Description
Enjoy the nostalgic, comforting taste of Southern-style meatloaf right in your own kitchen. This recipe yields a savory, tender, and moist loaf, bound with buttery crackers and packed with sharp cheddar cheese. Finished with a signature tangy and sweet caramelized glaze, it is a perfect family-friendly meal that tastes even better as leftovers. Simple to prepare, incredibly budget-friendly, and guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser for any Sunday dinner or comforting weeknight meal.
Ingredients
1.5 lbs lean ground beef (85% lean)
0.5 cup yellow onion, finely diced
0.25 cup green bell pepper, finely diced
3 large eggs
4 oz sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
0.25 cup whole milk
2 sleeves Ritz crackers, crushed
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
0.5 cup ketchup
0.5 cup brown sugar
1 tbsp yellow mustard
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a small bowl, whisk together the ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce to create the glaze.
Crush the Ritz crackers in a sealed bag until they are fine crumbs.
In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, onion, bell pepper, eggs, cheese, milk, crackers, salt, and pepper.
Mix the ingredients by hand until just combined, being careful not to overwork the meat.
Shape the mixture into a loaf on the prepared baking sheet.
Spread half of the glaze over the meatloaf.
Bake for 60 minutes, brushing with the remaining glaze halfway through the cooking time.
Remove from the oven and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
Notes
Ensure you do not overwork the meat to keep the texture tender. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 160°F. For the best flavor, let the meatloaf rest before slicing to allow the juices to redistribute.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 60
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American