Crock Pot Meatloaf
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There are some dinners that just feel like home, and this Crock Pot Meatloaf Recipe is one of them. It’s tender, flavorful, topped with a sweet and tangy glaze, and the slow cooker does almost all of the work for you. If you’ve never made meatloaf in the slow cooker before, you’re in for a pleasant surprise. It stays incredibly moist and practically melts in your mouth.
Crock Pot Meatloaf
Crock Pot Meatloaf
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This is the kind of recipe that’s perfect for busy weekdays. Mix everything together in the morning, let it cook low and slow, and by dinnertime you’ll have a comforting family meal waiting for you.
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Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or just hoping for great leftovers, this easy crock pot meatloaf recipe is one you’ll find yourself making again and again.
Why You’ll Love This Crock Pot Meatloaf
If you’ve struggled with dry meatloaf in the oven, the slow cooker is about to become your new favorite method. The gentle, moist heat keeps the meat incredibly tender while the sweet ketchup glaze caramelizes into the perfect finishing touch. It’s easy to prep, mostly hands-off, and makes enough to feed the whole family with leftovers for sandwiches the next day.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Ground beef
- Buttery round crackers
- Onion, Green bell pepper
- Eggs
- Milk
- Salt, Black pepper, Garlic powder, Onion powder
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Ketchup, Yellow mustard
- Brown sugar
Step By Step Directions
- Lightly grease the inside of your slow cooker or line it with parchment paper strips or foil to make removing the finished meatloaf much easier.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, crushed crackers, diced onion, diced green bell pepper, eggs, milk, seasonings, and shredded cheddar cheese. Mix gently until everything is just combined.
- Shape the mixture into a loaf and place it into the prepared slow cooker.
- Stir together the ketchup, brown sugar, and yellow mustard until smooth. Spread half of the glaze over the top of the meatloaf.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 5 to 6 hours or HIGH for 3 to 4 hours, until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
- Carefully drain off any excess grease. Spread the remaining glaze over the meatloaf, cover, and cook for another 10 to 15 minutes.
- Let the meatloaf rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Meatloaf
The biggest secret to tender meatloaf is mixing gently. Once everything is combined, stop mixing. Overworking the meat creates a dense, tough loaf.
Dice the onions and peppers as finely as possible so they become soft during cooking and blend seamlessly into each bite.
If your slow cooker tends to collect grease, carefully drain it before adding the second layer of glaze. This keeps the glaze thick and flavorful instead of becoming watery.
Using parchment paper strips or a sling made from aluminum foil makes removing the finished meatloaf much easier without it falling apart.
Storage
Store leftover meatloaf in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat individual slices in the microwave or warm them in a 325°F oven until heated through.
For longer storage, freeze cooked slices for up to 2 months. They’re perfect for quick lunches or easy weeknight dinners.
More Awesome Meatloaf Recipes
- Big Mac Meatloaf
- Sheet Pan Meatloaf
- Turkey Meatloaf
- Classic Meatloaf Recipe
- See all our best meatloaf recipes!
How to Make Crock Pot Meatloaf
Crock Pot Meatloaf Recipe
Equipment
- Slow cooker
- Large mixing bowl
- Small mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
Meatloaf
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 1 sleeve buttery round crackers crushed
- 1 small onion finely diced
- ½ green bell pepper finely diced
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
Glaze
- ½ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
Instructions
- Lightly grease the inside of a large slow cooker or line it with parchment paper strips or aluminum foil to make lifting the meatloaf out easier.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, crushed crackers, onion, green bell pepper, eggs, milk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and cheddar cheese. Mix gently until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
- Shape the mixture into a loaf and place it in the prepared slow cooker.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the ketchup, brown sugar, and yellow mustard until smooth.
- Spread half of the glaze evenly over the top of the meatloaf.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 5 to 6 hours or HIGH for 3 to 4 hours, until the meatloaf reaches an internal temperature of 160°F.
- Carefully drain any excess grease from the slow cooker if needed.
- Spread the remaining glaze over the meatloaf. Cover and cook for an additional 10 to 15 minutes to warm the glaze.
- Carefully remove the meatloaf from the slow cooker and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing.
Notes
- Avoid overmixing the meat mixture to keep the meatloaf tender.
- Finely dice the onion and bell pepper so they soften completely during cooking.
- Parchment paper strips or a foil sling make removing the meatloaf much easier.
- Allow the meatloaf to rest before slicing so it holds together better.
- Ground turkey can be substituted for the ground beef.
- Breadcrumbs can be used in place of the buttery crackers.
- Colby Jack cheese works well instead of cheddar.
- For a smoky variation, substitute barbecue sauce for the ketchup in the glaze.
Nutrition
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Tools We Love
- Large Slow Cooker – I’ve had this slow cooker since my husband and I were married in 2003!
- Basting Brushes – I recently switched to silicone basting brushes after my old regular basting brush fell apart and left lots of “hair” in my dish. Yuck.
Other Great Slow Cooker Dinners
- Stuffed Cabbage Soup
- Slow Cooker Beef Ragu
- Slow Cooker Pork Chops
- Slow Cooker Chili Recipe
- See all our best crock pot recipes!
Substitutions
This recipe is easy to customize with whatever you have available.
- Swap ground turkey for a lighter version.
- Use plain breadcrumbs if you don’t have buttery crackers.
- Replace the cheddar with Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, or Pepper Jack cheese.
- Substitute barbecue sauce for the ketchup glaze for a smoky twist.
Variations
Want to change things up? Here are a few delicious ideas:
Bacon Wrapped: Wrap strips of bacon around the loaf before cooking.
Extra Cheesy: Mix in additional shredded cheddar or sprinkle some over the top during the last few minutes.
Spicy: Add diced jalapeños, crushed red pepper flakes, or a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce.
Mushroom Gravy: Skip the glaze and serve the finished meatloaf with brown gravy and sautéed mushrooms.
Mini Meatloaves: Divide the mixture into two or three smaller loaves for slightly faster cooking and easy portioning.
What to Serve with Crock Pot Meatloaf
This hearty dinner pairs well with all your favorite comfort food sides like creamy mashed potatoes, stove top mac and cheese, roasted broccoli, instant pot corn on the cob, and quick yeast dinner rolls.
And don’t forget the leftovers. Thick slices make incredible meatloaf sandwiches with toasted bread and extra ketchup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you cook meatloaf in a slow cooker?
Absolutely! Slow cooking keeps the meatloaf moist and tender while developing plenty of flavor. It’s an excellent alternative to baking it in the oven.
How do I know when meatloaf is done?
The safest way is to use a meat thermometer. Ground beef should reach an internal temperature of 160°F before serving.
Why is my crock pot meatloaf falling apart?
Usually this happens because it wasn’t allowed to rest after cooking. Letting it sit for 5 to 10 minutes helps it firm up and slice cleanly. Using enough binder ingredients like eggs and crackers also helps hold everything together.
Can I prepare this ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble the meatloaf the night before, cover, and refrigerate. In the morning, place it into the slow cooker, add the glaze, and start cooking.
Can I freeze meatloaf?
Yes. Freeze cooked slices in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for an easy dinner that the whole family will happily gather around, this Crock Pot Meatloaf checks all the boxes. It’s hearty, comforting, incredibly tender, and practically cooks itself while you go about your day. Once you try meatloaf in the slow cooker, you may never want to make it in the oven again.
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