Cracker Barrel Meatloaf

I still remember the tired, satisfied hush that fell over our kitchen when the meatloaf came out of the oven on a Sunday evening, the sweet-tangy glaze bubbling at the edges and the whole house smelling like home, and that cozy comfort is exactly what I think of when I make Cracker Barrel Meatloaf for family dinners.

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Why You’ll Love It

This meatloaf is one of those easy, reliable recipes that folds into a busy week or a slow weekend with the same warm result, it feeds a small family, reheats beautifully for leftovers, and gives you that familiar diner-style flavor without needing a restaurant outing, so it’s perfect when you want a simple, comforting meal that everyone recognizes.

Serves 6
Prep Time: 20 minutes |
Cook Time: 60 minutes |
Total Time: 80 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef (80 20)
• 1/2 pound ground pork
• 1 cup plain breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 cup finely chopped yellow onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley or 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley
• 1/2 cup ketchup plus 1/4 cup for the glaze
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar for the glaze
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard for the glaze (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment or lightly grease a loaf pan.
2. In a small bowl, soak the breadcrumbs in milk until absorbed, about 5 minutes.
3. In a large bowl combine the ground beef and pork, soaked breadcrumbs, beaten eggs, chopped onion, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and parsley, mixing gently with your hands until just combined.
4. Shape the mixture into a loaf on the prepared baking sheet or press into the loaf pan, smooth the top and tuck the ends under for a neat shape.
5. Mix 1/2 cup ketchup, brown sugar, and Dijon mustard in a small bowl, spread half of the glaze evenly over the top of the raw loaf.
6. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes until an instant read thermometer reads 160 degrees F in the center, about 55 minutes for a loaf on a baking sheet.
7. Remove from the oven and brush with the remaining glaze, let rest for 10 minutes before slicing so the juices set and slices hold their shape.

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Recipe Variations

• Maple Bacon Glaze swap the ketchup glaze for a mixture of maple syrup and a touch of mustard and top with crumbled cooked bacon for a smoky sweet finish.
• Turkey and Oats for a lighter loaf use ground turkey and replace breadcrumbs with rolled oats to reduce calories and add a tender texture.
• Southwest Twist add a teaspoon of chili powder and a chopped green chile to the meat mix and use a chipotle ketchup glaze for a smoky heat.
• Classic Vegetarian use a lentil and mushroom base with flax egg and panko to mimic texture and finish with the same ketchup brown sugar glaze.

Make Ahead: You can mix the meat mixture and form the loaf up to 24 hours ahead, wrap tightly and refrigerate, add the glaze and bake when ready; cooked meatloaf keeps well in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days and slices freeze flat in a single layer for up to 3 months.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Cracker Barrel Meatloaf

This meatloaf is one of those easy, reliable recipes that folds into a busy week or a slow weekend with the same warm result, it feeds a small family, reheats beautifully for leftovers, and gives you that familiar diner-style flavor without needing a restaurant outing, so it’s perfect when you want a simple, comforting meal that everyone recognizes.

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Yield:Serves 6

Total:80 mins

Prep:20 mins

Cook:60 mins

Category:Dinner

Cuisine:American

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Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef (80 20)
• 1/2 pound ground pork
• 1 cup plain breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 cup finely chopped yellow onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley or 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley
• 1/2 cup ketchup plus 1/4 cup for the glaze
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar for the glaze
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard for the glaze (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment or lightly grease a loaf pan.
2. In a small bowl, soak the breadcrumbs in milk until absorbed, about 5 minutes.
3. In a large bowl combine the ground beef and pork, soaked breadcrumbs, beaten eggs, chopped onion, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and parsley, mixing gently with your hands until just combined.
4. Shape the mixture into a loaf on the prepared baking sheet or press into the loaf pan, smooth the top and tuck the ends under for a neat shape.
5. Mix 1/2 cup ketchup, brown sugar, and Dijon mustard in a small bowl, spread half of the glaze evenly over the top of the raw loaf.
6. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes until an instant read thermometer reads 160 degrees F in the center, about 55 minutes for a loaf on a baking sheet.
7. Remove from the oven and brush with the remaining glaze, let rest for 10 minutes before slicing so the juices set and slices hold their shape.

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Nutrition Facts

Per serving

Calories

430 kcal

Fat

28 g

Total Carbs

20 g

Protein

28 g

Keywords

Cracker Barrel Meatloaf, meatloaf, comfort food

Author

Soumyadip

Conclusion

This Cracker Barrel Meatloaf recipe is the kind of dish that turns weeknights into something comforting and weekends into a reminder of home, it’s forgiving, easy to scale, and rewards you with tasty leftovers and memories of warm, simple meals, so take your time with the glaze, avoid overhandling the meat, and trust the rest time to give you clean slices and happy dinner company.