Skip the oven and make a delicious, mouth-watering slow cooker meatloaf recipe! All you need are a few classic meatloaf ingredients and you’re set to go. This easy crockpot meatloaf is one to add to your holiday meal plan.
Add a twist to your traditional crockpot meatloaf recipe by trying my Slow Cooker Bacon Barbecue Meatloaf, Slow Cooker Salsa Meatloaf or my Slow Cooker Meatloaf and Baked Potatoes.
Why this slow cooker meatloaf recipe works
This slow cooker meat loaf is so moist and is pretty much fool-proof! Made with onions, bell pepper, and saltine crackers, this one pot meal is a family favorite! This is the ultimate classic comfort food and is easy to make in the slow cooker. This is my mom’s recipe that I converted from a loaf pan to the slow cooker.
I don’t understand why some people hate meatloaf, were they fed awful meatloaf as a kid? My mom made the best meatloaf, and I wish I still lived at home and had my meals made for me! My mom made hers on a baking sheet; I love this updated way to make it!
Other meatloaf recipes we often make are Slow Cooker Turkey Meatloaf and Slow Cooker Lipton Onion Meatloaf.
Ingredients
- Ground beef – Use an extra lean ground beef for meatloaf. I always get asked why is my meatloaf floating in grease? If you use a ground beef 7% – 10% fat, your meatloaf won’t be floating in grease.
- Vegetables – Onions and bell pepper. Trust me on the bell pepper, it makes this recipe. Cut the onion and bell pepper into a small chop.
- Seasonings – Onion powder, salt and pepper.
- Ketchup – This helps moisten the meatloaf.
- Milk – This also helps moisten the meatloaf and some say milk makes for a more tender loaf.
- Crackers – Crush saltine crackers for the binder in this recipe.
Step by Step Directions
Step One – In a large bowl, add the eggs, onion, bell pepper, ketchup, milk, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
Step Two – Crush the saltine crackers in next and mix this all together with clean hands.
Step Three – Add the meat next, only mixing everything until the meat mixture just comes together.
Step four – Spray a 6-quart slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray, and shape the meatloaf mix into a loaf on the bottom of the slow cooker. Your meatloaf should hold into a loaf form without falling apart. Add more crushed saltines if the mixture seems too wet.
Step 5 – Cover, and cook on LOW for 5-6 hours, without opening the lid during cooking time. Scoop out the fat with a spoon, and discard.
Step Six – Add the homemade sauce ingredients to a small or medium bowl. Mix together the sauce ingredients.
Step Seven – Spoon the homemade sauce on top of the meatloaf.
Step Eight – Cover and continue cooking for 30 more minutes on LOW if you want the sauce heated. Serve and enjoy!
What do I top my meatloaf with?
- A mixture of ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce is a classic sweet and tangy way to top meatloaf (see my recipe for this in the recipe card).
- You can also use warm brown gravy, barbecue sauce, ketchup, or even a zesty salsa.
What to serve with crock pot meatloaf:
Sure thing! Alright, so if you’re throwing together some crockpot meatloaf, you’ve got some awesome options to team up with it. Check it out:
- Mashed Potatoes: ‘Cause who doesn’t love a mash and meat combo, right?
- Roasted Vegetables: Pop some carrots, Brussels sprouts, or green beans in the oven for that extra oomph. Try my slow cooker baby carrots recipe!
- Steamed Veggies: Keep it simple with some lightly steamed broccoli, cauliflower, or asparagus.
- Salad: Fresh garden salad, because greens make everything better.
- Mac and Cheese: Cheesy goodness to match the meatloaf vibes. You can make slow cooker mac and cheese if you have another slow cooker!
- Gravy: Pour some homemade gravy over that meatloaf for a flavor explosion.
- Baked Potatoes: Load ’em up with sour cream, chives, cheese, or bacon. Here is my slow cooker baked potato recipe.
- Coleslaw: Tangy and crunchy coleslaw for that perfect balance.
- Garlic Bread or Rolls: Gotta have something to mop up those delicious sauces.
- Baked Beans: Don’t forget the baked beans – a classic BBQ side that pairs awesome with meatloaf. Try my crockpot baked beans.
Mix and match these sides, and you’re in for a yummy feast!
Try one of these leftover meatloaf recipes:
This recipe makes plenty to go around. If you have leftovers, try the following to have a quick family dinner on busy nights.
