Description

This classic Meatloaf recipe combines ground beef with crushed Ritz crackers, seasoned with onion, garlic powder, and a blend of spices. The meatloaf is baked to perfection and topped with a flavorful glaze made from ketchup, brown sugar, apricot preserves, and Worcestershire sauce, offering a tender, juicy, and slightly sweet dinner centerpiece.

Ingredients

Scale

Meatloaf

2 lbs ground beef (or ground turkey)
1 cup Ritz crackers, crushed
1 egg, beaten
1 cup milk
1/2 cup ketchup
1/3 cup onion, finely chopped (or 1 Tbsp dried minced onion)
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp garlic powder

Glaze

3/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup apricot preserves
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

Instructions

Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly coat a 5×9 inch loaf pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking and set it aside.
Mix Meatloaf Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, crushed Ritz crackers, beaten egg, milk, 1/2 cup ketchup, finely chopped onion, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Use your hands to thoroughly mix all the ingredients together until evenly combined.
Shape and Bake Meatloaf: Transfer the meat mixture to the prepared loaf pan and spread it out evenly. Place the pan on a rimmed baking sheet to catch any drips, then bake uncovered in the preheated oven for a total of 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Prepare Glaze: While the meatloaf starts baking, mix 3/4 cup ketchup, brown sugar, apricot preserves, and Worcestershire sauce in a small bowl until smooth and well combined.
Apply Glaze Midway: Halfway through the baking time (about 45 minutes in), spread half of the prepared glaze evenly over the top of the meatloaf. Continue baking uncovered for the remaining time.
Rest and Serve: Once baked, remove the meatloaf from the oven and let it rest for 15 minutes. Reserve the remaining glaze for dipping or topping before slicing and serving the meatloaf.

Notes

You can substitute ground turkey for beef for a leaner version.
Make sure to use crushed crackers, not powder, to retain texture.
Resting the meatloaf after baking helps it hold together better when slicing.
The glaze can be doubled for more topping or reserved for leftovers.
If you prefer a spicier glaze, add a dash of hot sauce or cayenne pepper to the sauce mixture.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: meatloaf, ground beef, meatloaf recipe, apricot glaze, classic dinner, comfort food