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Home » Dinner » Hobo Dinner in the Slow Cooker

Hobo Dinner in the Slow Cooker

by Sarah Olson on August 27, 2015 | Updated May 23, 2020 90 Comments

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collage of photos on how to make hobo dinner in slow cooker for pinterest

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.

small meatloaf and cheesy potatoes in foil, in slow cooker

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.

uncooked meatloaf and potatoes in foil in oval slow cooker

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!

close up of hobo dinner in slow cooker

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!

meat loaf and cheesy potatoes in paper tray

Need more ground beef recipes? Here are the best ones from the magical slow cooker:

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close up of hobo dinner in slow cooker

Hobo Dinner in the Slow Cooker

5 from 9 votes
A complete one-pot meal of meatloaf and potatoes reminiscent of old campfire dinners.
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Hobo Dinner
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 5 hours
Total Time: 5 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 671kcal
Author: Sarah Olson

Equipment Needed:

  • Slow Cooker- 6 quart or larger-oval

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
US Customary – Metric

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:

Calories: 671kcal | Carbohydrates: 56g | Protein: 39g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Cholesterol: 208mg | Sodium: 1056mg | Potassium: 1434mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 741IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 269mg | Iron: 6mg
Made this recipe?I want to see your photos! Tag me on Instagram @themagicalslowcooker
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    Filed Under: Beef, Camping, Dinner, Ground Beef, Meatloaf Tagged With: cheese, comfort food, Crock pot, crockpot, dinner, meatloaf, potatoes, slow cooker

    Comments

    1. Linda says

      April 20, 2017 at 8:41 am

      Do you seal the foil on potatoes or leave it open

      Reply
    2. chris says

      March 14, 2017 at 1:11 pm

      My 17 year old son made this while I was at work and I came home to a delicious meal. He even added corn on the cob on top of the potatoes, great addition.

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        March 14, 2017 at 1:27 pm

        That’s awesome. The corn is a great idea, I will have to try that!

        Reply
    3. Candace Stevens says

      February 24, 2017 at 8:45 am

      We are gone for around 8-9 hours at work … do you think this would be okay that long?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        February 24, 2017 at 9:07 am

        I think it would be burnt to a crisp. Maybe this would be a better on the weekend for you? So sorry!

        Reply
    4. Diane says

      January 26, 2017 at 6:03 am

      What happens info you also put the meat loaf in foil?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        January 26, 2017 at 6:10 am

        I haven’t tried. If you do try let us know how it turns out.

        Reply
      • yvonne says

        January 26, 2017 at 10:43 pm

        I always use foil in my Crock-Pot and it didn’t affect my meatloaf cooking time or anything

        Reply
    5. dee says

      January 17, 2017 at 5:42 am

      I use oatmeal in my meatloaf (gluten intolerant). Have you ever tried this? May need more moisture? Thanks

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        January 17, 2017 at 6:12 am

        Hi dee. Usually when I make meatloaf that I am not making for my site, I don’t measure, you can add the oatmeal until it’s the right consistency and it should do fine.

        Reply
    6. Randi says

      January 11, 2017 at 2:06 pm

      I just made this and followed all the instructions to the letter and nothing was cooked through. The meatloaf was pink and the potatoes were all but raw.

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        January 11, 2017 at 2:20 pm

        did you open the lid at all? Meatloaf may be pink because of the ketchup. If the lid was opened even once, the potatoes won’t be done in the amount of time given.

        Reply
      • Suzanne Leigh says

        September 5, 2017 at 2:56 pm

        Mine did not turn out either. Very underdone meat and half cooked potatoes. 4 russet potatoes??? Better make sure they’re VERYsmall. Two potatoes were nearly too much. Had to finish baking the meatloaf in the oven and fried the potatoes in a little oil until they were done. Both took about an extra 1/2 hour.

        Reply
    7. yvonne says

      January 3, 2017 at 5:13 pm

      My meatloaf didn’t slice up well. It turned into more of a meat crumble. Very yummy though. What could be the cause of the crumblyness though?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        January 3, 2017 at 5:30 pm

        Hi Yvonne! Meatloaf can be tricky especially if your meat is more moist or less moist than mine. The meatloaf should hold it’s shape very well before cooking, you can add more crackers if its too wet, or more ketchup if it’s too dry. That’s the only thing I can think of. Also, use fresh meat from the store, thawed meat has a hard time holding together.

        Reply
        • Yvonne says

          January 3, 2017 at 5:35 pm

          Oh okay. Next time I will use fresh beef and probably a leaner beef as well. Thanks for the tip!

          Reply
    8. Vicki says

      December 20, 2016 at 5:59 am

      I use slow cooker liners so I don’t have a big mess to clean up! I am definitely going to try this recipe.

