Beef Meatloaf with Ritz Crackers - Instant Pot + Oven-baked

The classic, traditional Easy Beef Meatloaf with Ritz Crackers is an ideal meal for a busy weeknight or a family weekend meal. The ease and availability of ingredients has made this a popular beef loaf dish for many home cooks. I added crumbled Ritz Crackers in place of the usual bread+milk binder, and it added a pleasant, savory dimension to the meatloaf. I added sweet Spanish Chorizos, finely chopped, which is a favorite ingredient Filipinos like to use for different dishes, to add more flavor or extend the entree. This is an Asian in America recipe. Serves 4.

*I share 2 alternative ways to cook: In the Instant Pot multicooker or oven-baked. Cooking time here shows the oven-baked version. In the Instant Pot, it cooks in 25 minutes.

Prep Time25

Cook Time55

Total Time1 20

Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Servings: people

Calories: 166kcal

Author: Elizabeth Ann Quirino

Equipment

Instant Pot Multicooker - 6 quarts (if using the Instant Pot)
Loaf pans - 1 large ( 9 x 5 inches) for the oven-baked version; 2 Smaller loaf pans (7 x 4 inches) for Instant Pot

Ingredients

1 pound lean ground beef
2 whole large eggs
½ cup crushed Ritz crackers, about 6 pieces
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 whole medium-sized white or yellow onion, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 Tablespoon tomato paste
1 Tablespoon banana ketchup, or use tomato catsup
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 whole Spanish chorizo, chopped fine
pinch of salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper powder

For serving:

buttered corn on the cob
steamed vegetables
mashed potatoes
steamed rice
catsup on the side

Instructions

For oven-baked meatloaf:

Preheat the oven to 375 F degrees. Grease loaf pan with cooking spray and set aside.
In a large bowl, combine the beef with all the ingredients. Place in a large loaf pan. Cover with foil and seal tightly.
Bake in the oven for 55 minutes. When meatloaf is done, remove from oven, and uncover foil.
*If you'd like a brown, roasted top: Remove foil. Broil in the oven for 5 minutes till top is brown.
Loosen the sides with a knife. Turn over on a serving platter. Slice and serve warm with the side dishes.

To make Instant Pot Meatloaf:

Grease 2 small aluminum loaf pans (around 7-inches length) that will fit in the inside pot of the Instant Pot. Set aside.
In a bowl, combine the beef with all the ingredients. Mix well. Place the meat mixture inside the loaf pans. Cover both with aluminum foil.
Place a trivet (which comes with the Instant Pot) into the inside pot.
Fill the inside pot with enough water to reach the sides of the trivet (about 3 cups).
*Cook the loaf pans one at a time. Both will not fit inside a 6-quart Instant Pot.
Cover the pans with foil. Place one foil-covered meat loaf pan inside the Instant Pot.
Cover and lock the lid. Set the valve to Sealing.
Click Manual + High Pressure + 25 minutes.
When the Instant Pot beeps to announce cooking is done, do a Quick Release.
After the steam stops, unlock and open the lid carefully. Unplug the Instant Pot.
Use silicone oven mitts and hold the trivet handles to raise the meat loaf. Set the meat loaf on the counter to cool for about 5 minutes. Remove foil.
*If you'd like a brown, roasted top: Remove foil. Broil in the oven for 5 minutes till top is brown.
To serve: Loosen sides with a knife and turn over on a serving platter. Slice and serve the meatloaf warm with the suggested sides.

Notes on the Instant Pot:

It takes about 17 minutes for the Instant Pot to preheat before the High Pressure cooking time begins. For other brands of multicookers, consult the product manual.
Quick Release: This is when you release the pressure instantly. Press Cancel and turn the Steam release handle on the lid to a Venting position. Wait for steam to stop hissing before you unlock and open the lid.
Safety: Use accessories recommended for the Instant Pot or multicookers, like metals or silicone. Do not use glassware. For more information, read the manual.

Nutrition