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Home / Comfort Food

The Best Crockpot Meatloaf

4.91
/5
6 hours hours 15 minutes minutes
437 Comments
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By: The Chunky Chefpublished: 01/16/2019

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

The Best Crockpot Meatloaf is a way to enjoy classic comfort food, even on a busy weeknight!  Moist and tender, this meatloaf recipe is always a family favorite! #meatloaf #crockpot #slowcooker #comfortfood #weeknightrecipe #dinnerrecipe #beef #groundbeef #family

The Best Crockpot Meatloaf is a great way to enjoy classic comfort food, with less stress, and dinner is ready when you get home!

The most amazing meatloaf recipe, made so easily in your slow cooker!  No more waiting over an hour for meatloaf after you get home from work.

The Best Crockpot Meatloaf is a way to enjoy classic comfort food, even on a busy weeknight!  Moist and tender, this meatloaf recipe is always a family favorite! #meatloaf #crockpot #slowcooker #comfortfood #weeknightrecipe #dinnerrecipe #beef #groundbeef #family

Amazingly tender meatloaf, made easily in the crockpot!

Do you have a go-to dinner recipe?  My family LOVES my baked mac and cheese, but sometimes I need something that isn’t pasta.  That’s when I turn to this classic meatloaf recipe!

This recipe is amazingly flavorful and easy, thanks to using dried stuffing mix in place of breadcrumbs.  It may seem odd, but all the great seasonings are already in the stuffing mix, so it’s several steps in one!  The glaze on top of the meatloaf is lip-smackingly good; made with ketchup, minced onion, brown sugar and vinegar for a little tang.

Drizzling ketchup sauce over crockpot meatloaf

WHY COOK MEATLOAF IN THE CROCKPOT?

I love cooking meatloaf in the crockpot for two main reasons.  First, a meatloaf cooked in the crockpot is much more harder to “mess up” and be dry or tough.  The cooking process of cooking in the crockpot lends to a much more tender and moist dish.  Secondly, it’s ready when you get home.  Traditional meatloaf takes an hour or more to bake, so if you wait until you get home to bake it, you’ll be having a LATE dinner.  This way, dinner is mostly finished!

Plus, I can generally fit more beef into my crockpot than I can in my meatloaf pan.

How to Make Meatloaf in a Crockpot

Making meatloaf in a crockpot is SO easy!  Using aluminum foil makes for easy cleanup, but it also helps you remove the crockpot so you can broil it at the end.

  1. Line crockpot with foil (heavy duty works best)
  2. Combine meatloaf ingredients, mix well, place in crockpot and shape into a loaf-shape.
  3. Top with glaze, cover, and cook.
  4. Lift out foil and broil to brown the top. 

Glazed meatloaf in the crockpot

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO COOK MEATLOAF IN THE CROCKPOT?

It depends on how big of a loaf you’re making, but for this 2lb meatloaf, it’ll take about 6 hours on LOW, or 3 hours on HIGH.  If you have an instant read meat thermometer, check for doneness by cooking until meatloaf is at 160 F degrees.

CAN THIS MEATLOAF RECIPE BE MADE IN THE OVEN INSTEAD?

Absolutely!  I’ve included oven directions following the recipe at the bottom of this post.

PRO TIPS FOR MAKING THE PERFECT CROCKPOT MEATLOAF:

  1. Use beef with a good ratio of beef to fat.  I like to use 80/20 or 85/15, but no leaner.  Beef that is too lean can lead to a drier meatloaf.
  2. Avoid over-mixing your meat.  You only want to mix until the ingredients have just combined.  Mixing too much will make the meatloaf tough.
  3. Use your hands to mix.  Some people like to use a wooden spoon, but I find your hands are the best tools for the job.  Wear latex/nitrile gloves if you don’t want meatloaf hands.
  4. Use milk if you can.  I love the richness that milk lends to meatloaf.  If you can’t use dairy, you could try substituting with a non-dairy milk, or use water/chicken broth/beef broth.
  5. Add a little bit of onion and the sauce to the meatloaf mixture itself.  They both not only add flavor, but add moisture as well.
  6. Don’t skip the topping!  The sauce is sweet and tangy, and really takes the meatloaf from good to great.

Forkful of mashed potatoes and meatloaf

GREAT DISHES TO SERVE WITH MEATLOAF:

  • Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
  • Cheesy Broccoli
  • Cheesy Bacon Brussels Sprouts
  • Sheet Pan Roasted Vegetables

SHOP THE RECIPE:

  • Slow Cooker – my favorite slow cooker.
  • Heavy Duty Foil – I love using heavy duty foil so it doesn’t rip when you’re removing your meatloaf.
  • Disposable gloves – save yourself some major hand scrubbing!

