Description
Comforting Cracker Barrel meatloaf brings hearty Southern charm to dinner tables with its rich blend of ground beef, onions, and classic seasonings. Warm family memories and satisfying flavors invite you to savor each delicious bite of this homestyle favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Ingredients:
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 0.5 lbs ground pork
Dairy and Binding Ingredients:
- 1 cup milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Dry and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 packet onion soup mix
- 0.5 cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
Topping:
- 0.5 cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a 9×5 inch loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray, ensuring even coverage.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, thoroughly combine ground beef and ground pork, creating a uniform meat mixture.
- Crack eggs into the meat blend, then pour in milk, whisking together until completely integrated.
- Incorporate breadcrumbs, onion soup mix, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper into the meat mixture, blending carefully to distribute seasonings evenly.
- Fold in shredded cheddar cheese, gently mixing to maintain the cheese’s texture throughout the loaf.
- Transfer the meat mixture into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula to create an even surface.
- Craft the topping by whisking ketchup and brown sugar together until well combined and glossy.
- Generously spread the sweet ketchup glaze over the entire surface of the meatloaf, ensuring complete coverage.
- Place the meatloaf in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 1 hour, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
- Remove from the oven and let the meatloaf rest for 10-15 minutes, allowing juices to redistribute and making slicing easier.
- Slice into hearty portions and serve warm, drizzling any remaining pan juices over the top.
Notes
- Meat Selection Matters: Choose a blend of ground beef and pork with 80/20 fat content for maximum moisture and rich flavor that prevents dry, tough meatloaf.
- Cheese Distribution Technique: Fold shredded cheddar gently to create pockets of melted cheese throughout the loaf, preventing clumping and ensuring even flavor.
- Glaze Perfection Tip: Brush the ketchup-brown sugar glaze multiple times during baking to create a caramelized, sticky-sweet exterior that adds depth to the meatloaf.
- Dietary Adaptation: Swap ground meats with ground turkey or plant-based alternatives for lighter versions, and use gluten-free breadcrumbs to accommodate different dietary needs.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 760 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg