Slow Cooker Meatloaf and Baked Potatoes
121 CommentsUpdated Feb 13, 2026
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This Slow Cooker Meatloaf and Baked Potatoes recipe is a game-changer for your weeknight dinners. 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, or Pulled Pork and Sweet Potatoes.
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 house smells amazing while this cooks! If you want just meatloaf, try my classic slow cooker meatloaf recipe.
Magic Meatloaf & Potatoes Ingredients
This recipe combines a hearty meatloaf with baked potatoes—all in one slow cooker:
- Russet potatoes – Wrapped in foil and cooked right on top
- Ground beef – Lean, perfect for slow cooking
- Eggs, ketchup, and milk – For binding and moisture
- Onion & green bell pepper – Classic flavor base
- Saltines – Crushed, holds the meatloaf together
- Seasonings – Garlic powder, salt, and pepper
Cook’s Tips and Variations
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 wrapped in foil instead of russets.
Prefer not to use foil? You can simply place the potatoes on top of the meatloaf unwrapped—works great too.
Serving & Leftovers
Serve thick slices of meatloaf with one of the baked potatoes and your favorite toppings—like sour cream, chives, or shredded cheese.
Add a side of honey garlic carrots, southern fried corn, or a crisp garden salad for a full plate.
Use leftovers to make a sandwich with lettuce, tomato, and mayo or mustard; turn them into a breakfast hash with onions, peppers, and a fried egg; or freeze meatloaf slices in foil for easy lunches later.
Featured Comment
“Tried this. Super easy and very tasty. Great for a week night. Thank you!!!”
– Greg
Slow Cooker Meatloaf and Baked Potatoes
How to Video
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. 7% fat ground beef
- 3 large eggs
- 1 small white onion,, diced
- 1 green bell pepper,, diced
- ⅓ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup milk
- ½ tsp. garlic powder
- 1 tsp. salt
- ½ tsp. 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. Important Note: The Meatloaf should form into a loaf easily; if the meat mixture is too dry, add more ketchup. If it's too wet and falling apart, add more crackers.
- 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.
- Slice and serve with your favorite baked potato toppings!
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
Try my other Slow Cooker Meatloaf Recipes:
Looking for more hearty slow cooker meals? Try a Complete Meatloaf Dinner or a cozy Slow Cooker Hobo Dinner—both are one-pot classics with meat and veggies.
For a flavorful twist, go with Bacon Barbecue Meatloaf or the nostalgic Lipton Onion Meatloaf, made with dry soup mix.
Want something different? Turkey Meatloaf offers a leaner option, while Venison Meatloaf is perfect if you’ve got wild game on hand.
Can I use Italian bread crumbs and how much instead of 24 saltines?
About 3/4 cup
Thanks. I use Italian bread crumbs too. Was wondering how much!
I always put carrots and potatoes in with my meatloaf and my family loves it.
Can I use 8 at instant pot ?
I have not tried, let me know how it works for you.
Can you cook on high for 6 hours?
I have not tried, it would have to be tested. Most recipes you can switch, but unsure how this one would do on high.
I’ll let you know!!!
It worked and was delicious!!!
Thanks for letting me know!
Can you cook liver and onions with the gravy in a crock pot? If so how long and the ingredients.
I just tried this recipe – it cooked for 8 hours without opening the lid and the my meat is under cooked and the potatoes are not softened. Is there anything you can suggest I try next time?
Hi Shannon, Maybe smaller potaotes. If you continue to have problems with your slow cooker, such as roasts getting tender too. You may need a different crock pot. I’m so sorry this happened.
Oh no, please don’t be sorry. I need to upgrade my crockpot anyways. Now I have an excuse to. I will try this again after I get a new one. Thank you so much.
Can I used a 1/2 lean and half 85% meat?
Yes! Will need to drain at the end of cooking.
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
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.
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.
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?
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??
That could happen if your meat is wetter than normal. I’m sorry that happened.