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!
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.
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.
Popular Pip and Ebby Recipes
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!
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
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
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
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.
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.
This is my go to meatloaf every time.
Love it! Thank you so much for sharing, Kimberly.
Bake it covered or uncovered?
Hi Debra, bake it uncovered!
This is the only meatloaf my family eats, been eating this recipe for years.
I’m so thankful you’re here Stephanie. Thank you for sharing that!
Bake on broiler pan with bottom tray lined with foil (easy cleanup)
Love this recipe too. I put the sauce on When I put it in. I’m afraid I haven’t put any thing but brown sugar and ketchup on, was a little afraid of the jam and worsteshire I’ll maybe try it next time. Just put one in the oven
Nancy, you should definitely try it! It’s not super strong, jut more flavor. Thanks for sharing!
I’ve made this so many times in the oven. It’s awesome! Making on the smoker tonight. Should I cover w tin foil? Thanks so much
Haley, that sounds delicious! I have not tried this in a smoker but it sounds amazing. I would start with it covered and then take it off near the end. Let me know how it turns out!
Can I use raspberry jam instead of apricot
yes! Lots of people have made this with whatever flavor preserves they have on hand – grape, orange, apple. It’ll still be great!
I LOVE this recipe! So does the entire family! If I freeze it and then reheat it, do you know how long I should reheat it for and at what temperature, assuming I let it thaw completely before reheating?
Good question Mary! I would preheat your oven to 350 and check it at 15-20 min if it’s thawed, especially if you presliced. Or don’t forget, these make great leftover sandwiches! https://pipandebby.com/pip-ebby/leftover-meatloaf-sandwich/
Suggestions on cook time for two loafs in the oven at once? This is our fav meatloaf recipe & I would like to make it for dinner when we have guests over.
Hi Tammy, I haven’t tested this and I know it can alter how quickly something bakes. I would allow it to cook longer, give it an extra 10-15 min and keep an eye on it.
The BEST meatloaf I’ve ever had. So easy and so delicious. Always get so many compliments on this recipe.
I did have to drain some of the grease out of the pan about half way through.
Thank you for sharing that Amber!
I tried my hardest, but messed up! I swear there was more grease than there was meat. What did I do wrong? I used lean ground beef.
Hi Lacey, I’m sorry you feel you messed up. First, there’s always some grease. There’s a lot of factors in cooking. The size of your pan and the ingredients in it could affect it. Some people find that their meat seems extra greasy and drain it off part way through cooking. Others when adding the ingredients aren’t precise in measuring so the ketchup or milk gets a little extra. Try it again and just give yourself some grace. It’s a delicious meal, even the next day as it makes such good leftover meatloaf grilled cheese sandwiches!
Hi Lacey, I’ve been making this revipe for a long time as it’s everyone’s favorite meatloaf. I usually always buy 90/10 hamburger, and there is still grease & liquid. Midpoint I always use my drainer to suck almost all the liquid from around the sides. Then I add the apricot mixture all over top & throw back in for another 45. When it’s done, I take it out & let it sit. This part is important because as it cools, it firms up a little. Delicious every time! Making it tonite as a matter of fact!❤️
Thank you Michelle for that guidance on how you prepare the meatloaf!
I won’t use a loaf pan ever again. I make footballs on a baking sheet. Topping sometimes cooks away but it allows me to make one with green peppers for me and one without for the kids with the same amount of dishes.
That’s a fun suggestion, Jen. Love that idea!
Can I cook this in my crockpot
Hi Jennifer! This is a great idea! I haven’t done it however, so I don’t have instructions to ensure cooked meat and a delicious outcome.
Yummy, best meatloaf ever. Am making this each time. Thank you !
So glad to hear it! Thanks for sharing.
If I am cooking only 1 lb of meat, how long do I cook it for?
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!
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!)
Thank you Carolyn for sharing that! Sounds like a great way to make it.
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!
Great tip! Thank you for sharing that Kelley!
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!
Yay! Loving that you love it like we do! Thanks for sharing Alecia.
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!!
What can I put instead of the milk? I’m lactose intolerant and I’m sure almond milk would be nasty in there.
Hi Cheryl, you could use broth in this case!
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!!
Thank you for sharing Ashley, so glad you perfected it!
This is my favorite meatloaf recipe! My family absolutely loves it, and the leftovers (I usually make 2) make a great sandwich!
The sandwiches! If you have leftovers… nothing like hoping you do! Thank you for sharing Nancy.