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    Home » Main » Meatloaf Recipe With Crackers

    Meatloaf Recipe With Crackers

    Published: Jan 11, 2021 · Modified: May 26, 2021 by Megan Porta · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This is the best meatloaf recipe with crackers you’ll ever eat and it is such an easy classic dish. It’ll quickly become a favorite family meal!

    Piece of meatloaf with crackers recipe on a white plate next to green beans.

    Original recipe: February 2018 | Updated: January 2021

    Why This Recipe Works

    Please hear me out. I understand that the word “meatloaf” is a turn-off to some. If this is you, I beg you to set your qualms aside because you have just landed on this blog post detailing the most delicious meatloaf you will ever eat.

    A few years ago I dug up my mother’s handwritten recipe from childhood and used it as my guide. I don’t remember ever eating a recipe as good as hers.

    This recipe is a version of hers (and it is a great recipe!), with an added irresistible sauce. I have received so many comments and emails over the years from people who tell me this famous Pip and Ebby meatloaf has become their favorite go-to recipe.

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    Recipe Ingredients for the Best Meatloaf Recipe Ever

    Beef – To avoid an extra greasy meatloaf, use a leaner meat like ground turkey or even venison. Beef meatloaf is incredible, but I promise the flavor is still super amazing no matter which type of meat you use in the recipe.

    Photo compilation: meatloaf ingredients in bowls.

    Crackers – Ritz crackers taste so incredible in this recipe, but feel free to replace equal amounts of crushed saltines, if desired.

    Onion – Chop the onion very finely to avoid an end product that falls apart easily.

    Milk – Any type of milk can be used in this recipe. Almond, skim, 1%, 2% or whole.

    Sauce – The apricot preserves in the sauce MAKES this recipe, but if you don’t have it on hand grape or cherry jelly or jam are great replacements.

    How To Make This Recipe For Meatloaf Using Ritz Crackers

    Step 1

    Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 5×9 loaf pan with cooking spray and set aside. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, crushed Ritz crackers, egg, milk, ketchup, finely chopped onion, salt, pepper and garlic powder.

    Meatloaf ingredients with crackers, ketchup and more, with text labels in a mixing bowl.

    Mix everything together with your hands until it is thoroughly combined.

    Step 2

    Pour the meat mixture into the prepared pan and spread evenly.

    Ground beef mixture in a loaf pan.

    Place the pan on a rimmed baking sheet (this is important!) so grease does not spill over the edges and into your oven!

    Bake in the preheated oven for 1 1/2 hours (add the sauce at around the 45 minutes mark!).

    Step 3

    Make the meatloaf sauce: In a small bowl, combine ketchup, brown sugar, apricot preserves and Worcestershire sauce.

    Sauce ingredients with text labels in a mixing bowl.

    Mix well. Spread half of the mixture evenly over the meatloaf halfway through baking.

    Sauce spread over top of dinner in a pan.

    Reserve the remainder of the meatloaf topping for dipping/topping. Let the meatloaf sit for 15 minutes before slicing and serving or it may fall apart on you.

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    What To Serve With This Easy Meatloaf Recipe

    Check out this comprehensive list of side dishes that pair perfectly with meatloaf! You will find 44 options to choose from, ranging from a simple hashbrown casserole to a chopped salad to marinated carrots (and so much more!). Stuffed Sweet Potatoes or a pile of hot mashed potatoes are perfect options, too.

    Other Ways To Prepare This Dish

    • Instant Pot Meatloaf is super quick and easy to make and it is SO delicious. It cooks so much more quickly than an oven-baked meatloaf. 
    • Don’t forget the sauce! This red sauce recipe will transform your next comfort food dinner and quickly turn into a family favorite.
    • Check out this yummy roundup filled with delicious ideas for other beef and pork meatloaf recipes to get on the table tonight!

    Substitute for Bread Crumbs in Meatloaf

    Whether you are looking for a gluten-free replacement or you just don’t have bread crumbs on hand, learn what to substitute for breadcrumbs in this dish!

    What To Do With Leftovers

    • Make meatloaf tacos.
    • Add to a batch of chili, yum!
    • Create leftover meatloaf sandwiches, obviously!
    • Crumble it up and throw into spaghetti sauce to create leftover meatloaf spaghetti.
    • Break into pieces and add it to your next batch of nachos.
    • Build a few meatball subs, substituting meatballs for chunks of meatloaf.

    Comfort Food Recipes

    • Homestyle Ground Beef Casserole boasts flavor and creaminess over a bed of steaming egg noodles. This is a perfect hearty weeknight meal to put on the table.
    • Instant Pot White Turkey Chili is packed with turkey meat, white beans and veggies, this comfort food is super flavorful and delicious.
    • Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole is a delicious combination of the tastiest flavors you will ever eat in a single bite.
    • Best Baked Ziti is packed with flavorful meat sauce and layers of cheesy goodness, you will enjoy each flavorful bite. This delicious dinner feeds a lot of people and is super filling and hearty.
    • Best Instant Pot Chili is the absolute perfect comfort food, packed with flavor, texture, color and a tiny bit of spice. Perfect dinner or party food!
    Fork sticking in to take a bite of meatloaf made with crackers.

