Crock Pot Meatloaf

As a comfort food enthusiast, beef holds a special place in my heart. It's a delicious, flavorful base for all kinds of classic dishes. I love to make my homemade Hamburger Helper with ground beef or make a super tender, easy, and delicious pot roast with a good, old-fashioned chuck roast. There's just so much you can do with beef.

You may ask yourself why you would make an already easy, basic recipe like meatloaf in the crock pot. That's a good question. Here's the answer: The low heat and longer cooking time of the crock pot cooks the meatloaf to tender, juicy perfection without any danger of drying it out!

Crock Pot Meatloaf

Here's the beauty of this crock pot meatloaf with glaze. you can whip up the entire recipe in the morning and let your slow cooker work its magic while you're busy with your day. All you need to do in the evening is add the glaze, and dinner is served! I know your family will love this easy crock pot meatloaf recipe.

Why You'll Love This Crock Pot Meatloaf

This recipe is quick, easy, and delicious. That's already the trifecta of any recipe, but if you need more reasons to love it, I have them right here.

• Basic Ingredients: This is a classic meatloaf recipe, so it's easy to shop for the ingredients.
• Easy to Make: Like most meatloaf recipes, this one involves a little mixing, and then the crock pot does the rest.
• Kid-Friendly: With no exotic spices and a sweet ketchup, mustard, and brown sugar glaze, this is a recipe that any kid will love.
• Versatile: Meatloaf pairs with a wide variety of vegetables and side dishes.
• Perfect for Meal Prep: Meatloaf freezes well, making it ideal for meal prepping.

Crock Pot Meatloaf Ingredients

This recipe uses simple, basic ingredients you can find in your kitchen or at your local grocery store. Everything you need to make it is listed right here, but you can find the exact amounts in the recipe card at the end of the post.

• Ground Beef: Ground beef is the classic meat for homemade meatloaf. However, you could use a 50/50 mix of ground beef and pork.
• Ritz Crackers: Ritz crackers help bind the meatloaf mixture together and adds a subtle buttery flavor.
• Eggs: Eggs work with the crackers to bind the meatloaf together and add more moisture.
• Milk: Milk adds moisture to the meatloaf to keep it from drying out.
• Ketchup, Yellow Mustard, and Worcestershire Sauce: Mixed into the meatloaf, this combination adds sweet and tangy flavor and more moisture to the dish.
• Salt, Black Pepper, and Minced Garlic: A classic meatloaf combination, the salt and pepper accentuate the other flavors in the meatloaf, and the minced garlic adds an earthy, slightly sweet, and pungent flavor that works well with the sweetness of the other ingredients.
• Lipton Onion Soup Mix: My secret ingredients. Lipton onion soup adds more depth of flavor than simply adding diced onions to the meatloaf.
• Ketchup, Mustard, and Brown Sugar: These ingredients create the classic sweet and tangy meatloaf glaze we all know and love.

How To Make Crock Pot Meatloaf with Glaze

Making this meatloaf is no more difficult than the traditional oven method. The hardest part is really waiting for it to finish cooking!

The recipe overview is listed here, but you can find the exact instructions in the recipe card at the end of the post.

1. Mix the meatloaf ingredients with clean hands in a large bowl until just combined.
2. Shape the meat into an oval shape and place into a crock pot with foil lining the bottom.
3. Cover and cook until cooked through.
4. 30 minutes before the meatloaf is done, mix the glaze ingredients in a bowl, cover the meatloaf with it, and continue cooking.
5. Slice and serve while hot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Serve With

This crock pot meatloaf with glaze is a hearty and flavorful dish you can pair with various sides to complement its taste and texture. Here are some of my go-to sides.:

• Mashed potatoes: This creamy comfort food may be the perfect pairing for meatloaf. You can easily make them in the crock pot alongside the meatloaf for a hands-off meal.
• Honey-glazed carrots: These sweet and savory carrots are a simple side dish perfect for a busy weeknight meal. They are easy to make in the oven or a slow cooker.
• Mac and cheese: This kid-friendly favorite is another excellent option for a comforting side dish. You can use a boxed mix or make a super cheesy homemade version.
• Cheesy scalloped potatoes: Are one of my favorites and perfect for special occasions. It's rich and flavorful and pairs well with the savory meatloaf.
• Garlic bread: This classic side dish is always a crowd-pleaser. You can make it with a loaf of French bread or in a sheet pan.
• Roasted vegetables: Roasting vegetables bring out their natural sweetness and caramelize them slightly, creating a delicious contrast to the savory meatloaf. Brussels sprouts, carrots, baked potatoes, onions, and green beans are all great options.

Storage

Refrigerate your meatloaf as soon as it's cool enough to do so to maximize its freshness and flavor. It also freezes very well, so you can make it ahead of time and store it for future dinners.

To reheat the meatloaf, bake it at 350 in a covered dish until heated through.

Refrigerator: Store for up to four days in an air-tight container.

Freezer: Wrap the meatloaf tightly in a double layer of plastic wrap and a layer of foil and store for up to 3 months.

Some More Comfort Food Recipes

If you enjoy meatloaf, you'll definitely want to explore more of my simple and tasty crock pot dinner recipes, ideal for busy weeknights.

Did you make this recipe? Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating below. Then follow me on Facebook and Pinterest! Please share your favorite recipes or ask questions in my Facebook Group.