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    BeeyondCereal » Recipes » Main Dishes

    Meatloaf with Ritz Crackers

    Modified: Oct 17, 2023 Published: Aug 19, 2021 by Nicole Durham This post may contain affiliate links. Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe
    5 from 2 votes

    Meatloaf with Ritz crackers is sure to become your family's next favorite comfort meal. Made with very few ingredients and prep this recipe comes together easily, perfect for busy nights.

    Recipe: $14.84 | Per Serving: $1.86 | Servings: 8

    meatloaf sliced and served on a dinner plate with macaroni and green beans.

    Homemade meatloaf is a classic comfort food that's easy to prepare and always satisfies. If you've never had meatloaf made with Ritz crackers before, know that it's pretty incredible.

    The flakey butter crackers work well as a binder to produce a fluffy textured meatloaf, but the little bits of salt from the crackers also enhance the flavors in every bite.

    Many variations of meatloaf exist, but with its rich flavors and endless variations, this easy meatloaf recipe with Ritz crackers is a beloved classic that's sure to become a favorite in your kitchen.

    Inspired by my Simple Meatloaf Recipe with Oatmeal, this recipe is downright delicious. We love to serve it up with some Cast Iron Green Beans and 5 Ingredient Mac and Cheese, although I know a lot of people opt for Creamy Garlic Red Skin Mashed Potatoes when they eat meatloaf.

    Jump to:
    • 🍯 Why This Recipe Works
    • 🥘 Ingredients
    • 🧾 Substitutions
    • 🔪 Instructions for Meatloaf with Ritz Crackers
    • 🍴 Recipe Tips
    • ⏲️Make Ahead Instructions
    • 🍳Reheating
    • 🥗 Side Dishes
    • 👩🏻‍🍳 Storage
    • 💭 Recipe FAQs
    • ❤️ More Delicious Main Dish Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    🍯 Why This Recipe Works

    1. This meatloaf never lasts long! This is one meatloaf recipe you're going to need to keep leftovers aside for if you enjoy meatloaf sandwiches the next day, as we do.
    2. There's plenty for everyone. This recipe makes enough to feed a family, so serve it alongside your favorite side dishes and dig in! It's also easy to make so add it to your family's Lazy Sunday Dinner Ideas.
    3. Two ways to prepare it. You can use a bread loaf pan or a square baking dish (a square pan makes "extra" servings, perfect for smaller portions and more people).

    🥘 Ingredients

    labeled ingredients of items needed to make meatloaf with ritz crackers.

    Ingredient Notes:

    Ground beef- You'll want to use 80/20 ground beef for this recipe because it's fatty enough that the loaf won't dry out as it cooks, but it's also not so fatty that it falls apart or shrivels down to practically nothing.

    Eggs- The rule of thumb is one egg per pound of meat, so you'll need a few eggs to help bind the meatloaf mixture together. Don't have eggs? That's okay! Check out our Meatloaf Without Eggs.

    Worcestershire sauce- This will add a great depth of flavor.

    Ritz crackers- You can use name-brand or off brand crackers, it really doesn't matter which. These crackers will be the "bread" in the mixture that helps to bind everything together.

    For specific ingredients and measurements, please see the recipe card below.

    🧾 Substitutions

    Ground turkey. You can use ground turkey instead of ground beef for a healthier meatloaf alternative. Note that the meatloaf should then be cooked to 165 degrees F and that overcooking it will result in a dry loaf as turkey has a lot less fat in it.

    🔪 Instructions for Meatloaf with Ritz Crackers

    Step 1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and grease an 8x8 baking dish or loaf pan with cooking spray. Set aside.

    Ingredients in a bowl to make meatloaf.

    Step 2: In a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients except for the ketchup.

    meatloaf mixture in a mixing bowl.

    Step 3: Mix well to distribute ingredients evenly.

    raw meatloaf mixture in a bread loaf pan.

    Step 4: Pour the meatloaf mixture into your prepared pan.

    baked meatloaf in a bread loaf pan.

    Step 5: Bake for 45 minutes if using a square 8x8 pan. Bake for 1 hour if using a 9x5 loaf pan.

    Step 6: Remove from oven and drain grease from pan.

    meatloaf in a bread loaf pan topped with ketchup.

    Step 7: Spread ketchup over the top of the meatloaf so that it's evenly covered.

    baked ketchup topped meatloaf in a bread loaf pan.

    Step 8: Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes (if using a square pan) or 30 minutes (if using a loaf pan). Bake until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees F on an instant read thermometer.

    Step 9: Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

    sliced meatloaf on a wooden cutting board.

    🍴 Recipe Tips

    1. Cracker Crumbs- When preparing your Ritz meatloaf, feel free to adjust the cracker crumbs to your preference. You can crumble them finely by hand or use a food processor for quicker results. Either method works well and avoids extra cleanup.
    2. Choosing the Baking Dish- Whether you opt for an 8x8 baking dish or a bread loaf pan, both are suitable for cooking your meatloaf. However, note that cooking times may vary due to differences in shape and thickness. Growing up, my family often used a square or 9x13 baking dish to ensure there was plenty to go around.
    3. Temperature- Ensure your meatloaf reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees F to guarantee it's safely cooked. Check the temperature when adding the ketchup topping and again after cooking to ensure it's fully done.
    4. Scaling the Recipe- To serve more people, consider doubling the recipe and using a 9x13 baking dish. Follow the instructions for the square baking dish in the recipe card.

    ⏲️Make Ahead Instructions

    Preparation Time: Prepare the meatloaf and keep it covered in the fridge until it's ready to bake.

    Glass Pan Caution: If using a glass pan, allow it to sit on the counter for about 30 minutes before baking. This prevents the cold glass from shocking and potentially shattering in the oven.

    🍳Reheating

    1. Oven Method:
      • Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
      • Arrange multiple slices of meatloaf in a baking dish.
      • Cover the dish with aluminum foil to prevent drying out.
      • Bake in the preheated oven for 5-10 minutes, or until heated through.
    2. Microwave Method:
      • Place a few slices of meatloaf on a microwave-safe plate.
      • Cover the plate with a microwave-safe cover or a damp paper towel.
      • Microwave on high for about 2 minutes, or until heated through.

    Be sure to check the internal temperature of the meatloaf slices before serving to ensure they are hot enough. Adjust the heating time as needed based on your microwave's power and the thickness of the slices.

    🥗 Side Dishes

    This meatloaf would taste great with just about anything as a side dish, but because it's a comfort food classic, having it with simpler side dishes makes sense.

    I recommend trying it with Dairy Free Deviled Eggs, this Easy Canned Corn Recipe, or some Slow Cooker Cabbage with Bacon.

    👩🏻‍🍳 Storage

    Storing Leftovers- Place any leftover meatloaf in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 5 days.

    Freezing Instructions- For longer-term storage, freeze any uneaten portions of meatloaf. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or store it in a freezer-safe container. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and reheat as needed.

    💭 Recipe FAQs

    How long does it take to cook a 3lb meatloaf at 375 degrees?

    If you want to cook the meatloaf at 375 degrees F, the baking time will be lessened. Check your meatloaf after 40 minutes and if it's reached 160 degrees F, then drain grease, top with ketchup, and return to oven for 5 minutes before serving.

    Why did my meatloaf fall apart?

    If your meatloaf falls apart when sliced or being removed from the pan, the main reasons for it to have done so would be that you didn't press the meatloaf together well enough when adding it to the pan, or you didn't use the proper amount of binding agents in the recipe.

    Should meatloaf be baked covered or uncovered?

    There's no reason to cover your meatloaf while it bakes. You want the top to create a nice caramelized crust, as this helps to seal in the juices for a softer loaf. If the top of your meatloaf is getting too dark you can gently lay a piece of foil over the top, but do not crimp or tuck the edges.

    Can I substitute Ritz crackers for breadcrumbs?

    Did you know that one sleeve of crushed Ritz crackers is about one cup? You can use them instead of breadcrumbs in meatloaf recipes. It makes the meatloaf moist and buttery, and everyone will love it!

    sliced meatloaf on a dinner plate with macaroni and cheese and green beans.

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    If you tried this Meatloaf with Ritz Crackers, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and share your feedback in the 📝 comments section below. I would truly appreciate it!

    📖 Recipe

    sliced loaf of ritz cracker meatloaf on a wooden cutting board.
    Print Recipe
    5 from 2 votes

    Meatloaf with Ritz Crackers

    Making meatloaf with Ritz crackers is going to become your family's favorite way to serve up this homemade comfort meal. With very little prep work you can have a dish full of meatloaf and in the oven quickly and ready to eat in about an hour.
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins
    Cooling Time 5 minutes mins
    Total Time 1 hour hr 40 minutes mins
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 728kcal
    Cost Recipe $14.84 / Serving $1.86
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Bread loaf pan or 8x8 baking dish
    • Mixing Bowl
    • Measuring Cups
    • Measuring Spoons

    Ingredients

    • 3 pounds 80/20 ground beef ($12.84)
    • 3 large eggs ($0.45)
    • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce ($0.02)
    • 2 teaspoons minced garlic ($0.16)
    • ½ teaspoon salt ($0.01)
    • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper ($0.04)
    • ½ teaspoon onion powder ($0.04)
    • 1 ½ cups Ritz cracker crumbs (one sleeve) ($0.97)
    • ¾ cup ketchup ($0.31)
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and grease a 8x8 baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside. **See note below for bread pan baking instructions
    • In a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients, except for the ketchup. Mix well to evenly distribute ingredients.
    • Pour the meatloaf mixture into your prepared square pan and bake for 45 minutes.
    • Remove from oven and drain grease from pan.
    • Spread ketchup over the top of the meatloaf so that it's evenly covered.
    • Return pan to oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees F on an instant read thermometer.
    • Remove from oven and let cool 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

    Notes

    • Bake in a 9x5 bread pan at 350°F for 1 hour, then drain grease, top with ketchup, and bake an additional 30 minutes until internal temperature is 160°F.
    • You can crumble Ritz crackers by hand or in a food processor. Both work well.
    • Meatloaf can be cooked in an 8x8 baking dish or a bread loaf pan, but cooking times will vary.
    • Make the meatloaf in advance and store it in the fridge, allowing it to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking if using a glass pan.

    Nutritional Information

    Serving: 2slices | Calories: 728kcal | Carbohydrates: 24.5g | Protein: 44.5g | Fat: 47.6g | Saturated Fat: 18.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 20.9g | Trans Fat: 2.7g | Cholesterol: 253.5mg | Sodium: 708mg | Potassium: 923.1mg | Fiber: 2.1g | Sugar: 8.2g | Vitamin A: 109.1IU | Vitamin C: 2.9mg | Calcium: 69.1mg | Iron: 5.6mg
    Author Nicole Durham
    Course dinner, Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Tried this recipe?Mention @BeeyondCereal on Instagram and hashtag it #BeeyondCereal
    Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used. To view how this recipe was calculated you can visit my Pricing Disclosure Page for more information.

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    The proud owner and recipe developer behind BeeyondCereal. Here, I'm passionate about showing people how to navigate the kitchen with frugality in mind, whipping up family-friendly recipes that not only save money but also bring joy to every meal.

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