Meatloaf with Ritz Crackers and Cheddar Cheese is a delightful twist on the classic comfort food. This hearty dish combines ground meat, crushed Ritz crackers, and melted cheddar cheese to create a flavorful and cheesy meatloaf that’s sure to become a family favorite.
To make this savory delight, you’ll need a handful of essential ingredients. Ground meat, typically a mixture of beef and pork, forms the base of the meatloaf. Ritz crackers, when crushed, serve as a binding agent and add a pleasant buttery flavor. Cheddar cheese, shredded and melted into the mixture, infuses the meatloaf with a rich and cheesy goodness. The preparation process is simple and satisfying. You’ll begin by crushing the Ritz crackers into fine crumbs. These crumbs are then combined with the ground meat, along with spices and seasonings like salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mixing the meat and crackers thoroughly ensures that the flavors are well-distributed.
Next, you’ll incorporate the shredded cheddar cheese into the meat mixture, further enhancing the savory and cheesy profile of the meatloaf. The cheese adds a delightful gooeyness that’s sure to please your taste buds.
The mixture is then shaped into a loaf and placed in a baking dish. It’s baked to perfection, allowing the flavors to meld together and the meat to cook through. As it bakes, the cheddar cheese melts, creating a deliciously cheesy and golden-brown crust. Once your Meatloaf with Ritz Crackers and Cheddar Cheese is done baking, you can slice it into hearty portions, revealing the cheesy goodness within.
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs. lean ground beef (80/20 is best for juicy meatloaf)
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 1/2 cup bell pepper, finely diced (optional)
- 1 1/2 sleeves of Ritz crackers (48 crackers total), finely crushed
- 4 oz. shredded cheese, sharp cheddar or Colby cheese
- 3 eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
The Glaze:
- 1/2 to 3/4 cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp mustard
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- In a small bowl, combine the ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the eggs, crushed Ritz crackers, cheese, milk, onion, bell pepper, salt, and black pepper. Mix well.
- Add in the ground beef and mix just enough to combine. Do not overmix.
- Form the mixture into a loaf shape and place it inside a baking pan or on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and spread the glaze over the meatloaf.
- Return to the oven and bake for an additional 30 to 40 minutes or until the temperature in the center reaches 160°F.
- Remove from the oven and let it rest for 15 minutes before serving.
Enjoy your delicious homemade meatloaf!