Ingredients

• 2 pounds lean ground beef
• 1 small finely diced onion
• 1⁄2 cup finely diced bell pepper (optional)
• 48 Ritz crackers, crushed (about 1 1/2 sleeves)
• 4 ounces shredded sharp cheddar or Colby cheese
• 3 eggs
• 1⁄2 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon black pepper

• 1⁄2–3/4 cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon mustard

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a small bowl, mix together the ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard until well combined. Set this glaze aside for later.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the eggs, crushed Ritz crackers, shredded cheese, milk, onion, bell pepper, salt, and black pepper. Stir until evenly mixed.
4. Add the ground beef to the bowl and gently mix until everything is just combined. Avoid overmixing.
5. Place the mixture into a greased and lined loaf pan, shaping it evenly.
6. Bake the meatloaf for 30 minutes.
7. Remove the pan from the oven and spread the prepared glaze evenly over the top.
8. Return the meatloaf to the oven and bake for another 30–40 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 155°F.
9. Let the meatloaf rest for 15 minutes before slicing and serving.

• A sleeve of Ritz Original Crackers (13.7 oz) contains 32 crackers, so you will need roughly 1½ sleeves to reach the total of 48 crackers.
• 80% lean ground beef works best because it keeps the meatloaf moist and flavorful.
• To reduce grease when using a loaf pan, place a few slices of plain white bread at the bottom of the pan to absorb excess fat. A loaf pan with a draining insert can also help.
• Mix the ingredients only until combined. Overworking the mixture can produce a dense, tough meatloaf.