This Slow Cooker Meatloaf and Baked Potatoes recipe is a game-changer for your weeknight dinners. It’s a hearty, flavorful meal that’s perfect for busy families who want a satisfying dinner without all the fuss.
If you want a one pot chicken meal (with baked potatoes), you will love my Slow Cooker Cornish Game Hens and Baked Potatoes recipe!
Why This recipe works
When it comes to convenience, this slow cooker meatloaf and baked potatoes recipe has you covered. By combining all the ingredients into one pot (including the potatoes), you save time on both prep and cleanup. The meatloaf recipe is my mom’s, which includes bell pepper! The entire house smells amazing while this cooks! The best part is the entire recipe cooks at the same time.
For families with hungry appetites, this recipe is a lifesaver. There are plenty of servings and leftovers can be easily reheated for a quick and delicious meal the next day. Busy weeknights call for simple solutions, and this recipe delivers. If you want just meatloaf, try my classic slow cooker meatloaf recipe.
Recipe Ingredients
- Ground beef: This lean ground beef adds a hearty base to our meatloaf, keeping it moist and flavorful while also being a healthier option. If you want to use turkey, try my slow cooker turkey meatloaf recipe.
- Eggs: Act as a binding agent, helping to hold the meatloaf together.
- White onion (diced): Adds a nice flavor while also providing a bit of texture and sweetness.
- Green bell pepper (diced): Gives a pop of color and a refreshing crunch and adds so much flavor!!
- Ketchup: Not only adds a touch of sweetness but also helps to keep it moist and tender as it cooks.
- Milk: Adds moisture to ensure the meatloaf stays juicy and delicious.
- Seasonings: Garlic powder, salt, and pepper are the only seasonings you need to finish off the delicious flavor of this meatloaf.
- Saltine crackers (crushed): An additional binder and filler that also helps to absorb excess moisture and hold everything together.
- 5 Russet potatoes (small to medium sized): When baked alongside the meatloaf, they become wonderfully tender and fluffy, the perfect side to complete the meal. (See the full recipe in the recipe card below.)
Step-by-Step Directions
Step One – In a large bowl add the meat, eggs, onion, bell pepper, ketchup, milk, garlic powder, salt, pepper and crushed saltines. Mix together with a spoon or clean hands.
Step Two – Form the meat mixture into a loaf in the slow cooker.
Step Three – Wash and dry the potatoes and wrap each of them in foil.
Step Four – Place the potatoes on top of the meatloaf toward the sides of the crockpot
Step Five – Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours without opening the lid during the cooking time.
Step Six – Slice the meatloaf and serve along side the baked potatoes with your favorite toppings.
How to Serve
- Serve slices of slow cooker meatloaf alongside the baked potatoes topped with all your favorite fixings, like sour cream, chives, and shredded cheese (you really don’t need anything else!)
- Pair your crockpot meatloaf recipe with additional side dishes such as steamed green beans, roasted carrots, slow cooker southern fried corn, or a crisp garden salad for a well-rounded meal.
- Transform leftovers into a delicious meatloaf sandwich by layering slices between two pieces of bread with lettuce, tomato, and a smear of mayo or mustard.
- Turn leftovers into a hearty breakfast hash by dicing up meatloaf and potatoes, then sautéing them with onions and bell peppers. Serve with a fried egg on top for a protein-packed morning meal.
Recipe FAQs
Absolutely! Ground turkey is a leaner option and works just as well in this recipe. Just be sure to adjust the seasonings to your taste preferences.
If you don’t like cooking with foil it can certainly be skipped. The potatoes will be a little wetter but will still taste great.
Yes. Allow the leftover meatloaf to cool completely, then wrap it tightly in aluminum foil or store it in an airtight container before freezing. It should keep for up to three months. Just be sure to thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
If your meatloaf turns out too moist (won’t hold together while forming the loaf), try adding additional cracker crumbs to absorb some of the excess moisture.
