This meatloaf recipe with crackers comes from my mom, who was truly the best home cook I’ve ever known. I grew up eating her meatloaf and still make it regularly because it delivers the same moist, tender result every time.
The Ritz crackers replace traditional breadcrumbs, helping bind the meat while contributing buttery flavor and keeping the loaf juicy. Finish it with the simple sweet and savory sauce, then serve it with mashed potatoes or these [slow cooker vegetables] for a complete comfort-food dinner.
Pair the meatloaf with these vegetables in the Crock Pot for an easy side dish that cooks while the meatloaf bakes without requiring additional oven space.
Why This Recipe Works
I know meatloaf can be a hard sell for some people but trust me on this one. This recipe has converted plenty of meatloaf skeptics into full-blown lovers.
A few years ago, I dug up my mom’s handwritten recipe from childhood and used it as the foundation for this version. Her meatloaf was unforgettable and this recipe honors everything I loved about it growing up, with the addition of an irresistible sweet and savory glaze.
Here is why people love it:
- Moist, juicy and packed with flavor
- Made with simple ingredients and minimal prep
- Ritz crackers create the best texture and flavor
- The glaze takes it completely over the top
- Even meatloaf skeptics end up loving it
Over the years, I’ve received countless messages from readers saying this has become their go-to meatloaf recipe.
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.
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.
Mix everything together with your hands until it is thoroughly combined.
Step 2
Pour the meat mixture into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
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.
Mix well. Spread half of the mixture evenly over the meatloaf halfway through baking.
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!). Easy sweet potato fries, a pile of hot mashed potatoes or a tangy side of sauerkraut 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!
Substitute for Apricot Preserves
Read on for some great ideas about what to substitute for apricot preserves if you need a replacement for this ingredient.
How Long Does Meatloaf Last In The Fridge
How long does meatloaf last in the fridge? If you have leftovers and you’re not sure whether to throw, refrigerate or freeze, read on!
What To Do With Meatloaf 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!
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 any meat is done cooking is by using a Thermapen. (<—-affiliate link) Insert the thermometer into the center of the loaf to get a good reading. For this recipe I recommend achieving a temperature of 160°F.
FAQ About Meatloaf
Why does my meatloaf fall apart?
Meatloaf may fall apart if the ingredient ratios are off, the crackers are not finely crushed or the loaf is sliced too soon. Let it rest for at least 15 minutes after baking so the juices redistribute and the loaf firms up before slicing.
How long does meatloaf take to cook?
This meatloaf takes approximately 1 hour 30 minutes to bake. Because ovens and loaf thicknesses vary, use the time as a guide and rely on the internal temperature to determine when it is done.
What internal temperature should meatloaf reach?
Ground-beef meatloaf should reach 160°F in the center. Insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part without touching the pan. The USDA confirms 160°F as the safe minimum temperature for ground beef and meatloaf. USDA food-safety guidance
Why put Ritz crackers in meatloaf?
Finely crushed Ritz crackers replace traditional breadcrumbs. Along with the egg, they help bind the meat mixture while absorbing juices and contributing a subtle buttery flavor.
Can I substitute crackers for breadcrumbs in meatloaf?
Yes. Finely crushed crackers can generally replace dry breadcrumbs in equal amounts. Avoid adding extra crumbs because too much dry filler can produce a crumbly or dry meatloaf.
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
Ingredients
Sauce
- 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 uncovered in the preheated oven for 1 1/2 hours.
Sauce
- 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.
Video
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 will want to reach 160°F.
- 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
Megan Porta is a comfort food recipe creator who specializes in easy family meals and Instant Pot desserts, and the founder of Pip and Ebby. She has been cooking for three decades and developing recipes for over fifteen years, helping home cooks make reliable, cozy recipes for real life.
Tried this as my first meatloaf recipe. I have to say, it was delicious! That sauce was fantastic. A definite keeper.
I love meatloaf! My family likes to play around with the recipes so we love the idea of apricots! I wrote a recipe blog post for my family’s favorite one- Green Meatloaf! I know it sounds weird, but you should check it out. http://www.mathmomwithablog.com/yummy-green-meatloaf/ If you make it, let me know how you liked it!
This is an excellent meatloaf recipe! I made it tonight, and it turned out perfectly. For my liking, I may reconsider adding in the apricot preserves next time. It really gives the topping a tangy, sweet taste, and I prefer a more savory tomato topping. However, if you like the sound of the sweetness, try it out with the apricot preserves. Thank you for the recipe Megan! This one is going in my recipe box to make again soon!
Hi JGINSBERG! Maybe just reduce the crackers and milk to 3/4 cup or so with the 1.5 pounds. Let me know how it turns out!
Megan
I only have 1.5 pounds of beef. Need to alter ingredients. Any one do this and know exact measurements?
Made this tonight and it was amazing!! Replacing my meatloaf recipe with this one!!
Yayyy Brittany! I am SO GLAD you and your hubby loved it!!
Megan
I have never made meatloaf before and my husband mentioned the other day that meatloaf sounded really good. So I went on the quest to find a simple meatloaf recipe that I thought I could tackle. Found this recipe and made it yesterday! It was the best meatloaf my husband and I have ever had. My husband couldn't stop talking about how delicious it was and he's not one to usually get that excited about something!
This meatloaf is amazing. It is my new favorite recipe. Have eaten it for 3 straight meals. I added 1 TBSP of Worcestershire to the meatloaf mixture. I also did not have any apricot preserves so I made a topping of 1/3 c ketchup, 2 Tbsp brown sugar, and 1 Tbsp mustard. I put it on top before putting in the oven. The topping does not make a lot so may want to double to have extra for dipping.
Tried this recipe last night, it was delicious! Definetley a keeper(:
Can u cook this is the crockpot?
I have been making this meatloaf for a year and everyone loves it. There is no other recipe that compares.
Made this and from now on this will be my recipe for meatloaf from now on.
This was really good. My hubs had 3 helpings. This is my new meatloaf recipe. Thanks!
I have been trying all sorts of meatloaf recipes in search of the perfect one. And I have finally found it! Your "Best Ever Meatloaf" is it! I ran out of worcestershire sauce, so I substituted balsamic vinegar. Perfection!!! Delicious!!! I love the fact that I usually have all the ingredients right in the cupboard. This is my keeper!
Have searched for years for a good meatloaf recipe that I like. This recipe was great!! Definitely a keeper.
This looks delicious! I've been on the hunt for a great meatloaf recipe. Thanks for sharing!
This sounds seriously epic. We're basically in hibernation mode here – most of the city has given up the fight against winter, and now we're all hiding under the covers until the thaw of spring. You know what might help? MEAT!
I never thought to put the apricot jam in ! Sounds like a nice touch to a classic !!
Yummy!!! All you need is some mac-n-cheese!