Ah yes! Meatloaf with Ritz crackers is a classic twist on traditional meatloaf. Instead of breadcrumbs or oats, crushed Ritz crackers are used as the binder, which adds a buttery, slightly salty flavor and a super tender texture. Here’s a solid recipe for it:
Ritz Cracker Meatloaf
Ingredients (serves 4–6):
- 1 ½ lbs (680 g) ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
- 1 cup crushed Ritz crackers (about 15–20 crackers)
- ½ cup milk
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp paprika (optional, for flavor/color)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional, for inside the meatloaf)
For the glaze:
- ½ cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp mustard
Instructions:
- Preheat oven: 350°F (175°C). Grease a loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
- Prepare Ritz crumbs:
- Crush the crackers (in a bag with a rolling pin or food processor).
- Mix with milk and let soak for 5 minutes until soft.
- Mix meatloaf ingredients:
- In a large bowl, combine ground meat, soaked Ritz crackers, chopped onion, garlic, egg, salt, pepper, and paprika.
- If you want, fold in shredded cheddar for extra gooeyness.
- Shape & glaze:
- Place mixture into the loaf pan and shape into a loaf.
- Mix ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard for the glaze. Spread over the top.
- Bake:
- Bake 55–65 minutes, until the meatloaf reaches an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
- Optional: broil for 2–3 minutes at the end to caramelize the glaze.
- Rest & serve:
- Let meatloaf rest 5–10 minutes before slicing.
- Serve with mashed potatoes, green beans, or a simple salad.
The crushed Ritz crackers give the meatloaf a buttery, slightly sweet crunch in every bite. It’s a subtle upgrade from classic breadcrumbs and tends to make the meatloaf extra moist.
If you want, I can also give a “fancy twist” version with Ritz cracker crust and a cheesy surprise center—it’s like comfort food but with a wow factor. Do you want me to do that?
