Slow Cooker Meatloaf with Baked Potatoes Recipe
This classic Slow Cooker Meatloaf recipe combines ground beef, eggs, diced onion, green bell pepper, and savory seasonings all slow-cooked to tender perfection. Alongside, foil-wrapped Russet potatoes cook on top, making it a simple, hearty, and full meal cooked entirely in the slow cooker. The slow cooking method ensures juicy meatloaf and fluffy baked potatoes without heating the oven.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Total Time: 8 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Meatloaf Ingredients
- 2 lbs. 7% fat ground beef
- 3 large eggs
- 1 small white onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- ⅓ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup milk
- ½ tsp. garlic powder
- 1 tsp. salt
- ½ tsp. pepper
- 25 saltine crackers, crushed
Baked Potatoes
- 5 small to medium Russet potatoes
Instructions
- Mix the Meatloaf Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, eggs, diced onion, diced green bell pepper, ketchup, milk, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and crushed saltine crackers. Mix thoroughly using a spoon or clean hands until the mixture holds together well. Adjust texture as needed by adding more ketchup if too dry or more crackers if too wet.
- Form and Place Meatloaf in Slow Cooker: Shape the meat mixture into a loaf shape and place it directly into the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Prepare Potatoes: Wash and dry the Russet potatoes. Wrap each potato individually in aluminum foil.
- Arrange Potatoes: Place the foil-wrapped potatoes on top of the meatloaf around the sides of the slow cooker.
- Cook Low and Slow: Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on low heat for 8 hours. Avoid lifting the lid during cooking to maintain temperature and cook evenly.
- Serve: After cooking, remove the meatloaf and potatoes from the slow cooker. Slice the meatloaf and serve alongside the baked potatoes with your favorite toppings.
Notes
- Do not open the slow cooker lid during the 8-hour cooking time to ensure even cooking.
- If the meatloaf mixture feels too wet or falls apart, increase the amount of crushed saltines to help bind it.
- Feel free to add your choice of baked potato toppings like sour cream, cheese, bacon bits, or chives for added flavor.
- Using 7% fat ground beef keeps the meatloaf moist but not overly greasy.
Keywords: slow cooker meatloaf, baked potatoes, easy meatloaf recipe, slow cooker recipes, comfort food, ground beef meatloaf
