Learn how to make the Best Classic Southern Meatloaf Recipe with Crackers and follow simple instructions with simple ingredients!
When I hear the recommendation of a meatloaf supper, I am filled with so many memories of my mom, grandma, and great-grandma making this great recipe.
If I had to choose my favorite classic comfort food recipe, it would be this Southern meatloaf recipe with crackers. It’s not only requested for birthdays by most of our family, but it’s something my kids with ever-changing food pallets also consistently love. Everyone in this house is a meatloaf lover, thank goodness!
I am going to change your mind about the word meatloaf with this simple classic southern meatloaf recipe.
See full recipe card at the bottom of the page with detailed ingredients list and full instructions to make this Best Classic Southern Meatloaf Recipe with Crackers. Print to save in your cookbook binder or bookmark this page! You will make it again!
Why is this family favorite the best meatloaf recipe, you ask?
- Simplicity
- Versatility
- Easy Substitutions
- Use of pantry staples
- No special baking dish needed
Simplicity
This is an 9 ingredient recipe. 4 of which are salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder. And there’s no magic order of mixing it all up.
You also can put it in the oven, set a timer, and forget it. No babysitting the oven required! I have a smaller oven and a large oven. The large oven temp is sometimes not completely steady. Not a big deal for this recipe!
Versatility
If you prefer a meatloaf with fresh green peppers and onions or other spice blends, go for it! Add in your desired amounts. I have even heard of people liking pimientos in theirs.
I usually take the easy route and just put a ketchup glaze on top of the meatloaf. Literally just ketchup…no extra effort necessary. If you want to cut some of the ketchup’s sweetness, adding in a little Worcestershire sauce is a good option. How much will be to your taste preference and probably depend on what brand of ketchup you use. Many people also use bbq sauce, or a brown sugar glaze mixture as well. We are just a ketchup fam. Many different glaze recipes can be found that would pair great with this recipe since it is so basic.
Easy Substitutions
This recipe calls for crackers. My grandma and mom have always used saltine crackers because they are WAY cheaper at most all grocery stores. I have tried Ritz cracker crumbs and it turns out just as good, actually maybe better.
As we have attempted to clean up our diet and reach for non-processed/whole food items with less ingredients, I have started using old-fashioned rolled oats. I use about 1 cup of oats in place of the tube of crackers. Plain bread crumbs are another option.
The beauty of this is you can use what you have! This photo below is a ritz cracker meatloaf.
Use of Pantry Staples
As shown by the 9 ingredients listed and substitutions options shown above, you will almost ALWAYS have the ingredients on hand to make this easy dinner. If you don’t keep these items in your pantry, I would encourage you to do so.
No Special Baking Dish Needed
While some people like to use a loaf pan to drain any excess grease, a basic kitchen might now have a designated meatloaf pan. I definitely don’t! You can cook this meatloaf in a glass baking dish, or even on a baking sheet. Personally, we don’t mind the grease collecting in the bottom of the dish. It makes the edges more crispy and it’s not like you are going to try and soak it back up when serving.
All of that being said, I cook this dish in a cast iron…need I say more! The cast iron skillet makes for a crispy bottom that my husband and I especially enjoy. We tend to prefer a more dry meatloaf. Does anyone really like a soggy meatloaf? A moist meatloaf, maybe, but not soggy!
Southern Meatloaf Recipe with Crackers – Ingredients
- Ground Beef
I prefer to use our own processed meat which varies in level of fat content, but good ol’ 80/20 ground beef from the store is just fine. If you are interested in how we get our beef processed, we will have a future post on how I complete our cut sheet.
- Egg
Yard egg, store egg. Either way, you want a large one.
- Saltine or Ritz Crackers
I have used both and like both. Use what you have! Generic brands are a go.
- Tomato Sauce
- Ketchup
- Seasonings
Salt, black pepper, garlic powder and onion powder are it. Less chunks from fresh onion or garlic in your meatloaf will automatically appeal to your kids or other picky eaters in your family.
Southern Meatloaf Recipe with Crackers – Cooking Instructions
Preheat your oven. For a crunchy bottom on the meatloaf, put your cast iron skillet in the oven to heat with the oven.
