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Home / Comfort Food

The Best Crockpot Meatloaf

4.89
/5
6 hours 15 minutes
299 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

4.89 from 105 votes
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours
Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
Calories: 396
Servings: 8 servings
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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 (divided)
  • 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, all but 2 Tbsp of the 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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Recipe Rating




  1. Candy Schaffer says

    Posted on 1/3 at 11:13 am

    I must admit, I didn’t have a lot of hope for this, but only because I love my ‘normal’ meatloaf recipe and so does my husband – but I was looking for one to try in the crockpot and came across this one so figured I’d give it a shot. I followed the instructions exactly and only made two minor changes: I used 1lb lean ground and 1lb chuck, and used cream instead of milk. Otherwise I followed everything as it was….and…oh my goodness! This came out amazing! So easy to throw together and plop in the crockpot and I really was so impressed with how moist and delicious it was! Even my husband said he really liked it – almost as much as my ‘normal’ one – so WINNER! Thank you so much – definitely a keeper!

    Reply
  2. Amber says

    Posted on 12/29 at 1:53 pm

    In crockpot or in the oven this IS the best meatloaf recipe I have ever made or eaten.

    Reply
  3. Ron says

    Posted on 12/22 at 2:34 pm

    Amanda, I smoke alot of Boston Butts and shred it for barbecue. I was thinking of taking the stuffing mix (savory herb), Making it to box instructions and mixing it with my pork. Just wondering what your thoughts were on my brainstorm ?
    I`m fixing the meatloaf for myself and my daughter this weekend for Christmas dinner, she LOVES meatloaf. I`ll drop a comment on how it turns out and if she likes it

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 12/23 at 8:24 pm

      Hi Ron, well I’ve never tried it, but it sure sounds yummy 🙂

      Reply
  4. Ross says

    Posted on 12/20 at 8:15 pm

    Doesn’t say if you use seasoning packets AND bread from boxes or stuffing mix

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 12/21 at 8:49 pm

      My stovetop stuffing mix has the seasoning combined with the bread.

      Reply
  5. Ella says

    Posted on 12/17 at 1:02 am

    I love it

    Reply
  6. Fleur de Beast says

    Posted on 12/16 at 12:10 am

    Thank you! This is a valuable addition to my collection of “ways to feed a starving roller derby skater after practice without requiring said derby skater to think much after practice.” (It’s me. I’m the skater. And tonight was scrimmage. And I was so glad to have this meal to come home to!)

    Reply
  7. Morgan says

    Posted on 12/9 at 11:15 am

    I have made this a few times and it is now a family favorite. Turns out great and very easy to make!

    Reply
  8. Susiecheese says

    Posted on 12/7 at 10:05 pm

    Awesome recipe! Followed it to a tee!
    The sauce is a must!

    Reply
  9. Pat Motley says

    Posted on 12/3 at 1:37 pm

    I am ready to go trying this tonight lotta snow 18• weather I’m in on this one. Love the idea of putting stuffing mix in it. Can hardly wait to try it six hours from now.

    Reply
  10. Stephanie M. says

    Posted on 12/1 at 3:17 pm

    Super excited to try this ….What brand of box stuffing would you recommend?

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 12/1 at 8:55 pm

      I usually use Stovetop stuffing, in the savory herbs variety 🙂

      Reply
      • Fleur de Beast says

        Posted on 12/16 at 12:13 am

        I actually didn’t have any boxed stuffing on hand, so I followed a copycat recipe: chunked up about 6 cups of of old-ish bread, toasted it in the oven for about 10 minutes, seasoned it with some 2 tbsp Italian Seasoning and celery salt and ground pepper, and trusted the minced onion in the meatloaf recipe to do its job. Worked out just fine!

        Reply
  11. Judith says

    Posted on 11/30 at 6:13 pm

    This is very good! It’s -21 C (or 3 degrees below zero F.) in Saskatchewan, Canada by dinner time. Comfort food at its best!

    Reply
  12. Mindy Matthews says

    Posted on 11/30 at 4:28 pm

    I would try it. It looks so good

    Reply
  13. Ric says

    Posted on 11/30 at 1:58 pm

    Love this recipe. Have made it often but only in the oven. I have a copper meatloaf pan with a tray that keeps it off the bottom.

    I use half of the stove top stuffing mix for 1lb ground beef.

    Great recipe !!!

    Reply
  14. Kerrie says

    Posted on 11/27 at 6:15 pm

    Very good. The glaze does make it even better and the meatloaf is a great consistency. I second getting heavy duty foil and I would spray it.

    Reply
  15. Walter says

    Posted on 11/25 at 4:06 pm

    What do you do with all the grease this makes? My wife and I use 93% ground beef and always end up with 6 cups of grease. We use a turkey baster to remove it while its cooking.

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 11/25 at 8:40 pm

      I never have that much grease in my slow cooker, but I would just dispose of it the way you normally get rid of grease.

      Reply
  16. Gina says

    Posted on 11/22 at 9:12 am

    This is delicious. I make this when I go off my diet. LOL

    Reply
  17. Rissa says

    Posted on 11/19 at 1:43 pm

    Amazing! Made it for my husband and I last week and making it again today for the in-laws. I like using the pepper ridge farm stuffing (no added msg like the other stuff) and I made my own glaze with BBQ sauce instead of ketchup. This is a crowd pleaser and so so easy!

    Reply
  18. Lisa says

    Posted on 11/15 at 8:09 pm

    We loved this! First meatloaf I’ve ever made myself. Hubbs won’t do stuffing so I subbed italian seasoned breadcrumbs. Also for the glaze I used a bourbon meatball glaze that worked really well. Hubbs is talking about how easy it would be again, which always means he really likes it!!

    Reply
  19. Jennifer says

    Posted on 11/10 at 8:27 pm

    I love your site, you make cooking easy and relatable using basic ingredients… and your upbeat writing style is very welcoming ~ ty for a great website ~ 👍

    Reply
  20. Laura says

    Posted on 11/9 at 4:42 pm

    I’m looking forward to making this but I don’t have a oven so I can’t broil. Will it still work?

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 11/9 at 8:44 pm

      Yes, it will still cook just fine, but you won’t have the sticky glaze on top.

      Reply
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