      Reply
    9. Bob Weisskopf says

      November 4, 2016 at 12:37 pm

      Have you tried it without the foil? I think letting the juices meld together might be very tastey

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        November 5, 2016 at 7:42 pm

        I have not. Sometimes meatloaf has mucky stuff around the edges, that may not be good in the potatoes.

        Reply
        • Bob Weisskopf says

          November 5, 2016 at 8:15 pm

          Actually that might be great in the spuds

          Reply
    10. Keith Richardson says

      September 16, 2016 at 1:16 pm

      You could make the meatloaf mixture up ahead of time and freeze it before you go camping. Then it could be used to help keep things cold in the cooler until needed.

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        September 16, 2016 at 1:33 pm

        Such a great idea. And meatloaf does great as a freezer meal, it doesn’t get weird after thawing.

        Reply
    11. Sonnie Schlossmacher says

      August 23, 2016 at 8:54 pm

      I only have a 3.5 quart crock pot can I make this work?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        August 24, 2016 at 8:00 am

        I’m not sure if it would fit. You may be able to put the meat loaf on the bottom flat, then add the potato packet on the top.

        Reply
        • Sonnie says

          August 28, 2016 at 11:04 am

          Would I be able to cut the recipe in half and cook it for less time? If so how long do you think I should cook it for? Sorry I’m new to this whole cooking thing

          Reply
          • Sarah Olson says

            August 28, 2016 at 8:29 pm

            I am unsure how it would do cut in half. I do know that the potatoes can’t take any less cooking time or they won’t get tender.

            Reply
            • Wynn says

              January 2, 2018 at 10:43 am

              For cooking at home, the potatoes could be microwaved for 3 or 4 minutes in a microwave safe dish, prior to being put in the crockpot with a smaller meatloaf, to have both thoroughly cooked and done at the same time. It’s also a great way for using larger cuts of vegetables in slow cooker meals to have them cooked through and tender when the meat is done.

    12. Karen says

      August 14, 2016 at 2:59 pm

      Does the 5 hours on low cook the potatoes so they are soft? This looks so yummy and would be great for one of our fall camping trips!!

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        August 14, 2016 at 6:46 pm

        Yes it does. Make sure to keep the lid on the entire tint or they won’t cook. 🙂

        Reply
    13. Billie says

      July 21, 2016 at 7:28 pm

      Going seven and a half hours on low and the meatloaf is still not done! Turned it to high hoping it’ll cook through!! Why??

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        July 21, 2016 at 9:14 pm

        The meatloaf may be pink from the ketchup. It should be done after that long.

        Reply
    14. Johnny says

      July 19, 2016 at 3:45 am

      This may seem like a dumb question? Where do you plug the crock pot “in” at a camp sight?

      Johnny

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        July 19, 2016 at 7:11 am

        We camp at places with hook ups. Probably would be hard to do while dry camping.

        Reply
        • Johnny says

          July 19, 2016 at 8:36 am

          Thank you. In Ontario, most of the camping is done in provincial parks in dry sites with tents and coleman stoves. There are spots for trailers and I suppose there are hookups for them.

          Reply
    15. Loretta Nave says

      April 22, 2016 at 7:43 am

      I am gone for 10 hours…..has anyone done this and then had their crockpot shift to warm.

      Reply
    16. Kathi says

      April 21, 2016 at 11:20 am

      I only made two changes – the took out the 1/4 cup ketchup and put in 3 tablespoons Mild Salsa. I also changed the crackers to 1/2 cup unseasoned bread crumbs and I used organic Ketchup. I love the potatoes being cooked on the side and like one to the other reviewers said, I did add about 3 carrots cut into 1 1/2″ chunks. Yum on the entire meal.

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        April 21, 2016 at 11:26 am

        Great ideas Kathi! Thanks for sharing.

        Reply
    17. Jennifer says

      March 25, 2016 at 8:24 pm

      This recipe looks great! Any idea if I could cook this on high for a shorter period of time? If so, what would you recommend? Thanks so much for sharing!

      Reply
    18. Whitley says

      February 22, 2016 at 9:43 am

      Will it dry out if left over 5 hours? Like maybe 6? Due to being away from house.

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        February 22, 2016 at 9:57 am

        It may be ok. I would add a tiny bit of water around the meat loaf to help keep it moist.

        Reply
    19. Amanda says

      February 22, 2016 at 8:15 am

      I have a very picky family, Would my own meatloaf recipe work for this as well??

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        February 22, 2016 at 8:41 am

        I think so! I am very picky about my meat loaf, so I understand!

        Reply
    20. Becca says

      February 10, 2016 at 11:17 am

      I forgot to throw this in the crockpot this morning, how long would you cook this in the oven?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        February 10, 2016 at 11:45 am

        I remember I used to cook meat loaf in the oven at 350 for about 45 mins? I think that would be a good starting point, and cook longer if needed.

        Reply
        • Becca says

          February 10, 2016 at 11:49 am

          Ok, i’ll try that, thanks!

          Reply
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