meatloaf mixture into the loaf pan, firmly pushing it to fill every corner. Bake for 40 minutes.
    • In a small bowl, combine the glaze ingredients. After the meatloaf has finished its first bake, spread the glaze over the meatloaf. Baked for an additional 15-20 minutes or until the meatloaf reaches an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
    • Allow the meatloaf to cool for at least 10-15 minutes before serving.

    Notes

    Lean ground beef is recommended for this recipe, either 85% lean or 90% lean ground sirloin, or a mix of the two.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 278kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 27gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 112mgSodium: 749mgPotassium: 609mgFiber: 1gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 241IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 68mgIron: 4mg
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: ground beef
    Tried this recipe?Rate it to let me know how it was!

    Food safety

    Don't forget to review the list below of health and safety tips.

    • Cook to a minimum temperature of 160°F (71°C)
    • Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
    • Wash hands after touching raw meat
    • Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods

    See more guidelines at USDA.gov.

    Meatloaf with Ritz CrackersMeatloaf with Ritz Crackers

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    About Kelsey Smith

    I am a freelance content writer for college-level textbooks by day, mommy by night, and a blogger in between. I live in Knoxville, Tennessee with my husband, Xavier. When I'm not working on college textbooks, you might find me here, sharing recipes, social media tutorials, and more.

    Reader Interactions

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    1. Carmen says

      January 22, 2023 at 3:31 pm

      Have all ingredients on hand!! Looking forward to trying it tonight!

      Reply
    2. Kelsey Smith says

      November 05, 2022 at 4:16 pm

      I absolutely had to try your recipe as we share the same name! Anyways great job I loved it.

      Reply
      • Kelsey Smith says

        November 07, 2022 at 10:43 am

        Name twin!

        Reply
    3. Colton says

      April 02, 2022 at 10:16 pm

      5 stars
      Wonderfully delicious meatloaf, possibly the best I have had since my grandmother passed on!!

      Reply
      • Kelsey Smith says

        April 03, 2022 at 9:46 am

        That is so heartwarming to hear. I am so glad you liked it.

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Kelsey! I am a freelance content writer for college-level textbooks by day, mommy by night, and a blogger in between. I live in Knoxville, Tennessee with my husband, Xavier. When I'm not working, you might find me here, sharing easy comfort food recipes.

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