    Recipe Notes

    • Be absolutely sure that you place the pan of meatloaf on a rimmed baking sheet before you put it in the oven. At times this recipe can bubble over and I really don’t want to be the reason your oven caught on fire.
    • To save yourself from having to clean an extra dish, place parchment paper on top of the baking sheet.
    • Be careful not to over mix! Mix until all ingredients are just combined. Over-mixing can create a different, denser texture.
    • To avoid an extra greasy meatloaf, use a leaner meat like ground turkey or even venison! Beef meatloaf is incredible, but I promise the flavor is still super amazing no matter which type of meat you use in the recipe.
    • Let the meatloaf rest for AT LEAST 15 minutes after it comes out of the oven. If you slice into it too soon, it will fall apart. Heed this important warning!
    • The apricot preserves in the sauce MAKES this recipe, but if you don’t have it on hand grape or cherry jelly or jam are great replacements!
    • The most accurate way to determine if chicken is done cooking is by using a Thermapen. (<—-affiliate link) Insert the thermometer into the center of the loaf to get a good reading.

    FAQ About Meatloaf

    Why does my meatloaf fall apart?

    Letting it sit for at least 15 minutes after pulling it out of the oven is a vital step if you wish to keep your meal intact. The egg and crackers will work their magic and hold the meatloaf together, but it may fall apart if you slice too soon.

    Meatloaf cook time?

    If you are wondering about cooking times for cooking meatloaf all the way through, it takes an entire hour and a half. Make sure to place the pan on a rimmed baking sheet before putting it into the oven!

    What should meatloaf internal temp be?

    To ensure your meatloaf is fully cooked, stick a meat thermometer into the center. You will want to achieve an internal temperature of 160 degrees F.

    What meat is best for meatloaf?

    Meatloaf turns out great when any variety of ground meat is used. Keep in mind that the fattier the meat (beef or sausage), the more grease will hang out in the bottom of the pan. Leaner meats such as ground turkey or even venison still produce a delicious end result!

    Why put crackers in meatloaf?

    The purpose of adding crackers to meatloaf is to help the mixture stick together (along with eggs!). They also add flavor to the final dish. Just be sure not to add too many cracker crumbs or the opposite problem can happen: your meatloaf may fall apart.

    Can I use crackers instead of breadcrumbs for meatloaf?

    You can use equal parts cracker crumbs to replace breadcrumbs in just about any meatloaf recipe. Be sure the cracker crumbs are finely ground or the meatloaf may have issues with falling apart.

    What People Are Saying About This Recipe

    “Been using this recipe for years, we love it so much!! my husband was never a huge fan of meatloaf until I tried this recipe, now he asks for it regularly 🙂 thank you for sharing it, makes me feel like a rock star every time! “ ~Felicia

    “Our whole family absolutely LOVES this meatloaf. I never cared for meatloaf until this recipe. Turns out great every time!! I make it exactly as directed, it is fabulous. We love the sauce so much that I sometimes make just the sauce and serve it with hamburger steak. ? “ ~Patricia

    “This is by far the best meatloaf I’ve ever eaten/made. Everyone that has eaten it has loved it. I once put mine in muffin tins and swirled garlic mashed potatoes on top for a meatloaf cup cake. Soooooo yum!!! “ ~Ashley L.

    Meatloaf Recipe With Crackers

    This is the best meatloaf recipe with crackers you'll find and it is such an easy classic dish. It’ll quickly become a family favorite!
    4.98 from 125 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 30 minutes
    Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 590kcal
    Author: Megan Porta

    Ingredients

    • 2 lbs ground beef or ground turkey
    • 1 cup Ritz crackers crushed
    • 1 egg beaten
    • 1 cup milk
    • 1/2 cup ketchup
    • 1/3 cup onion finely chopped (or 1 Tbsp dried minced onion)
    • 1 tsp salt
    • 1/2 tsp pepper
    • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
    • 3/4 cup ketchup
    • 1/4 cup brown sugar
    • 1/4 cup apricot preserves
    • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 5×9 loaf pan with cooking spray and set aside. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, crackers, egg, milk, 1/2 cup ketchup, onion, salt, pepper and garlic powder. Mix together with your hands until thoroughly combined.
    • Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Place the pan on a rimmed baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 1 1/2 hours.
    • In a small bowl, combine ¾ cup ketchup, brown sugar, apricot preserves and Worcestershire sauce. Mix well. Spread half of the mixture evenly over the meatloaf halfway through baking. Reserve the remainder of the sauce for dipping/topping. Let meatloaf sit for 15 minutes before slicing and serving.