Crunch up your crackers in the package. I usually slightly open the end so the squished air can escape without an explosion. You’re welcome.
Mix ground beef, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and 1 egg in a mixing bowl. Add in your cracker crumbs. Best way to mix…the hands.
Form your meat mixture into a loaf in your large mixing bowl then transfer to skillet. Flatten out and make your indention in the middle. Or you can live on the edge and form it right in the pre-heated cast iron…I usually do.
Place skillet in the middle of preheated oven and cook for 40-45 minutes.
Pull out and put ketchup on top. I squirt the bottle right across the top.
Put back into the oven and bake for another 10-15 minutes.
Pull out and let rest and cool for about 5 minutes.
Cut into the meatloaf and enjoy the best classic southern meatloaf with crackers that you have ever had. Pair with a side or two and this will quickly become a family dinner favorite!
We like to serve our cooked meatloaf with green beans or black-eyed peas and corn bread! This meatloaf with sides feeds our family of four with leftovers. A meatloaf sandwich the next day is just a bonus of leftover meatloaf.
Cooking Time and Adjustments
- This meatloaf usually takes about an hour to cook. This includes taking out and putting ketchup on about 45 minutes through. I do cook this meatloaf about 7-10 minutes longer if I substitute with the rolled oats and use 1.5 lbs of beef vs 1.
- While the internal temperature only needs to hit 165 degrees when using a meat thermometer for the meatloaf to be safe to eat, that isn’t “done” enough for my family. I like for the internal temp to be more towards 195 to 200 +/- degrees.
- Another tip for cooking is making a shallow indention in the center of the loaf before putting in the oven. This helps the loaf to cook more evenly.
- I have thought many times that the crust on the bottom from the cast iron might be too much, but it’s never burnt and always my favorite. If you don’t prefer this, put the loaf in a room temperature cast iron vs the preheated one.
The doneness is really all about preference. If you aren’t sure what you will like, just cut into it when you hit 165ish and go from there!
Freezing Prepared Meatloaves
I am all about efficiency. If I am going to get my hands dirty mixing up a meatloaf, I am going to mix up at least 5 of them. Here is how I prep them and store in the freezer:
- Take the raw prepared meatloaf mixture and put one meatloaf worth into a disposable round pie tin.
- Cover with a double layer of aluminum foil and seal the edges as tightly as possible. Write the date in permanent marker on the foil.
- When ready to prepare to cook, thaw either the night before in the fridge, or out on the counter the next day like you would any regular ground beef.
- Plop the thawed meatloaf right into cast iron to cook.
I have used these batch-prepared meatloaves up to 6 months after freezing without plastic wrap or freezer bags. Wash and reuse tins and foil if desired, or just trash and move on with your life. Easy-Peasy!
Other Supper Recipes the WHOLE FAMILY Loves!
If you enjoyed this classic southern meatloaf recipe with crackers, you are sure to love these upcoming recipes as well:
- Homestyle meatballs (Coming Soon!!!)
- One Pan Roasted Chicken and Vegetables with Legs or Thighs
- Hamburger/Salisbury Steak with Brown Gravy
- Simple Whipped Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Best Classic Southern Meatloaf with Crackers
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tube of crackers Ritz or Saltine
- 1 small 8 oz can of tomato sauce
- 1 large egg
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- 1/4 cup Ketchup
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees with cast iron preheating inside.
- Crunch up all crackers in tube into crumbs.
- Mix together beef, egg, tomato sauce, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and crackers in mixing bowl.
- Form into a round disc shaped loaf and put into your preheated cast iron skillet.
- Make an indention in the middle of your meatloaf to assist with even cooking.
- Put the skillet with loaf into oven and bake for 40-45 minutes.
- Remove from oven after 45 minutes and add ketchup to top of the meatloaf.
- Return to oven for an additional 10-15 minutes and cook until desired doneness. 190-205+/- degrees is preferred.
- Let sit for 5 minutes to rest and cool.
- Cut, serve and enjoy!
Made this last night. Definitely simple home cooking at its best. Pair this with the whipped potatoes made w/ canned milk and it takes you back to grandma’s table.
It’s a staple around here for sure!