Ultimate Southern Style Ritz Cracker Meatloaf w/ Video
This ultimate southern style Ritz cracker meatloaf is tender, juicy, and packed with flavor, featuring bell peppers, onions, and a sweet chili glaze.
Equipment
- medium skillet
- baking sheet
- Meat thermometer
Ingredients
- 1.5 tablespoon unsalted butter or vegetable oil
- 0.5 cup red bell pepper
- 0.5 cup green bell pepper
- 1 cup yellow onions diced
- 1 cup crushed ritz crackers
- 0.75 cup milk
- 2 lb ground beef Use 80-85% Fat
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 eggs
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon onion powder see notes*
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder see notes*
- 1.5 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1.5 teaspoon slightly dried basil
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1.5 teaspoon pepper for taste
Sweet Chili Glaze
- 0.75 cup ketchup
- 0.75 cup sweet chili sauce
- 0.25 cup brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Cover baking sheet with heavy-duty aluminum foil.
- Add the vegetable oil to a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the bell peppers and onions. Sauté until translucent.
- Add garlic at this point or add it directly to the meatloaf. If adding it to the sautéed vegetable then cook until fragrant (about 30 seconds). Remove the onions and pepper mixture from the heat to cool off.
- To a small bowl add the Ritz crackers. Pour milk into the bowl with the crackers. Mix to combine. Set to the side for 5 minutes or until the mixture has thickened.
- To another small bowl add the sweet chili sauce, ketchup, and brown sugar. Mix well. Reserve for later.
- To a large bowl, add the ground beef, Ritz cracker mixture, sautéed vegetables, garlic, eggs, Worcestershire sauce, dijon mustard, parsley, basil, thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Use your hand to gently mix the beef into the other ingredients. Do not overmix. You need to mix just until combined. Shape meat mixture into a loaf.
- Spread half of the glaze on top of the meatloaf.
- Wrap foil around the meatloaf.
- Bake for 30 minutes. Add the remaining chili sauce on top of the meatloaf. Continue baking for an additional 30 minutes or until the temperature reads 165 degrees Fahrenheit on a meat thermometer.
Notes
Rest the meatloaf for about 10 minutes before you slice it. Store leftovers in airtight containers for 3-4 days. For freezing, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil, place in a bag, label and date it. Will last up to 3 months.
Nutrition
Serving: 1sliceCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 23gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 124mgSodium: 1030mgPotassium: 576mgFiber: 2gSugar: 26gVitamin A: 575IUVitamin C: 24mgCalcium: 90mgIron: 3mg
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