Slow Cooker Meatloaf

With this Slow Cooker Meatloaf, you can whip up the classic comfort of meatloaf with slow cooker convenience.
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Wow, was it ever a gorgeous fall weekend here in North Carolina!  While I did spend some time outdoors to enjoy the beautiful weather, strangely enough the pleasantly cooler weather made me want to be in the kitchen.  Oh, who am I kidding? ... pretty much any weather {except high-temperature scorchers} makes me want to be in the kitchen.

So I spent most of Saturday doing initial trial runs of three new recipes and whipping up a classic comfort food dinner, including this Slow Cooker Meatloaf.

Until recently, I had never thought of cooking meatloaf in the crockpot.  But I'm so glad to have now discovered this method.

I absolutely adore meatloaf ... especially making meatloaf sandwiches with the leftovers.  But truth be told, I have always had trouble cooking it myself.  Yup.  My meatloaf has always turned out dry.  Way too dry for my liking.

Well, guess what?

Cooking meatloaf in the slow cooker keeps it nice and super moist.  With this cooking method, my dry meatloaf problem is solved!

When cooking meatloaf in the slow cooker, you mix together "traditional" meatloaf ingredients, form them into the bottom of the slow cooker, and cook the meat mixture for about 5 or 6 hours.  Then, pour on the sauce topping for the last 30 minutes or so of cooking time.

Since the slow cooker naturally traps in moisture, the result is a moist and tender meatloaf that's not one bit dry at all.

One thing to point out, though, is that the fat released from the meat during cooking will collect as grease around the edges and on the top of the meat.  Before spreading on the sauce, I spoon off as much of this grease as I can.  The rest stays behind in the crockpot when I lift the meatloaf out to a serving platter. 

So for a classic comfort food dinner, whip up this slow cooker meatloaf, some mashed potatoes, steamed green beans, and maybe even some pumpkin biscuits with pecan-honey butter like I did this past Saturday.  Mmmmm, mmmmm.  We were in comfort food heaven!

Now excuse me, please ... I've got to go make a delicious meatloaf sandwich to bring for my lunch tomorrow.  Made with nice and moist meatloaf, courtesy of my slow cooker!

Slow Cooker Meatloaf

Source:  A Tracey creation, adapted from my Mom's classic meatloaf recipe
(Printable recipe)

Ingredients
Meatloaf:

• 1 1/2 lbs. ground beef (I use 85% lean)
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 3/4 c. milk
• 3/4 c. Italian-style seasoned bread crumbs
• 1 medium-sized onion, diced
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. dried sage
• 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp. black pepper
• 1/2 c. tomato sauce*

Sauce:

• 1/2 c. tomato sauce*
• 1 tsp. yellow mustard
• 1/4 tsp. dried sage
• pinch nutmeg
• pinch black pepper

Directions

1. FOR THE MEATLOAF: Place all meatloaf ingredients in a large mixing bowl; mix until well combined. Place meatloaf mixture in a slow cooker, covering the entire bottom and patting mixture to the shape of the slow cooker.
2. Cook on low setting for 5 to 6 hours.
3. FOR THE SAUCE: Combine all sauce ingredients in a small bowl. Cover and refrigerate while the meatloaf cooks.
4. When the meatloaf has 30 minutes of cooking time remaining, spoon or pour out some of the grease in the slow cooker. Spread the sauce on top of the meatloaf. Turn the slow cooker to high and cook for 30 more minutes.
5. Remove meatloaf to a serving plate (I use 2 spatulas to lift if from the slow cooker) and let stand for 5 minutes before slicing. Slice and serve.

* A total of 1 (8 oz.) can of tomato sauce is used in this recipe.

Note - Change up the seasonings to suit your personal taste ... this recipe is very flexible.

Enjoy!

Please enjoy these other favorite main dishes from The Kitchen is My Playground:

Chicken Parmesan Meatloaf

Easy Meatball Parmesan Casserole

Beef Stroganoff Casserole

Tamale Pie Casserole

Leftover Turkey Noodle Casserole

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