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Slow Cooker Meatloaf and Baked Potatoes
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs. 7% fat ground beef
- 3 large eggs
- 1 small white onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1/3 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1/2 pepper
- 25 saltine crackers, crushed
- 5 Russet potatoes (small to medium sized)
Instructions:
- In a large bowl add the meat, eggs, onion, bell pepper, ketchup, milk, garlic powder, salt, pepper and crushed saltines.. Mix together with a spoon or clean hands. If meatloaf seems to wet to form into a loaf add more cracker crumbs or if too dry add a touch more milk or ketchup.
- Form the meatloaf into a loaf in the slow cooker. Wash and dry the potatoes and wrap each of them in foil. Place the potatoes on top of the meatloaf toward the sides of the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on low for 8 hours without opening the lid during the cooking time.
- Serve and enjoy!
How to Video:
Sarah’s Notes:
- Ground turkey is a leaner option and works just as well in this recipe. Just be sure to adjust the seasonings to your taste preferences.
- Sweet potatoes can be used (and wrapped in foil) instead of russet potatoes.
- If you don’t like cooking with foil it can certainly be skipped. The potatoes will be a little wetter but will still taste great.
- Leftover meatloaf can be froze in slices for easy lunches!
Nutrition Information:
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
Monica says
Can I used a 1/2 lean and half 85% meat?
Sarah Olson says
Yes! Will need to drain at the end of cooking.
Cheryl says
My son has gout, so poultry is what we work with most that doesn’t cause him flares. Could you make this with ground chicken and what would the cooking time be? Most ground chicken is chicken breasts…very worried about it being hard and dry…but they travel for work and use a crockpot a lot….this would be a great meal for them that cooks while they are at work
Jeanette Parra says
Can I mix everything and put in frig. In the crockpot And in morning put potatoes in and turn crockpot on and put pot in holder before leaving work.
Sarah Olson says
Yes, that would work fine. I do that often. One tip I have is to let the slow cooker sit on the counter for about 10 mins to get the chill off of it, so it won’t crack.
Ruth says
Sounds delicious! I’m concerned about the foil coming in contact with the meat. Is it safe? Is there something else to wrap the potatoes in or leave them unwrapped?
Anonymous says
Si I started out with two pounds of beef and have no idea where it went. The meat thinned out and has dents where the potatoes sat on it??? What the heck??
Sarah Olson says
That could happen if your meat is wetter than normal. I’m sorry that happened.
Jennifer says
Can u cook on medium or high to reduce the time
Sarah Olson says
I have not tried, has anyone else cooked this on high?
JoAnne Whitney Sims says
Hi, slow cooker meatloaf with baked potatoes sounds amazing. How many ounces should each potatoes be so they are all done in the 8 hours? Thank you.
Tanya Akiva says
Can i substitute the milk with water?
Michelle Annette Dean says
Just got done prepping this tonight for easy throw together in the morning! I just chopped my pepper and onion and mixed my seasonings with my eggs and milk and crushed my crackers. I also went ahead and wrapped my potatoes! That way tomorrow I can just mix it and form it and toss it and go! I’m sooooooo busy in the mornings! So excited to try this!
Sarah Olson says
I’ve done the same thing! let me know how you like it.
Jeremy E. says
Thanks for this recipe Sarah! I’m trying it tomorrow night for the wife and kids for the first time. I have a feeling it’s going to be a hit though!
Sarah Olson says
I hope you love it!
Pam says
Can you use insta pot
Sarah Olson says
I have not tried. I would look up similar recipes online to see if there is an pressure cooker version.
Anonymous says
My wife found a recipe at This old gal site for the instant pot. It does call for a special pan, like a small bundt cake pan. She got one on the internet.
Kris Preiss says
I have made several of your recipes so far and love them all, your making me a better cook and I wasn’t to bad to start with 🙂 Thank you!!! Keep them coming.
Dayle Johnson says
Looking forward to weekly newsletter.