Hearty Cheddar Meatloaf Recipe: Family’s New Favorite

When comfort food meets culinary creativity, this savory cheddar meatloaf recipe emerges as a hearty dinner champion.

Melted cheese and rich ground beef combine in a mouthwatering symphony of flavors that dance across your palate.

Each slice promises a tender, juicy experience with sharp cheddar melting perfectly throughout the meat.

The blend of simple ingredients creates a classic dish that feels both nostalgic and exciting.

Herbs and spices weave through the meatloaf, adding depth and complexity to every bite.

Home cooks and meat lovers will find this recipe both satisfying and impressively delicious.

Serve this golden-brown masterpiece and watch as everyone at the table asks for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 60 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Calories: 370 kcal

Servings: 7

Savory Cheddar Meatloaf Ingredient Essentials

• Ground Beef: Provides rich, hearty protein foundation with optimal fat content for juicy texture.
• Ritz Crackers: Adds subtle buttery crunch and helps bind ingredients together smoothly.

• Cheddar Cheese: Introduces sharp, tangy cheese notes that melt beautifully through the meatloaf.
• Onion: Delivers sweet, aromatic depth and classic savory undertones.
• Green Bell Pepper: Optional vegetable that brings mild freshness and slight crunch.

• Eggs: Acts as natural binding agent to hold meatloaf structure perfectly.
• Whole Milk: Ensures tenderness and prevents meat from becoming dry or dense.
• Kosher Salt: Amplifies overall flavor and seasons meat thoroughly.
• Black Pepper: Adds warm, subtle spiciness throughout the dish.

• Ketchup: Provides sweet-tangy base for glossy exterior.
• Brown Sugar: Creates caramelized, rich sweetness on meatloaf surface.
• Yellow Mustard: Introduces slightly sharp, zingy complement to sweet elements.

What You’ll Need for Cheddar Meatloaf

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining all ingredients thoroughly.
• Sauté pan: Perfect for softening onions and bell peppers.
• Baking sheet: Provides stable surface for shaping and baking meatloaf.
• Parchment paper: Prevents sticking and makes cleanup easy.
• Cutting board: Ideal for dicing vegetables.
• Sharp knife: Helps finely chop onions and bell peppers.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient measurements.
• Whisk: Helps beat eggs smoothly.
• Small bowl: Used for preparing the glaze.
• Spatula or wooden spoon: Helps mix ingredients evenly.

Prepping Savory Cheddar Meatloaf Simply

• Oven Warmup

Set the oven to a cozy 350°F. Grab a baking sheet and give it a light greasing to prevent any sticky situations.

• Veggie Softening

In a pan, warm some olive oil and toss in diced onions. Let them dance and soften until they’re translucent and fragrant.

• Flavor Fusion

Grab a big mixing bowl and combine crackers, eggs, cheese, and seasonings. This is where the magic begins – mix everything until it feels just right.

• Meat Magic

Introduce ground beef to your cracker mixture. Get your hands dirty and blend everything together, creating a harmonious meaty symphony.

• Loaf Formation

Shape your meaty mixture into a beautiful loaf on the prepared baking sheet. Make it look rustic and inviting.

• Glaze Glory

Whip up a quick sauce mixing ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard. After the meatloaf has baked for half an hour, generously paint the top with this sweet and tangy glaze.

• Resting and Serving

Once out of the oven, let your meatloaf take a little breather. This helps lock in all those delicious juices. Slice and serve to hungry friends and family.

Ideas to Elevate Cheddar Meatloaf

• Meatloaf Magic Moments: Elevate Your Dish
• Meat Selection Mastery: Choose ground beef with 80/20 fat content for maximum flavor and juiciness. Leaner meats can make the meatloaf dry and less tender.
• Cracker Crunch Secret: Crush Ritz crackers just before mixing to maintain their crisp texture and prevent sogginess. Use a rolling pin or food processor for consistent, fine crumbs.
• Cheese Lover's Twist: Experiment with different cheese varieties like sharp white cheddar, pepper jack, or smoky gouda to create unique flavor profiles that'll surprise your taste buds.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the meatloaf mixture a day ahead and store covered in the refrigerator. This allows flavors to meld and makes weeknight cooking a breeze.
• Leftover Love: Transform cold meatloaf slices into delicious sandwiches by adding crisp lettuce, tangy mustard, and a slice of melted cheese between toasted bread.

