When it comes to comfort food, nothing beats the easiness and tradition of a basic meatloaf. The dish has various variations, but the ultimate result is almost always the same: a loaf of meat cut into pieces like bread and served, frequently with a delicious gravy.

Interestingly, while meatloaf as we know it first appeared in cookbooks in the late 1800s, it dates back to the 5th century and originated in the area that would eventually become Germany and Belgium.

This Dutch meatball relative found its way to America during colonial times, where it was made of ground pork and cornmeal. Meatloaf nowadays is often made with ground beef, veggies, and bread crumbs. However, this recipe asks for something a little different: crushed saltine crackers. Scroll down for more information…