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Slow Cooker Meatloaf Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 72 reviews

This Slow Cooker Meatloaf recipe offers a moist, flavorful twist on a classic comfort food. Made with ground beef, diced onions and peppers, and a tangy ketchup-based sauce, it cooks gently in a slow cooker for hours, resulting in a tender, richly seasoned loaf that’s perfect for an easy, hands-off dinner.

Ingredients

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Meatloaf Base

  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 cup diced white onion
  • 1 cup diced red or green bell pepper
  • ⅓ cup ketchup
  • ¼ cup milk
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp pepper
  • 25 saltine crackers (crushed)
  • 2 lbs ground beef (7% – 10% fat)

Sauce

  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 1 Tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tsp mustard
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare meatloaf mixture: In a large bowl, combine the eggs, diced white onion, diced bell pepper, ⅓ cup ketchup, milk, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Crush the saltine crackers and add them to the bowl. Mix everything thoroughly using clean hands. Add the ground beef last and gently mix just until the ingredients are combined, being careful not to overmix.
  2. Shape the meatloaf: Spray a 6-quart slow cooker with non-stick spray. Shape the meat mixture into a loaf directly on the bottom of the slow cooker, ensuring it holds its form without falling apart. If the mixture seems too wet, incorporate additional crushed saltine crackers to help bind it.
  3. Cook the meatloaf: Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW heat for 5 to 6 hours. Avoid lifting the lid during cooking to maintain consistent temperature and moisture.
  4. Remove excess fat: After cooking, carefully scoop out and discard any accumulated fat from the slow cooker to keep the meatloaf leaner.
  5. Make and add sauce: In a small bowl, combine 1 cup ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce if using. Spoon this sauce evenly over the meatloaf in the slow cooker.
  6. Heat the sauce: Cover and continue cooking on LOW for an additional 30 minutes to warm the sauce and allow flavors to meld.
  7. Serve: Once finished, serve the meatloaf warm alongside your favorite sides and enjoy this comforting meal.

Notes

  • Use 7% to 10% fat ground beef for optimal moisture balance; leaner beef may result in a drier meatloaf.
  • Do not overmix the meat to keep the meatloaf tender and prevent it from becoming dense.
  • Keeping the slow cooker lid closed during cooking preserves moisture and ensures even cooking.
  • If you desire a thicker sauce topping, simmer the sauce separately before adding it to the meatloaf.
  • Leftover meatloaf can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
  • Adjust seasoning such as salt and pepper according to taste preferences.

Keywords: slow cooker meatloaf, easy meatloaf, comfort food, ground beef meatloaf, slow cooker recipes

Find it online: https://flavorsbymaya.com/slow-cooker-meatloaf-recipe/