Looking for a delicious meatloaf with great flavor? This slow cooker meatloaf recipe is the perfect solution for busy days! With minimal prep and the convenience of a slow cooker, you can enjoy a juicy and flavorful meatloaf without any fuss.
The Best Freezer Friendly Slow Cooker Meatloaf Recipe
In this easy crockpot meatloaf recipe, you will make enough for your entire family or have leftover meatloaf that you can freeze for later. The slow cooking method is my favorite way to make meatloaf. As always, I like to double or triple this classic meatloaf recipe and throw a few in the freezer for busy weeknights.
How to Make Meatloaf in a Slow Cooker
This classic comfort food is a simple recipe made with lean meat, or whatever you have on hand. I’ve even made traditional meatloaf with ground turkey. These are the steps I used to make this delicious meal this time around. See the full recipe below.
- Place lean beef in a large mixing bowl and add 6 eggs to the meat mixture.
- Pour in 6 cups of old-fashioned oatmeal or bread crumbs into the large bowl.
- Chop 4-6 cups of fresh veggies. Whatever you have on hand is just fine.
- Pour the 4-6 cups of chopped vegetables into the large bowl. I added bell peppers, zucchini, and mushrooms. Onions would be great, too.
- Add in your desired spices. I used garlic powder, salt/pepper, and parsley
- After that, blend your slow cooker meatloaf ingredients into a formed loaf and place it in a loaf pan if you want to use the oven, or into the bottom of the slow cooker.
- If you don’t use all of the meat mixture, bag the additional meatloaf.
- Cook on a low setting for four to six hours in a large slow cooker until the internal temperature is 160 degrees.
Ingredients in Crockpot Meatloaf
This easy meatloaf doesn’t take a lot of hard work and the best part is it uses very few ingredients making dinner time simple. This is a great way to make a comforting homemade meal.
- 6 lbs lean ground beef
- 6 eggs
- 6 cups of old-fashioned oatmeal or bread crumbs
- 4-6 cups of cut of vegetables – I cram as many vegetables as I can into this yummy meatloaf.
- Garlic powder
- teaspoon salt
- pepper
- Parsley
Optional tangy glaze:
Mix 1/4 cup of Worcestershire sauce or beef broth, 1 tablespoon of brown sugar, and a can of tomato paste in a small bowl and pour it on top of the meatloaf.
Optional additions to change the flavor next time:
- 1/4 of a cup of milled flax
- dry onion soup mix
- cooked onions
- apple cider vinegar
- Dijon mustard
- barbecue sauce
Pro Tips and Tricks for the Best Crockpot Meatloaf
- This is a great recipe, but it can become your favorite meatloaf recipe with a few tips and tricks.
- If you’re baking this in the oven, cover it with aluminum foil for the first 45 minutes, then uncover it for the last 15 minutes.
- It is not necessary to use cooking spray.
- Substituting with almond flour instead of oatmeal is a great option for a low carb meatloaf. Although, oats provide a more tender meatloaf as an end result.
- I make a large pot of brown rice, as well as steamed broccoli, as our side items.
- Serve with these Garlicky Green Beans
Frequently Asked Questions for Slow Cooker Meatloaf
These are some of the most commonly asked questions about this easy slow cooker meatloaf recipe.
How long does it take to cook a meatloaf in the crockpot?
It takes four to six hours in the crockpot or one hour in the oven to make the best meatloaf recipe.
What is the secret to juicy meatloaf?
Nobody likes dry meatloaf! You can soak the breadcrumbs or oats in milk or beef broth before using them to retain moisture and get a juicy meatloaf. It’s also important to let the meatloaf rest after cooking to allow the natural juices to absorb.
What is the best way to freeze this crockpot meatloaf?
Wrap your meatloaf tightly with aluminum foil and place it in a freezer bag either before or after cooking. Defrost the meatloaf in the refrigerator before reheating.
Other Easy Slow Cooker Meals Your Whole Family Will Love
Here are some other great crockpot recipes to make that are sure to become new favorites for your family.
- Slow Cooker Bacon Potato Soup
- Chicken a la King
- Chipotle BBQ Meatballs
- Sweet and Spicy Beef Tacos
- Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice Soup
Easy Slow Cooker Meatloaf Video
You can watch me make this easy Slow Cooker Meatloaf on my YouTube channel.
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Enjoy this easy and healthy Slow Cooker Meatloaf Recipe. You can also easily make two and save one meatloaf for an extra slow cooker freezer meal!
Ingredients
- 6 lbs ground beef
- 6 eggs
- 6 cups of old-fashioned oatmeal
- 4-6 cups of cut of vegetables: bell peppers, mushrooms, zucchini, etc
- Spices per taste (garlic powder, salt/pepper, and parsley)
- Optional: 1/4 of a cup of milled flax
Instructions
- Combine ground beef, eggs, cups of old-fashioned oatmeal, cut veggies, spices, and milled flax. 2.
- Divide mixture in half. Place half of the meatloaf into a slow cooker. Place the other half of the meatloaf into a freezer bag to be stored in the freezer for a busy day’s family dinner.
- Cook it for 4 hours on low.
Notes
The nutrition information listed below is without the flax added into the meatloaf.
Keywords: Meatloaf
