Description
Cracker Barrel meatloaf brings hearty comfort straight from Southern kitchens to dinner tables across America. Savory beef, perfectly seasoned and glazed, promises a nostalgic meal that warms hearts and satisfies hungry families with classic home-style goodness.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 1 lb ground pork
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
Binding and Moisture:
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp worcestershire sauce
Seasoning and Flavor:
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp dried thyme
Topping:
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp dijon mustard
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a large baking dish by lightly greasing it to prevent sticking.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, combine ground beef and ground pork, breaking up the meat with your hands to ensure even distribution.
- Crack eggs into the meat mixture, then add breadcrumbs to help bind the ingredients together.
- Pour in milk, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce, which will enhance moisture and add depth of flavor to the meatloaf.
- Finely dice the onion and mince the garlic, then incorporate them into the meat mixture along with salt, black pepper, and dried thyme.
- Gently mix all ingredients until just combined, being careful not to overwork the meat, which can make the meatloaf tough.
- Transfer the meat mixture to the prepared baking dish, shaping it into a uniform loaf with slightly rounded edges.
- In a small bowl, whisk together ketchup, brown sugar, and Dijon mustard to create a tangy, sweet glaze.
- Spread the glaze evenly over the top of the meatloaf, ensuring complete coverage for maximum flavor.
- Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
- Remove from the oven and let the meatloaf rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing, allowing juices to redistribute and making it easier to serve.
- Slice into thick portions and serve hot, accompanied by your favorite sides.
Notes
- Substitute ground pork with turkey or chicken for a leaner protein option that reduces overall fat content while maintaining delicious flavor profile.
- Add finely grated carrots or zucchini into meat mixture to boost vegetable intake and create extra moisture without changing primary taste.
- Gluten-sensitive individuals can replace traditional breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or crushed gluten-free crackers to maintain binding properties.
- Consider preparing meatloaf mixture ahead of time and refrigerating for several hours, which allows seasonings to deeply penetrate meat and intensify overall taste experience.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 412
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 685 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg