Have you ever heard of a Hobo Dinner before? It’s usually an individual complete meal for one in a foil pack cooked in a campfire, oven or barbecue grill.
Since I am all about bringing my slow cooker camping, I thought I would try making a Slow Cooker Hobo Dinner.
We traveled to South Twin Lake Resort for 4 nights this last week. Such a beautiful place to visit, there is a cold water channel right behind our campsite, and just a block away is the resort and lake. We spent our days hiking, swimming, and fishing. For our dinners I made 4 different slow cooker recipes this trip, an easy clam chowder, steak burritos, baked potatoes (to go with grilled steak), and this Hobo Dinner.
For this recipe I made a 1 pound meatloaf (I halved my favorite 2 pound meatloaf recipe.) I put the meatloaf on one side of the slow cooker. Then I made a foil “bowl” by taking a foot or so of foil and shaping it into a rounded shape (just one layer thick). In that foil bowl I tossed together potatoes, sliced onions, seasonings and drizzled melted butter over it. Cooked all of that on LOW for 5 hours, then topped the potatoes with cheese. An easy complete meal! And I do have to say meatloaf and potatoes are one of my most favorite meals to eat. Pure comfort food!
Cooked all of that on LOW for 5 hours, then topped the potatoes with cheese. An easy complete meal! And I do have to say meatloaf and potatoes are one of my most favorite meals to eat. Pure comfort food!
Need more ground beef recipes? Here are the best ones from the magical slow cooker:
- Slow Cooker Shipwreck Stew
- Slow Cooker Land Your Man Baked Beans
- Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak
- Slow Cooker Taco Meatloaf Stuffed Peppers
- Slow Cooker Texas Trash Beef and Bean Dip
- Slow Cooker Porcupine Meatballs
- Slow Cooker Hamburger Hash
Want to make more magic in your crockpot? Stay up to date and subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube.
Hobo Dinner in the Slow Cooker
Equipment Needed:
Ingredients:
Meatloaf Ingredients
- 1 lb. 10% fat ground beef
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup white onion diced
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. pepper
- 1/7 tsp. onion powder
- 15 Saltine crackers crushed
For the potatoes
- 4 small russet potatoes sliced
- 1/2 cup white onion sliced
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. onion powder
- 1/4 tsp. pepper
- 3 Tbsp. butter melted
- 1 cup sharp cheese shredded; add at the end
For Serving
- ketchup for topping meatloaf
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, combine the meatloaf ingredients, be careful not to over mix.
- Shape the meatloaf on one side of the slow cooker, trying to keep the meatloaf from touching the sides.
- Make a foil "bowl" out of a foot or so of foil.
- Shape it next to the meatloaf.
- Add the potatoes and onions.
- Season the potatoes and onions with the salt, pepper, and onion powder; toss them by hand.
- Drizzle over the melted butter.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 5 hours. DO NOT OPEN THE LID WHILE THIS IS COOKING, or the potatoes will not get tender.
- After the cooking time is up add the cheese on top of the potatoes, and cover for about 5 minutes more or until the cheese is melted.
- Add ketchup to the top of the meatloaf and serve.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition Information:
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
Nicole says
I have made these several times over the fire, but have balled up the meat and put it in foil as well. I think this will be on my list for the week. 🙂
brandee says
Going to try about 3 hours on high and see what happens
Jpeters says
Did it still turn out alright??
bella says
3 hours i dont think is good. slow cooking must be slow so at least 4 or 5 znd after one hour either use low or zutomatic for at least 5 hours
cookie75 says
great recipe for summer camping and busy winter days!!
Anonymous says
Please keep sending us more crockpot dinner
Lynn says
Thanks for sharing!
Carrie @Frugal Foodie Mama says
Love this! I don’t think I have ever tried making a hobo meal before, but I love that you did this in the slow cooker. 🙂
Catherine says
I think this is just the best idea…it’s a perfect meal for the family and so convenient in the slow cooker. Delish! xo, Catherine
Sheena @ Hot Eats and Cool Reads says
This is such a perfect slow cooker meal! I know we’d love it! Perfect for camping too 🙂
Grandma Kc says
It looks delicious. I think it is great that you take your slow cooker camping. Makes everything easier (and tastier!)
Michele says
What a great idea to cook the potatoes as well as the meatloaf in the slow cooker! Great way to cook an entire meal.
Mary says
Looks delicious!
Lisa - Blogghetti says
I love making hobo dinners – camping or on the grill at the house. I’ve made it in the crockpot, as well but in our hobo dinners we add carrots with the potatoes and onions. I’ve never added cheese – might have to do so next time. Now, I am in the mood for this!!
bella says
was there no liquid in dish meat not sticking to cooker pls reply as interested to ma,e this
Sarah Olson says
The meatloaf had some juices that came off of it, so it didn’t stick. I wouldn’t use any meat under 10% fat or it would probably stick. 🙂