    Notes

    • Be absolutely sure that you place the pan of meatloaf on a rimmed baking sheet before you put it in the oven. At times this recipe can bubble over and I really don’t want to be the reason your oven caught on fire.
    • To save yourself from having to clean an extra dish, place parchment paper on top of the baking sheet.
    • Be careful not to over mix! Mix until all ingredients are just combined. Over-mixing can create a different, denser texture.
    • To avoid an extra greasy meatloaf, use a leaner meat like ground turkey or even venison! Beef meatloaf is incredible, but I promise the flavor is still super amazing no matter which type of meat you use in the recipe.
    • Let the meatloaf rest for AT LEAST 15 minutes after it comes out of the oven. If you slice into it too soon, it will fall apart. Heed this important warning!
    • The apricot preserves in the sauce MAKES this recipe, but if you don’t have it on hand grape or cherry jelly or jam are great replacements!
    • The most accurate way to determine if the ground beef is done cooking is by using a Thermapen. (<—-affiliate link) Insert the thermometer into the center of the loaf to get a good reading.
    • You can freeze your loaf. If you are cooking it, allow it to cool completely. Then double pack it in a ziplock or air tight container and it can be enjoyed within 2-3 months.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 590kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 139mg | Sodium: 1093mg | Potassium: 697mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 28g | Vitamin A: 382IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 115mg | Iron: 4mg
    Did you make this recipe?If you loved this recipe, please rate the recipe and leave a comment below!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Julia

      June 22, 2022 at 3:54 am

      If I am cooking only 1 lb of meat, how long do I cook it for?

      Reply
      • Megan Porta

        June 27, 2022 at 10:22 am

        Hi Julie, I haven’t made this with a pound less of meat to be honest. I would start at about 45 minutes and watch it from there. Thanks for asking!

        Reply
    2. Carolyn

      June 13, 2022 at 5:53 am

      5 stars
      Great recipe! The apricot does make it special. I have been making this recipe for several years now, and the only thing I do differently is add cheddar cheese. (Shredded on top before the sauce is later added OR chunks of cheese in the meat itself. Yum!)

      Reply
      • Megan Porta

        June 13, 2022 at 10:39 pm

        Thank you Carolyn for sharing that! Sounds like a great way to make it.

        Reply
    3. Kelley Wickenhauser

      May 25, 2022 at 3:47 am

      5 stars
      Absolutely one of my family’s favorites!! I use 1lb of ground beef and 1lb of sausage, split into 2 loaves and shorten cooking time.
      I also use Black Raspberry jam. Sooooo yummy!
      Thank you!

      Reply
      • Megan Porta

        June 02, 2022 at 1:45 am

        Great tip! Thank you for sharing that Kelley!

        Reply
        • Alecia

          June 10, 2022 at 2:29 am

          5 stars
          The best meatloaf ever. My family begs for this and family always asks for it. So good! We use half beef and half pork. So good!

          Reply
          • Megan Porta

            June 10, 2022 at 5:00 am

            Yay! Loving that you love it like we do! Thanks for sharing Alecia.

            Reply
    4. Kelley

      May 25, 2022 at 3:27 am

      5 stars
      One of my family’s absolute FAVORITES!! I use 1lb of ground beef and 1lb of sausage, and I split into 2 loaves. Makes cooking faster, AND, I can give a loaf away!
      I also use Black Raspberry jam. YUMMMY!!
      Thank you so much!!

      Reply
    5. Cheryl Cantrell

      May 11, 2022 at 8:55 pm

      What can I put instead of the milk? I’m lactose intolerant and I’m sure almond milk would be nasty in there.

      Reply
      • Megan Porta

        May 13, 2022 at 8:05 pm

        Hi Cheryl, you could use broth in this case!

        Reply
    6. Ashley Perez

      April 24, 2022 at 6:26 am

      5 stars
      My children and I absolutely love this recipe this is my 3rd time making it and of course before I add the sauce at the halfway mark I drain off all of the grease and it makes it even better! Other than that I wouldn’t change a thing!! Coming from a girl from somerset KY where we love our southern cooking that is saying something!!

      Reply
      • Megan Porta

        April 25, 2022 at 7:37 pm

        Thank you for sharing Ashley, so glad you perfected it!

        Reply
    7. Nancy

      April 23, 2022 at 5:44 am

      5 stars
      This is my favorite meatloaf recipe! My family absolutely loves it, and the leftovers (I usually make 2) make a great sandwich!

      Reply
      • Megan Porta

        April 25, 2022 at 7:38 pm

        The sandwiches! If you have leftovers… nothing like hoping you do! Thank you for sharing Nancy.

        Reply
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