Easy Copycat Cracker Barrel Meatloaf Recipe

Hey there, home chef! Craving a taste of Southern comfort that'll transport you straight to Cracker Barrel's cozy dining room? You're in luck. This copycat meatloaf recipe isn't just another dinner—it's a nostalgic journey wrapped in savory ground beef and tangy ketchup glaze. With just a few simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you'll create a hearty meal that'll have your family asking for seconds. Want to know how to nail this classic comfort food? Let's break it down.

Recipe Highlights

• Combine 2 pounds of 80/20 ground beef with breadcrumbs, eggs, onion soup mix, and ketchup to create an authentic Cracker Barrel-style meatloaf base.
• Shape the meat mixture into a uniform loaf, ensuring even distribution of ingredients and avoiding over-compression for the best texture.
• Glaze the meatloaf with ketchup before baking at 350°F, cooking until the internal temperature reaches 160°F for safe and flavorful results.
• Allow the meatloaf to rest after baking for 10-15 minutes, which helps retain moisture and enhances the overall flavor and dining experience.
• Serve the meatloaf with classic Southern sides like mashed potatoes or green beans, creating a nostalgic and comforting meal reminiscent of home-style cooking.

History

While meatloaf has been a staple of American home cooking for generations, the Cracker Barrel version has a uniquely compelling origin story. You'll find that this dish emerged from traditional Southern comfort food traditions, where home cooks transformed affordable ingredients into hearty meals.

The restaurant itself, founded in 1969 in Lebanon, Tennessee, built its reputation on recreating nostalgic home-style cooking that reminded diners of their grandmother's kitchen.

The meatloaf's development reflects a classic American culinary narrative:

• Rooted in rural cooking techniques
• Designed for affordability
• Prioritizing flavor and simplicity
• Celebrating regional ingredient availability

You'll appreciate how this recipe represents more than just a meal—it's a cultural touchstone that connects generations through shared culinary memories and traditional preparation methods.

Recipe

Southern comfort food reaches its pinnacle with this classic meatloaf recipe that captures the hearty essence of home cooking. The blend of ground beef, breadcrumbs, and seasonings creates a dish that's both familiar and deeply satisfying, bringing the warmth of a traditional family meal to your dinner table.

This recipe transforms simple ingredients into a memorable main course that's sure to become a family favorite. The combination of ground beef, eggs, and ketchup ensures a moist and flavorful meatloaf that rivals the beloved restaurant version.

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds ground beef (80/20)
• 1 cup plain breadcrumbs
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup ketchup
• 1 packet onion soup mix

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, 3/4 cup of ketchup, and onion soup mix.

Mix the ingredients thoroughly, being careful not to overmix, which can result in a tough texture. Transfer the mixture to a 9×5 inch loaf pan, shaping it into a uniform loaf.

Spread the remaining 1/4 cup of ketchup evenly across the top of the meatloaf. Bake for 1 hour, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C). Use a meat thermometer to ensure proper doneness and food safety.

For the best dining experience, allow the meatloaf to rest for 10 minutes after removing it from the oven. This resting period helps the juices redistribute, ensuring each slice is moist and tender.

If the mixture seems too dry during preparation, add a tablespoon of milk, and if too wet, incorporate additional breadcrumbs to achieve the perfect consistency.

Cooking Steps

You'll start by mixing your ground beef with breadcrumbs, eggs, most of the ketchup, and onion soup mix in a large bowl, ensuring all ingredients are thoroughly combined.

Shape the mixture into a classic loaf form, carefully placing it in your 9×5 inch pan and spreading the reserved ketchup evenly across the top for that signature glaze.

Bake the meatloaf at 350°F, watching for a golden-brown exterior and checking that the internal temperature reaches a safe 160°F before removing it from the oven.

Step 1. Combine Ground Beef Ingredients

Typically, creating the perfect meatloaf starts with mixing your ground beef ingredients in a spacious mixing bowl.

You'll want to grab your 80/20 ground beef and carefully measure each ingredient for maximum flavor consistency. Begin by cracking two large eggs and whisking them slightly before adding them to the meat. Pour in the breadcrumbs and onion soup mix, ensuring even distribution throughout the mixture.

