Description
Southern comfort meets hearty home cooking with Cracker Barrel Meatloaf, a classic recipe that blends ground beef, savory seasonings, and a tangy glaze. Rich flavors and nostalgic charm invite you to savor each comforting bite of this timeless American dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 0.5 lbs ground pork
Binding and Moisture Ingredients:
- 2 large eggs
- 0.5 cup milk
- 0.75 cup breadcrumbs
- 0.25 cup ketchup
Seasoning and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Topping:
- 0.5 cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a large baking dish by lightly greasing it to prevent sticking.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, combine ground beef and ground pork, creating a uniform meat mixture by gently blending with your hands.
- Incorporate finely chopped onion and minced garlic into the meat, distributing them evenly throughout the mixture.
- Crack eggs into the meat mixture, then pour in milk and ketchup, mixing thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are well integrated.
- Sprinkle breadcrumbs over the meat mixture, carefully folding them in to help bind the ingredients and maintain moisture.
- Season the mixture with salt and black pepper, continuing to mix until all components are evenly distributed.
- Transfer the meat mixture to the prepared baking dish, shaping it into a compact loaf with gentle, even pressure.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together ketchup, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce to create a glossy, tangy topping.
- Generously spread the prepared topping over the entire surface of the meatloaf, ensuring complete and even coverage.
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 60-70 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
- Remove the meatloaf from the oven and let it rest for 10-15 minutes, allowing the juices to redistribute before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Ensure meat mixture isn’t overmixed to keep the meatloaf tender and prevent a tough, dense texture.
- Lean ground beef can make the meatloaf dry, so use 80/20 ground beef for optimal moisture and flavor.
- Sauté onions before adding to the mixture to reduce raw onion flavor and enhance overall taste profile.
- Gluten-free adaptation is simple: replace breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or crushed gluten-free crackers.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 60-70 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg