By: Jill Mills Updated: Apr 1, 2026

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Shredded cheddar, sauteed onions and bell peppers, and Ritz cracker crumbs make this Copycat Cracker Barrel Meatloaf recipe extra moist and flavorful. It’s topped with a simple 3 ingredient glaze that’s both sweet and tangy. Serve with mashed potatoes and sauteed veggies for a simple comfort food dinner any night of the week.

Cracker Barrel Meatloaf slices on top of mashed potatoes with a fork

We don’t eat at Cracker Barrel a ton, but there are a few popular dishes that we love enough to create at home, like lima beans and this meatloaf.

Cracker Barrel meatloaf is a spin off traditional meatloaf with cheese and sauteed veggies mixed into the meat. It also uses Ritz crackers instead of breadcrumbs and the ketchup glaze is made with mustard instead of just ketchup and brown sugar. Unlike stuffed meatloaf, the cheese is evenly distributed throughout, which adds a bit of cheesy texture and sharp cheddar flavor in every bite. The additions are simple, yet they make such a difference in flavor and texture. Even those who don’t typically love meatloaf usually enjoy this copycat Cracker Barrel meatloaf.

What Makes Cracker Barrel Meatloaf So Good

Cheese! One of the things that sets Cracker Barrel meatloaf part from your average everyday meatloaf is the addition of sharp cheddar cheese throughout. Not only does it add a sharp flavor, but the cheesy texture makes the center feel even more moist.
The best glaze ever. Cracker Barrel takes the standard ketchup and brown sugar glaze and adds mustard as the third ingredient. The sharp mustard flavor really elevates the flavor of the classic glaze.
Perfect texture. The meat itself stays perfectly moist, while the buttery Ritz crackers, sauteed veggies, and cheese add layers of texture that aren’t typically found in meatloaf. It’s one of the things that makes Cracker Barrel meatloaf appeal to those who don’t typically love the texture of meatloaf.

Overhead view of the ingredients needed to make Cracker Barrel meatloaf

Recipe Ingredients

Let’s take a look at everything needed to make this copycat meatloaf recipe. Be sure to scroll down to the recipe card below for the exact measurements.

Butter – For sauteing the veggies.
Onion & bell pepper – Finely chopped onion and green bell pepper add flavor and texture to the ground beef mixture.
Ground beef – I recommend an 80% lean ground beef. That leaves enough fat to keep the meatloaf moist without creating excess grease.
Ritz cracker crumbs – I crushed about a sleeve of crackers to get the crumbs for the recipe. They don’t need to be super finely crushed.
Eggs – Bind all of the ingredients together.
Cheddar cheese – Sharp cheddar adds great flavor, but you can substitute with mild cheddar, Colby Jack, or Monterey Jack if preferred.
Whole milk – Adds moisture to the meatloaf.
Salt & pepper
Ketchup – The base of the glaze.
Brown sugar – Sweetens the glaze and helps balance the acidity.
Yellow mustard – Adds another layer of depth to the flavor of the glaze.

How To Make Cracker Barrel Meatloaf

One of the great things about meatloaf is that it takes minimal time and effort to prepare. The printable instructions are in the recipe card below.

Sauteeing green peppers and onions in a skillet

Ground beef, cheese, Ritz cracker crumbs, sauteed veggies, and egg in a bowl

Prep. Preheat the oven to 350F. Grease the loaf pan.
Cook the veggies. Melt the butter over medium heat. Saute the onion and green pepper for 3-4 minutes, until softened. Let cool slightly.
Make the meat mixture. Combine the ground beef, crushed crackers, eggs, cheese, milk, spices, and sauteed veggies in a bowl. Mix gently with your hands until just combined.

Shape the loaf. Transfer the meat mixture to the prepared loaf pan. Press down gently to form an even loaf.
Add the glaze. Whisk the ketchup, sugar, and mustard together. Spread half on top of the meatloaf.
Bake. Bake for 45 minutes. Spread the remaining glaze on top and bake for an additional 15 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 160F.
Enjoy. Let the meatloaf rest in the pan for 10 minutes then slice and serve.

Recipe Tips & Variations

Here are some things to keep in mind when making this copycat Cracker Barrel meatloaf recipe for the first time.

Don’t overmix. Combine the meatloaf ingredients with your hands or a wooden spoon just until everything is evenly combined. Overmixing can lead to dense meatloaf.
Make the glaze tangy. For a tangier glaze, add a splash of Worcestershire sauce or apple cider vinegar to the ketchup mixture.
Substitute the crackers. If you don’t have Ritz crackers, you can use crushed saltine crackers or plain breadcrumbs as a substitute.
How do I know when the meatloaf is done? The easiest way to confirm the meatloaf is done is to use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should reach 160F.
Rest before slicing. To ensure juicy, moist meatloaf, be sure to let it rest in the pan for 10 minutes before slicing. This gives the cheese a chance to solidify and lets the juices distribute throughout the meat.
Make ahead. You can prepare the meatloaf mixture and glaze up to a day in advance. Store them separately in the refrigerator, then assemble and bake when ready.

Serving Suggestions

I like to keep things simple and classic when serving this Cracker Barrel meatloaf. My go-to sides are some creamy mashed potatoes and sauteed green beans. A slice of cornbread is another favorite. Baked mac and cheese would also be great.

A slice of Cracker Barrel meatloaf over mashed potatoes on a plate

How To Store Leftovers