Recipe previously contributed for Spend With Pennies

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @the_chunky_chef on Facebook and Instagram!

The Best Crockpot Meatloaf is a way to enjoy classic comfort food, even on a busy weeknight!  Moist and tender, this meatloaf recipe is always a family favorite! #meatloaf #crockpot #slowcooker #comfortfood #weeknightrecipe #dinnerrecipe #beef #groundbeef #family

The Best Crockpot Meatloaf

4.91 from 167 votes
Author: The Chunky Chef
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours hours
Total Time: 6 hours hours 15 minutes minutes
Calories: 396
Servings: 8 servings
(hover over # to adjust)
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The Best Crockpot Meatloaf is a great way to enjoy classic comfort food, with less stress, and dinner is ready when you get home!

Ingredients

MEATLOAF

  • 2 lbs. ground beef
  • 1 large yellow onion, finely minced
  • 2 boxes (6 oz each) dried stuffing mix (I like the savory herbs variety)
  • 1 1/3 - 1 1/2 cups whole milk
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 Tbsp glaze (see below)
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

BROWN SUGAR KETCHUP GLAZE

  • 1 1/2 cups ketchup
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar
  • 2 Tbsp finely minced onion
  • 1 Tbsp yellow mustard
  • 2 tsp white vinegar
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions

  • Tear off a large strip of aluminum foil (heavy duty works well), and press it into the bottom and up two of the sides of a 6 quart or larger slow cooker. Spray lightly with non-stick cooking spray, then set aside.
  • Combine all ketchup glaze ingredients in a small mixing bowl and whisk to combine.  Set aside.
  • Add ground beef, minced onion, stuffing mix, milk, eggs, 2 Tbsp glaze, salt and pepper. Use your hands to mix until just combined.
  • Shape into an oval-like shape and place into the foil lined crockpot. Top with ½ cup of the glaze, cover, and cook on LOW for 6 hours.
  • When finished cooking, carefully lift out the meatloaf, using the foil overhang, and place on a baking sheet. Top with 2/3 cup of the glaze and broil until glaze is sticky and bubbly.
  • Serve sliced, with remaining glaze sauce served on the side for drizzling.

Want to save this recipe for later? Click the heart in the bottom right corner to save to your own recipe box!

Chef Tips

TO MAKE IN THE OVEN
Make glaze as directed, and mix meatloaf as directed.  Shape meatloaf, spread with glaze, and transfer to a greased meatloaf pan or baking dish.  Bake in a 350 F degree oven for 60-70 minutes.

Video

Nutrition Disclaimer

The Chunky Chef is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.

Did You Make This?Tag @the_chunky_chef on Instagram and hashtag it #thechunkychef so I can see what you made!
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The Best Crockpot Meatloaf is a way to enjoy classic comfort food, even on a busy weeknight!  Moist and tender, this meatloaf recipe is always a family favorite! #meatloaf #crockpot #slowcooker #comfortfood #weeknightrecipe #dinnerrecipe #beef #groundbeef #family

 

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Meet The Chunky Chef

Hey there! I'm Amanda. Wife, mother, photography nerd, and bacon lover! I believe that delicious meals should be easy to make. Now that you’re here, stay a bit, browse a few recipes, and let’s get cookin’!

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4.91 from 167 votes

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Recipe Rating




  1. Lori Clark says

    Posted on 12/21 at 7:20 pm

    Have you ever baked in the oven? If so how long? Does the stuffing cook? Didn’t take the meat out of the freezer early enough!

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 12/22 at 3:47 pm

      Yes, I bake this in the oven all the time and the stuffing cooks just fine. I have the oven instructions right below the recipe.

      Reply
  2. Cindy says

    Posted on 12/17 at 10:06 am

    I’ve found that as I grow older, two things happened – I don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen cooking…and, the things I used to make all the time don’t come out as good as they used to. Does anyone else have this problem? I’ve been looking for a meatloaf that is quick, easy and good. And this one fills the bill! I tried pork-flavored stuffing mix, cause that’s what I had. But, yes, the herb-flavor will be what I buy next. Thanks!!!

    Reply
  3. Zonibrat says

    Posted on 12/7 at 10:28 am

    This was amazing. I will definitely be making this part of my normal recipe rotation.

    Reply
  4. Ruth says

    Posted on 12/6 at 5:39 am

    Grandson, especially, loves this meat loaf.

    Reply
  5. Ammon Williams says

    Posted on 12/3 at 8:13 pm

    Holy crap this meatloaf hits different! I have made many a meatloaf but the texture and flavors are unlike Any other meatloaf I have tried. The breadcrumb ratio is what makes this a bussin Meatloaf!

    Reply
  6. Kenbo says

    Posted on 11/23 at 8:10 pm

    Made it for the crew at the firehouse..and they LOVED IT! (I did too.) My cooking skills are emergent and this recipe helped me gain confidence!
    Sooooooo delicious!!

