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.
Want to make more magic in your crockpot? Stay up to date and subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Tik Tok, and YouTube.
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.
Brit says
How long would it take in an instant pot?
Sarah Olson says
Unsure, I’ve never tried. I apologize.
AP says
Can you make it with 1 lb meatloaf?
Sarah Olson says
I have not tested. I’m unsure if the meatloaf will be overcooked by the time the potatoes are done.
Jan says
1/7 cup of milk?
Sarah Olson says
It should be 1/4 cup milk. There was a mistake when we changed over the recipe card recently. THANK YOU!
Veronica Stankovixh says
Hello. I just noticed that my crock pot wasn’t on, I think my plug got out of the socket. Anyhow, it’s been supposedly cooking for 3 hours. I’m not sure if it was cut off for the entire time. Could I switch this to high and if so how long would you suggest?
Sarah Olson says
My guess is 3.5 hours on high. Though I would be worried that the meat may have gone bad in that time.
Victor says
You are the greatest thing since sliced bread thank you for making these yummy recipes for a single guy living alone like me there great!
Lynne says
Making it now put on crock pot bottom
Carrots and squash added mini peppers and
Brown sugar ketchup and Worcestershire sauce on top.
Can’t wait to try it
Maria says
Will this freeze well?
Sarah Olson says
I think the meat will go great. Unsure about the potatoes.
Jeannie Pascuzzi says
Hi Sarah !,
We love a good meatloaf in this house. I’m cooking for 2. Can I use 2 -3 potatoes instead of 5 ? Or do you have a better suggestion ? Thanks !
FLORINA G MEDINA says
Thank you so much for sharing your recipes !! I really appreciate it. It help a lot for busy mothers!! God Bless you!
Bill Jones says
Can I use powered milk instead of whole milk?
I live off grid and normally don’t have milk in frig.
I have a Crock Pot and use the pressure cooker mode
for 50 mins.
Will I have to modify the Recipe to get the same results?
Sarah Olson says
Hi! I think that will work just fine, you won’t even be able to taste it.
Annie says
I’m sorry if this is a repeat question but how long on LOW if I don’t put potatoes in it? Also, I used one cup of oatmeal instead of saltine crackers. Is that ok?
Sarah Olson says
It’s a great question! The potatoes really slow the entire dish down. Here is my meatloaf recipe without potatoes, doesn’t take near as long. Cook on LOW for 5-6 hours. https://www.themagicalslowcooker.com/slow-cooker-meatloaf/
Kathie says
I made this two days ago and it was awesome!!! So easy and all I had to do was make a vegetable and we had dinner…..yummy!!