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Ultimate Southern Style Ritz Cracker Meatloaf w/ Video

Ultimate Southern Style Ritz Cracker Meatloaf w/ Video

This tender and juicy Ritz Cracker Meatloaf features bell peppers, onions, and a sweet chili glaze, making it a family favorite dinner.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Resting Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course dinner, lunch
Cuisine American, Southern
Servings 8 people
Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

  • oven
  • Skillet
  • Baking sheet
  • aluminum foil
  • mixing bowls

Ingredients
  

Main 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
  • 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
 

Preparation

  • 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.

Baking

  • Combine the sweet chili sauce, ketchup, and dark brown sugar.
  • 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 slicing. Refrigerate in airtight containers or wrap tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap for 3-4 days. To freeze, wrap in plastic wrap then foil and place in a plastic bag; label and date. It will last up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 28gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 130mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 2gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 15IUVitamin C: 20mgCalcium: 4mgIron: 15mg
Keyword meatloaf, meatloaf sandwich, meatloaf with ritz crackers recipe, ritz cracker meatloaf
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