Go Back
–+ servings
Thick, perfectly glazed meatloaf resting in a metal loaf pan after cooking

The Optimized Ritz Meatloaf: Engineering the Perfect Texture and Temperature

This specific blueprint is designed for consistency, taking the guesswork out of a dish that is often plagued by dryness or lack of structure by utilizing a specific meatloaf ritz crackers recipe.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings
Calories 445 kcal

Equipment

  • Loaf Pan
  • Instant-read digital thermometer
  • Small pan (for sautéing)

Ingredients
  

For the Meatloaf Base

  • 0.5 tablespoon olive oil
  • 0.5 cup yellow onion finely diced
  • 0.5 cup bell pepper finely diced
  • 2 pounds ground beef 80% lean
  • 1 cup Ritz crackers crushed
  • 2 eggs whisked
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded
  • 0.5 cup whole milk
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 0.25 tsp. black pepper

For the Glaze Topping

  • 0.5 -0.75 ketchup Use 1/2 to 3/4 cup
  • 2 tbsp. brown sugar
  • 1 tsp. yellow mustard

Instructions
 

Sauté Aromatics and Preparation

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Sauté the diced peppers and onions in a small pan with the olive oil until softened, about 5 minutes. This gives them a more subtle flavor and texture. Set aside and let cool.

Mixing and Forming the Loaf

  • Combined the whisked eggs, crushed crackers, cooled onions, bell peppers, cheese, milk, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.
  • Add ground beef and mix until just combined. Don't overwork the meat, we want tender results.
  • Form it in a loaf and place it into a loaf pan. Not using a loaf pan can result in the loaf falling apart and taking much longer to cook, causing it to dry out.

Baking Stages

  • Bake the meatloaf for the initial 30 minutes.
  • Combine the topping ingredients (ketchup, brown sugar, yellow mustard) while it bakes and set aside.
  • Remove the meatloaf and brush on the topping.
  • Bake for an additional 30 to 40 minutes, pulling it once the internal temperature reaches 155 degrees F.
  • Let it rest for 15 minutes in the loaf pan prior to slicing in; it will increase 8 to 10 degrees in temperature during this time, reaching the target of 160 degrees F.
  • Serve with creamy mashed potatoes and enjoy!

Notes

For a parchment paper sling, fit paper across the bottom and up the two long sides of the loaf pan to allow for easy removal after resting. If using leaner meat (90/10 or 93/7), add an extra tablespoon of olive oil to the sauté step or increase the milk content to 3/4 cup to compensate for missing lipids. For a cleaner slice the next day, chill the entire loaf overnight before cutting.

Nutrition

Calories: 445kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 25gFat: 31g
Keyword beef blend, glaze control, ritz crackers, tested
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!