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.
Hi I do not have apricot perserves can I use regular jelly like strawberry, apple or grape or I also have orange marmalade would the marmalade be a ok substitute?
Hi Lindsay! YES! I’d say start with grape, but any jelly really would be fabulous. Let me know how it turns out!
Megan
Hiya!
I’ve made this recipe a couple of times now as it is very tasty and a perfect winter comfort food, but each time it seems to be waaaay too greasy. I’m talking a half inch of grease on the top of the meat. Is this normal? I use a 93% lean ground chuck, so I didn’t know what was going on. Usually I just spoon out the extra grease, but if it’s something I’m doing wrong, I’d love to know what. Again, one of the best meatloaf recipes I’ve tried, just trying to avoid the sea of grease.
Hello Megbot! We make this all the time with turkey and even ground venison. It will get a bit greasy with the non-lean beef. Try it with a leaner meat and I promise you will not be disappointed!
Megan
If you put slices of bread along the bottom of your pan (one layer) it will absorb the grease and peel off when you take out the finished loaf
What a great recommendation!! I’ll have to try this!
Megan
I just made this tonight! First, THANK YOU for sharing your mother’s recipe with us! I ate so much of it, I couldn’t move! My husband sighed when I told him I was making meatloaf–he’s never been a fan of it (no matter who made it). However, he loved this recipe! We all did! There was no need to add the extra sauce after adding it the first time. Absolutely wonderful! Thank you.
I made this meatloaf for the first time about two weeks ago and all I have to say is unbelievably amazing! I hate meatloaf in this recipe made me love it. I didn’t change anything in the meatloaf but the topping, I didn’t have any of the preserves or Worcestershire sauce, so I only put ketchup and brown sugar together and it tasted so good with that meet my mouth is watering right now just writing out this comment. Your mom’s recipe is the best I’ve ever had and I will continue to make this for the rest my life! Thanks for sharing it. Merry Christmas
This makes me so happy! SO GLAD you love it so much. We feel the same way about it here in our house! Merry Christmas!!
Megan
Your Mom hit a home run with this one ! This is my new Go Too Meatloaf and I had a pretty darn good recipe for years. Sometimes, change is yummy 😉
Rits×××××
I have her in the oven right now, can’t wait to see how she turns out. My wife is Italian so I hope this is one she likes, I used ground pork, and ground chicken. I would have used Italian sausage but didn’t have any in the house. I used club crackers instead of rites, love that buttery flavor. I also cooked my onions 1st in a little butter and bacon grease with a few bacon bits. 1 hours an 10 min to go…
I love this recipe. however I tweaked it to my liking. I used a variety of BBQ sauces instead. added 1 whole onion and a green bell peper. And for the topping i used a cranberry/strawberry/jalapeño jam that was canned by my best friend. i will tell ya that jam really set off the meat. I normally hate meat loaf but I made this and did mini loaf muffins and was blown away at how good it was!! Thanks 🙂
Hi Megan, I don’t have any apricot jam, Is it possible to substitute this sauce with prepared bbq sauce and still have it turn out delicious?
I would use another type of jam instead! Do you have anything else on hand? Otherwise, bbq sauce would be a great alternate, as well. Let me know how it turns out!
M
I love meatloaf of any kind but this is definitely my favorite! So moist and flavorful. Only problem is, we seldom gave left overs.
Which type of ground beef do you use ? 80/20?
Tooba: I’ve used all varieties of ground beef and even the leanest turns out great!
M
I’ve got a hubby that loves hot food, and I was thinking of adding jalapenos and bell peppers to this mix. Do you think the apricot preserves will still pair well with the spice of the peppers, or might anyone suggest another jam/jelly/preserve? TIA!
Try jalapeño or hot pepper jelly to pair with that, Colleen! Oh yum, that sounds good. I might just have to try it! Let me know how it turns out.
M
I’ve tried a dozen different recipes over 15 years of marriage. Most were okay, but none were amazing.
This is amazing. The meat and the sauce are equally delicious and together they are perfect! Yummmm! This is my new meatloaf recipe, truly the best meatloaf. Thanks for the recipe, I found it on Pinterest.
SO glad you love the recipe so much! Yay!
M
Made it tonight and it was fabulous. Added green pepper to the recipe and used my hot pepper jelly (I made myself from our garden peppers this year) for the sauce…..and it was a hit! Will definitely make again. 🙂
I have this meatloaf in the oven right now! So excited to try it! Instead of ritz crackers I crushed up a bag of garlic croutons. Hopefully it taste good. I also used Peach preserves and I will be adding bacon to the top when it’s half way cooked!
Okay, I made this! It’s amazing! Question (I am not good in the kitchen) do you think I could make the meat mix the night before? Then throw it in the oven when I get home from work?
Hi Katie! I’m so glad you enjoyed the meatloaf! YES….you could definitely prepare this the night before and throw it in the oven after work. Keep the sauce separate from the meat until it’s ready to cook. Thanks for the comment!
M
Good to know! I will definitely be making this again! My husband and I almost ate the whole pan!
WOWZA – an hour and a half? Is there any way to shorten that for those of us who don’t even get home from work until 5pm?
You have turned my whole family into meatloaf lovers! Delicious!!
This was delicious! I halved the recipe but used the full amount of Ritz crackers and full amount of sauce. I also used blackberry preserves because that’s what I had on hand. I was short on time so I cooked it in a large muffin tin (6 total) for about 40 minutes and just put all the sauce on at the beginning and it was perfect. Thanks for the great recipe!
After you put the topping on how long do you put it back in the oven for?!!?
Hi Morgan! You can put the topping on halfway through baking, so 45 minutes in. I hope this helps!
M