How to Serve Cheddar Meatloaf Like a Pro

• Cozy Family Dinner Centerpiece: Serve this hearty meatloaf as the star of your evening meal, accompanied by creamy mashed potatoes and steamed green beans for a classic comfort food experience.
• Leftover Lunch Makeover: Transform cold meatloaf slices into delicious sandwiches by adding crisp lettuce, sliced tomatoes, and a dollop of tangy mayo between soft bread slices for a quick and satisfying lunch option.
• Flavor-Packed Side Companions: Complement the rich meatloaf with roasted seasonal vegetables like carrots, Brussels sprouts, or sweet potato wedges to add color, nutrition, and extra texture to your plate.
• Crowd-Pleasing Potluck Contribution: Cut the meatloaf into smaller portions for easy serving at gatherings, pairing beautifully with a fresh garden salad and warm dinner rolls to create a crowd-pleasing meal that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Storage Tips for Savory Cheddar Meatloaf

• Fridge Fresh Storage: Keep leftover meatloaf sealed in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Refrigerated slices stay delicious for 3-4 days when properly wrapped.
• Quick Meal Prep Strategy: Cut entire meatloaf into individual portions before refrigerating. Wrap each slice separately using plastic wrap or aluminum foil to maintain moisture and prevent flavor transfer.
• Smart Freezing Technique: Freeze unglazed meatloaf for maximum quality. Wrap tightly in freezer-friendly plastic wrap, then place inside a freezer bag. Frozen meatloaf maintains excellent taste for up to 3 months when sealed correctly.
• Reheating Magic Trick: Warm refrigerated slices in the microwave at 50% power to prevent drying. Alternatively, reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, adding a splash of beef broth to maintain juiciness and restore original flavor profile.

Hearty Cheddar Meatloaf Recipe

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4.5 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Meatloaf mavens will discover this cheddar meatloaf delight combining hearty ground beef with sharp cheese and classic seasonings. Rich flavors and simple preparation make this classic American comfort dish a reliable dinner solution for hungry families.

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Ingredients

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• 2 lbs (907 g) ground beef, 80% lean
• 1 cup (240 ml) cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
• 2 eggs, large, whisked
• 45 Ritz crackers, crushed
• ½ cup (120 ml) whole milk
• ⅔ cup (160 ml) ketchup
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
• 1 green bell pepper, finely diced (optional)
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
• 1 tsp (5 g) kosher salt
• ¼ tsp (1.25 g) ground black pepper
• 2 tbsps (30 g) brown sugar
• 1 tsp (5 ml) yellow mustard

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Ignite the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper, applying a delicate grease layer to prevent sticking.
2. Flavor Foundation: Gently sauté onions and green bell peppers in olive oil until translucent, then allow to cool completely. These aromatic vegetables will infuse depth into the meatloaf’s profile.
3. Mixture Melding: In a generous mixing bowl, harmonize crushed Ritz crackers, whisked eggs, shredded cheddar cheese, whole milk, kosher salt, and black pepper. Blend ingredients until they dance together seamlessly.
4. Meat Transformation: Incorporate ground beef into the cracker mixture, gently folding in the cooled vegetables. Massage the components with fingertips, ensuring a uniform distribution that promises consistent flavor in every bite.
5. Sculpting and Initial Roasting: Craft the meat mixture into a perfectly shaped loaf on the prepared baking sheet. Slide into the preheated oven and roast for 30 minutes, allowing flavors to develop and meld.
6. Glaze Creation and Finishing: Whisk ketchup, brown sugar, and yellow mustard into a vibrant, glossy coating. Brush generously over the partially cooked meatloaf, creating a caramelized exterior that promises tantalizing taste and visual appeal.
7. Final Cooking and Resting: Continue baking for an additional 30 minutes until the internal temperature conquers 160°F. Once removed from the oven, allow the meatloaf to rest 10-15 minutes, letting juices redistribute and ensuring a supremely moist and tender result ready to be sliced and savored.

Notes

• Prevent Meat Compression: Gently mix ingredients without overworking the ground beef to maintain a tender, light meatloaf texture and prevent dense, tough results.
• Moisture Mastery: Let sautéed vegetables cool completely before mixing to prevent excess moisture from making the meatloaf soggy and compromising structural integrity.
• Temperature Precision: Use a meat thermometer to confirm the 160°F internal temperature, guaranteeing food safety without overcooking and drying out the meat.
• Resting Technique: Allow meatloaf to rest after baking, which helps redistribute internal juices, ensuring each slice remains succulent and flavorful when served.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 60 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 370
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg