Meatloaf with Ritz crackers is a juicy, tender version of classic meatloaf—the crackers act as a buttery binder instead of breadcrumbs, giving it great texture and flavor.
Meatloaf with Ritz Crackers
Ingredients
Meatloaf
- 500–700 g ground beef (or beef + pork mix)
- 1 cup crushed Ritz crackers (about 1 sleeve)
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1 small onion (finely chopped)
- 2–3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried oregano or mixed herbs
Glaze
- 1/3 cup ketchup
- 1 tbsp brown sugar or honey
- 1 tsp mustard (optional)
Instructions
1. Soften crackers
- Mix crushed Ritz crackers with milk
- Let sit 2–3 minutes so they soften
2. Mix meatloaf
- In a large bowl, combine:
- ground beef
- soaked cracker mixture
- egg
- onion + garlic
- Worcestershire sauce + ketchup
- salt, pepper, herbs
- Mix gently (don’t overwork or it becomes dense)
3. Shape
- Form into a loaf shape in a baking dish or loaf pan
- Smooth the top
4. Add glaze
- Mix ketchup + brown sugar + mustard
- Spread evenly over the top
5. Bake
- Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F)
- Bake 45–60 minutes until cooked through
- Internal temp should reach about 70°C (160°F)
6. Rest
- Let it rest 10 minutes before slicing (keeps it juicy)
Tips
- Ritz crackers make it softer and slightly buttery
- Don’t overmix the meat or it becomes dry
- Add grated cheese inside for extra richness
- A splash of milk keeps it moist
Serving ideas
- Mashed potatoes + gravy (classic combo)
- Roasted vegetables
- Sandwich leftovers (cold meatloaf slices are amazing)
If you want, I can show you:
- a BBQ-style smoky meatloaf
- a cheese-stuffed meatloaf version
- or a mini meatloaf muffin version (faster cooking)