Use your hands or a sturdy wooden spoon to combine ingredients thoroughly, but don't overmix. Aim for a uniform texture where ingredients are just blended, avoiding compacting the meat too densely.

Gently fold in most of the ketchup, reserving 1/4 cup for the topping. The mixture should hold together without being too wet or too dry.

Step 2. Shape Mixture Into Loaf

After thoroughly mixing your ingredients, transfer the ground beef mixture to a clean work surface.

Gently shape the meat into a uniform loaf, ensuring the width matches your 9×5 inch loaf pan. Use light, even pressure to compact the mixture, avoiding aggressive compression that'll make the meatloaf dense and tough.

Aim for a smooth, rounded top with slightly rounded edges that'll help prevent cracking during baking. Center the shaped loaf in the prepared pan, allowing a small margin around the sides for even heat circulation.

Create a slight depression in the center's surface, which helps prevent the meatloaf from developing a rounded, domed top during cooking. Pat the loaf gently to ensure consistent thickness and a professional presentation.

Step 3. Spread Ketchup on Top

Carefully spoon the reserved 1/4 cup of ketchup directly onto the shaped meatloaf, using the back of a spoon or a silicone spatula to create an even, glossy layer across the entire surface.

You'll want to ensure complete coverage, which helps lock in moisture and creates a tangy, caramelized glaze during baking.

Key techniques for perfect ketchup application:

• Spread ketchup edge-to-edge
• Keep layer approximately 1/8-inch thick
• Use gentle, smooth strokes

The ketchup serves multiple purposes: it adds flavor, prevents surface drying, and creates an appetizing reddish-brown finish.

When you've finished spreading, your meatloaf should look uniformly coated, with no bare spots visible.

This final touch transforms a simple meat mixture into a restaurant-worthy dish that'll have everyone asking for seconds.

Step 4. Bake Until Golden Brown

When your meatloaf is shaped and ketchup-glazed, slide the pan into a preheated 350°F oven, where transformative culinary magic will turn your raw mixture into a golden-brown comfort food masterpiece.

Watch for visual cues during baking: the edges will start to brown and pull slightly away from the pan's sides, signaling progress. You'll want to use a meat thermometer to confirm doneness, aiming for an internal temperature of 160°F. This ensures food safety while maintaining the meatloaf's juicy interior.

Around 50-60 minutes, check for:

• Deep mahogany color on top
• Firm, not wobbling texture
• Clear juices surrounding the loaf
• Crisp exterior with slight caramelization

Let the meatloaf rest 10 minutes after removing from the oven, allowing internal juices to redistribute and ensuring clean, precise slices.

Step 5. Let Rest Before Serving

Though your meatloaf looks temptingly golden and fragrant straight from the oven, you'll want to resist the immediate urge to slice into it. Allowing the meatloaf to rest for 10 minutes is crucial for optimal texture and serving:

• Resting helps redistribute internal juices
• Prevents crumbling when cutting
• Stabilizes the meatloaf's structural integrity

During this brief waiting period, cover the pan loosely with aluminum foil to retain heat.

The resting phase allows protein fibers to relax, ensuring each slice remains moist and holds together perfectly. Use this time to prepare side dishes or set the table.

When the 10 minutes have passed, you'll notice the meatloaf has settled and will cut more cleanly.

A sharp chef's knife will help you create beautiful, intact slices that showcase your culinary handiwork.

Final Thoughts

While many home cooks search for the perfect meatloaf recipe, this Copycat Cracker Barrel Meatloaf delivers restaurant-quality comfort food right to your dinner table.

You'll find this recipe is more than just another weeknight meal—it's a nostalgic journey through classic Southern cooking. The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity and authentic flavors that remind you of home-cooked meals from childhood.

Whether you're feeding a family or hosting friends, this meatloaf won't disappoint. Remember to use the 80/20 ground beef for optimal moisture and flavor, and don't skip the crucial resting period after baking.

The ketchup glaze adds a tangy finish that elevates the entire dish. With minimal prep and straightforward instructions, you'll master this restaurant-inspired recipe in no time, impressing everyone at your table.