Easy Slow Cooker Meatloaf Recipe
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A true set-it-and-forget-it meal, this Easy Slow Cooker Meatloaf Recipe is an easy way to get dinner on the table with very little fuss and mess. As a matter of fact, the base recipe requires only 7 ingredients, and that is including spices like salt and pepper-it really couldn’t be simpler.
This Easy Slow Cooker Meatloaf Recipe is a great basic recipe to keep at the top of your files but it is also easily customized to make it a little more special for company or to treat your family to an updated classic. It will taste delicious with a side of oven-roasted asparagus.
How To Make Meatloaf In The Slow Cooker
This Slow Cooker Meatloaf is a crowd-pleaser and so easy to make! It slices perfectly for a meal and even better the next day for leftover meatloaf sandwiches, I don’t know about you but I think somehow meatloaf gets even better the next day!
What You Need:
Here’s what you’ll need from the store. The exact amounts are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Kitchen Tools:
Ingredients:
- Ground beef
- Breadcrumbs
- Egg
- Milk
- Onion Powder
- Salt
- Ketchup
Easy Slow Cooker Meatloaf Recipe Tips and Tricks
Can I add customize this recipe?
Yes! You can add in any vegetables you like such as onions and peppers, but I do highly recommend you saute them a bit first to deepen the flavors. You could also substitute some of the ketchup for pureed carrots, tomatoes, or squash to “sneak in” some healthy veggies for your family.
You could also mix in 1/2 to 1 cup of your favorite shredded cheese or parmesan cheese.
Swap the ketchup in the recipe for BBQ sauce for a fresh tangy new flavor profile!
Add a 1/2 cup of precooked bacon pieces along with shredded cheese for a bacon cheeseburger version of this.
Can I cook this on high and make it faster?
I would not recommend doing this as it will overcook your meat and make it rubbery, slow and steady is the way to go.
Can I cook this Easy Slow Cooker Recipe in the oven?
You can, cook at 350 degrees for 35 to 45 minutes.
Can I freeze this meatloaf recipe?
You can premake the loaf and freeze it, place your frozen meatloaf in a slow cooker on low, and increase cooking time to 7-8 hours.
You can also freeze the meatloaf after cooking, I recommend slicing it first and wrapping each piece in plastic wrap before putting in a freezer bag to make easy single serving sizes.
Easy Slow Cooker Meatloaf Recipe
SERVINGS
Equipment
- Large bowl
- Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs ground beef 80 or 85% lean is best
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 lightly beaten egg
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 cup ketchup
Instructions
- Take 3 small pieces of aluminum foil and shape them in to 3 pencil sized pieces and place on bottom of slow cooker. The meatloaf is going to rest on these.
- In a large bowl, combine all ingredients except ketchup and mix well with hands for about 2 minutes.
- Shape meat mixture into a loaf and place in slow cooker on foil pieces
- Cover the meatloaf with ketchup. Rub it in all over, the bottom too.
- Set slow cooker on low and cover. Cook for 3-4 hours.
Nutrition
More Slow-Cooker Recipes
If you enjoyed this slow cooker meatloaf, here are some more easy recipes you can make next!
Tweaked this a bit second time around by adding crackers instead of breadcrumbs, chopped onion and just a little garlic – yum!
I won’t add ketchup to my meatloaf. Do I still need to line tinfoil in the slow cooker ?