Crock Pot Meatloaf Recipe

Meatloaf is one of the most popular comfort food recipes out there, but have you ever considered making it in your Crock Pot? I can’t believe it took me so many years to give it a try, but now that I have, I doubt that I make it the traditional way ever again.

Making meatloaf in a slow cooker has a couple of big advantages: First it keeps the meatloaf moist and frees up your oven for other recipes. Not to mention that you don’t have to worry about opening the oven to check the meatloaf to see if it is ready.

But one of the main reasons that I love making meatloaf this way is because it’s nearly foolproof. You can prepare it in the morning, set it in your slow cooker, and come back to a hearty meal ready to eat.

The slow, steady heat ensures that the meat stays juicy, and the sauce has time to develop its sweet and tangy flavor. But there are a few tricks to getting it to turn out perfect every time.

Make A Foil Sling

One of the keys to making Crock Pot Meatloaf is creating a way to lift it out easily without it falling apart. Most of us don’t have a long enough spatula that will fit and lift it safely out of the pot.

That’s where the foil sling comes in. For this recipe, you’ll cut two pieces of heavy-duty foil and crisscross them in the bottom of your slow cooker. These strips act as handles that allow you to lift the meatloaf out in one piece when it’s done cooking.

The foil also helps with cleanup. Since the meatloaf releases juices as it cooks, the foil keeps the majority the juices from sticking to the bottom of the slow cooker. Just make sure to spray the foil with non-stick cooking spray to prevent the meatloaf from sticking to it.

In addition to the foil, you can use a slow cooking bag to make clean up even easier. However, be sure to also use the foil to lift the meatloaf up out of the crock pot as the bag alone won’t be sturdy enough.

Tips for Making Moist Meatloaf

The biggest complaint about meatloaf is that it can turn out dry. There are several things that you can do to make sure that your meatloaf turns out perfect every time.

1. Don’t overmix: When combining the ingredients, mix just until everything is combined. Overmixing can make the meatloaf dense and dry.
2. Use a mix of meats: This recipe combines lean ground beef with pork sausage. The sausage adds flavor and moisture, which helps keep the meatloaf juicy.
3. Add a binding ingredient: The crushed saltines and eggs act as binders, holding the meatloaf together while also adding moisture.
4. Include a sauce: Spreading a sauce over the top of the meatloaf adds a lot of flavor. But it also helps keep the surface from drying out during cooking.

How to Prevent Crock Pot Meatloaf from Falling Apart

One of the most frustrating things about meatloaf is slicing into it and having it crumble into pieces. Although the meat may still taste delicious, there are a few keys to ensure that the meatloaf can easily be sliced after it comes out of the crock pot.

• Let it rest: After cooking, let the meatloaf rest for about 10 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute and the loaf to firm up.
• Shape it well: When forming the meatloaf, press it together firmly but not too tightly. You want it to hold its shape without being too compacted.
• Use the right ratio of ingredients: The combination of beef, sausage, eggs, and crackers creates the perfect texture for a sturdy, easy to slice meatloaf.

Crock Pot Meatloaf Recipe

*Specific measurements and complete recipe instructions are located in a printable recipe card at the bottom of this article. However, be sure to continue to read the tips and tricks to making this recipe below.

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup tomato sauce
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1/3 cup crushed saltines (about 10 crackers)
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon seasoned pepper
• 1-1/2 pounds lean ground beef (90% lean)
• 1/2 pound ground pork sausage

Sauce Ingredients

• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon ground mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

INSTRUCTIONS – Crock Pot Meatloaf

1. Prepare the Slow Cooker:

• Cut two long strips of heavy-duty foil (so it can go from the top of your slow cooker, across the bottom and up the other side). Then place them crisscross in the bottom of a 4 or 5 quart slow cooker, overlapping them on the bottom, center of the pot. These will become the handles to get your meatloaf out of the crock pot in one piece.
• Spray the foil (and exposed bottom of the pot) with non-stick cooking spray.

2. Mix the Ingredients:

• In a large mixing bowl, combine the tomato sauce, beaten eggs, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, onion, crushed saltines, garlic, seasoned salt, and seasoned pepper. Stir until well combined.
• Add the ground beef and pork sausage. Using your hands or a spatula, gently mix until just combined. The meatloaf mixture will be moist.

3. Shape the Meatloaf:

• Form the mixture into a loaf shape. Then place it in the center of the foil strips (that are coated in non-stick cooking spray) in the slow cooker.

Option To Use Slow Cooker Cooking Bag

• *You can also place a slow cooking bag on top of the foil strips in the crock pot and put the meatloaf in the bag. Just be sure to still use the foil strips to help you remove it.

4. Make the Sauce:

• In a small bowl, combine the ketchup, brown sugar, ground mustard, and ground nutmeg. Stir until smooth.
• Brush the sauce evenly over the top of the meatloaf. If you have extra sauce, keep it so you can brush more sauce on the meatloaf half way through the cooking time.

5. Cook the Meatloaf:

• Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 3-4 hours, or until a thermometer inserted into the center of the meatloaf reads 160°F.

6. Remove and Rest:

• Using the foil strips as handles, carefully lift the meatloaf out of the slow cooker and transfer it to a platter.
• Let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

Optional Oven Baking Instructions

If you’d prefer to bake the meatloaf in the oven instead of in your crock pot, here’s how to do it:

Prepare the Pan:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F.
• Spray a loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray or line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

Mix and Shape:

• Prepare the meatloaf mixture and sauce as described above.
• Shape the meatloaf and place it in or on the prepared pan. Spread the sauce over the top.

Bake:

• Bake the meatloaf for 55-65 minutes, or until a thermometer reads 160°F.

Rest and Serve:

• Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

Crock Pot Meatloaf is a favorite in my house because it’s easy to make, cooks evenly, and stays moist. The combination of lean beef and sausage provides the perfect balance of flavor and texture, while the sauce adds a sweet and tangy finish.

Whether you stick to the Crock Pot method or bake it in the oven, this recipe is sure to become a favorite in your home. Give it a try and see for yourself why meatloaf is one of my favorite classic comfort foods.

Did you know that you can make meatloaf in your air fryer too? If you like crispy edges on your meatloaf give this Air Fryer Meatloaf recipe a try.

Enjoy! Mary

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