Meatloaf Using Ritz Crackers
Most meatloaf recipes call for bread crumbs to be added to the mixture as a binding agent to keep it from falling apart. If you don’t have breadcrumbs, you can make meatloaf using Ritz crackers as your binding agent instead. Crushed-up Ritz crackers make a great substitute and add an extra burst of buttery flavor and moisture to your dish that regular breadcrumbs can’t quite match. One sleeve of Ritz crackers is about one cup when crushed up, so it’s a simple one-to-one substitution for breadcrumbs in any meatloaf recipe. The result is a moist and buttery delicious meatloaf that everybody will rave about.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. ground beef (80% lean 20% fat)
- 2 eggs
- 2 1/2 tbsp. garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 1/2 large white onion (diced)
- 1 sleeve of Ritz crackers
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 5 tbsp. ketchup
- 1 1/2 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
- 4 tbsp. fresh parsley (finely chopped)
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 3 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
Instructions for Meatloaf Using Ritz Crackers
- Preheat oven to 375 F. Grease your meatloaf pan with nonstick spray.
- Crush up a sleeve of Ritz crackers into fine pieces while they’re still in the bag, then add them to a small bowl with your milk to let the crackers absorb that moisture.
- In a separate bowl, add the ground beef, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, onions, garlic, and all of your seasonings. Then dump your Ritz cracker and milk mixture into the bowl and combine it all together.
- Once all the ingredients are combined, put your meatloaf mixture into the meatloaf pan and lightly press down on it until the top is even.
- Bake the meatloaf uncovered for 40 minutes. While the meatloaf bakes, prepare your preferred glaze.
- After 40 minutes in the oven, take the meatloaf out and add the glaze to the top of it. Then put it back into the oven to bake for another 15 minutes or until the center of the loaf has reached an internal temperature of 160 F.
- Let your meatloaf rest for 5 to 10 minutes then it’s ready to serve!