    Reply
  7. Nancy L Ferrier says

    Posted on 11/20 at 12:21 pm

    I make this recipe over and over. My boyfriend loves it!

    Reply
  8. Meg Samuels says

    Posted on 11/18 at 4:28 pm

    Great recipe to make around the Holidays! I used 1/2 ground beef half mild pork sausage. And instead of your glaze, I served it with cranberry sauce❤️

    Reply
  9. Karen Voigt says

    Posted on 11/17 at 4:43 pm

    My family love this recipe. I use Italian sausage rather than beef. It still turns out great.

    Reply
  10. Deb says

    Posted on 11/6 at 7:12 pm

    Absolutely delicious! I was planning to use crockpot but ended up making it in the oven. My family loves it!

    Reply
  11. Sue says

    Posted on 10/24 at 7:35 pm

    An easy, great tasting recipe. Thank you!

    Reply
  12. Jon says

    Posted on 10/19 at 1:18 am

    The recipe sounded good & possible,,, until it came to the part at the end. How you’re suppose to “broil” the sauce to make it thick & sticky. HEY this was suppose to be a recipe for a slow cooker/crock pot. Not everyone has the luxury of a broiler in their kitchen.

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 10/19 at 9:00 am

      A lot of slow cooker recipes involve a minor step at the end to get a sticky/crispy texture (which can’t be achieved in a slow cooker). However a great part about cooking is learning to adapt recipes to what you have available to you in your kitchen. I can’t possibly know what every single one of my readers have in their kitchen, and a broiler (which is part of an oven) isn’t an extravagant appliance. Obviously not everyone has an oven, but I would say the vast majority of my readers do, and I have to develop and publish recipes that the vast majority of my readers can replicate at home. You can make it without broiling, it just won’t be a sticky glaze on top. You could also use a butane blowtorch, if you have one of those, or skip it all together.

      Reply
  13. Ciaocaramia says

    Posted on 10/16 at 6:05 pm

    Loved this. I always worry about meatloaf being dry and under seasoned. Nope, not this one! It was perfect. I also appreciated that there was exactly enough sauce to drizzle! Great balance between savory and sweet on the sauce too. I will use this recipe from now on for meatloaf.

    Reply
  14. Danielle says

    Posted on 10/13 at 12:10 pm

    Does this recipe freeze well? I’m planning on making a bunch of slow cooker freezer meals.

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 10/13 at 8:41 pm

      Yes it freezes beautifully 🙂

      Reply
  15. Lisa G says

    Posted on 10/8 at 10:07 pm

    By far the tastiest meatloaf I’ve ever made!! There were not many leftovers the next day 😋

    Reply
  16. Patricia says

    Posted on 10/8 at 12:29 pm

    Best Meatloaf I have ever tasted. This recipe is so easy. Very delish! Everyone needs to try it.

    Reply
  17. Isabel Cooper says

    Posted on 10/6 at 4:00 pm

    What a great recipe. Easy, delicious, fast (2.5 hrs on high) and satisfying! Gave it 4 of 5 cause it was high in calories. Will make it again! Thanks. Oh! Great for leftovers too.

    Reply
    • Brian N says

      Posted on 10/7 at 1:12 pm

      Isabel, this is the dumbest comment I have seen here. “What a great recipe. Easy, delicious – Gave it 4 of 5 cause it was high in calories.”

      If you are worried about calories, move on to the next recipe… eat some lettuce. No one cares about what you think about calories.

      Reply
      • The Chunky Chef says

        Posted on 10/7 at 8:29 pm

        While I never insult anyone’s comment, that struck me as odd too, since it’s not marketed as a healthy meatloaf. But to each their own 🙂

        Reply
  18. Julie A Sawicki says

    Posted on 9/20 at 5:03 pm

    Never thought about making a meatloaf in crockpot. The only I do it now. Delicious

    Reply
  19. Ted says

    Posted on 9/15 at 10:46 am

    Never made meatloaf in my life but decided to give it a shot and surprise the wife after a long day teaching. Followed the recipe and it turned out awesome. Thanks, Amanda you’re awesome.

    Reply
  20. Cathy McCleskey says

    Posted on 9/14 at 8:57 pm

    How bad will it turn out if cooked longer? I am gone from 7 to 6.most crockpot recipes are for 6 hours. I wish there was something I could do

    Reply
    • Amanda says

      Posted on 9/14 at 9:10 pm

      Do you have a crockpot that switches to warm once the cook time is up? That could help solve the problem. I wouldn’t leave it cooking for 11 hours though, you’ll have a really dried out meatloaf. If you don’t have a crockpot that switches to warm, I would suggest using the oven directions 🙂

      Reply
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