- Leftover Meatloaf Soup – Recipe by Food Network
- Leftover Meatloaf Tater Tot Casserole – Recipe by Allrecipes
- Leftover Meatloaf Quiche – Recipe by Kitchen Magpie
- Leftover Meatloaf Chili – Recipe by Food.com
- Leftover Meatloaf Baked Ziti – Recipe by Rachael Ray
- Leftover Meatloaf Sandwiches – Recipe by Best Recipe Box
Recipe FAQs and Variations
It takes 5 hours on low to cook a two-pound flavorful meatloaf in a crockpot.
Yes, you can! You can use ground turkey for this recipe. Though you may need to add more crushed saltine crackers, ground turkey tends to be wetter than ground beef.
Add crumbled bacon and barbecue sauce instead of ketchup to this recipe. Or for an Italian twist and a teaspoon of Italian seasoning to the meatloaf mixture and top with warm marinara to finish off the dish.
You can use crushed Ritz Crackers instead of saltine in meatloaf. Or you can use bread crumbs or even oatmeal as a binder. I suggest about a cup for any of these substitutions.
Your meatloaf should have an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit and will be safe to eat. If it is still pink, it is from chemical changes due to myoglobin and heat.
Add any remaining meatloaf to an airtight container or cover it with aluminum foil. Store it in the fridge for up to 4 days.
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Slow Cooker Meatloaf
Equipment Needed:
Ingredients:
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup diced white onion
- 1 cup diced red or green bell pepper
- 1/3 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/2 tsp. onion powder
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. pepper
- 25 saltine crackers
- 2 lbs. 7% – 10% fat ground beef
For the Sauce
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1 Tbsp. brown sugar
- 1 tsp. mustard
- 1 tsp. worcestershire sauce (optional)
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, add the eggs ,onion, bell pepper, ketchup, milk, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Crush the saltine crackers in next, and mix this all together with clean hands. Add the meat next, only mixing everything until it just comes together.
- Spray a 6-quart slow cooker with non-stick spray, and shape the meat into a loaf on the bottom of the slow cooker. Your meatloaf should hold into a loaf form without falling apart. Add more crushed saltines if the mixture seems too wet.
- Cover, and cook on LOW for 5-6 hours, without opening the lid during cooking time.
- Scoop out the fat with a spoon, discard.
- Mix together the sauce ingredients, and spoon over meatloaf.
- Cover and cook for 30 more minutes on LOW if you want the sauce heated. Serve and enjoy!
How to Video:
Sarah’s Notes:
- Barbecue sauce
- Warm brown gravy (can buy packets or jarred gravy)
- Plain ketchup
- Zesty salsa
Nutrition Information:
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
Try making it with oatmeal instead of saltine crackers and ground turkey meat too. It’s very tasty- my family loves it!
Do you think it would be okay to mix all the ingredients together, form into a loaf and freeze until ready to make? I am trying to come up with a few crock pot freezer meals but have never made any. Thanks.
I make meatloaf with Taco flavor using cornmeal. I use Golden Hominy on the bottom to keep the meatloaf out of the drippings. The Hominy is delicious, just needs to be drained before serving.
I made this and it was fabulous.. Just a tip!
I use a slow cooker bag. Once the meat has cooked, I pull the bag out of the pot with meat, cut a hole to drain fat. Then I return to pot to add the rest of the ingredients… You can line the pot with a new bag to prevent clean up or just keep cooking in original bag. I use a second liner and just place the original bag meat and all back in pot to save time on clean up. Love this recipe!!!!
That’s a great tip! I’m trying out a smaller meatloaf tomorrow with some cheesy potatoes in foil next to it. I love how tender the meatloaf turns out in the slow cooker.
This recipe looks great! I plan to split the recipe. Would you recommend using one or two eggs? Or maybe one egg and just the yolk for another.
Hi Libby, If I was testing this out, I would do 1 egg, mix everything together. Then if it seems dry, whisk another egg in a separate bowl and add part of it. I hope this helps.
Sarah
Something I do with this is place a few carrots in the bottom raises the meatloaf up out of the grease.
Fantastic idea. I always have extra carrots. Thanks for sharing this tip!
Thanks! I have this in my crockpot now, I made iit per your directions, except for the crackers. Will I have to skim fat off the top of the loaf? Also I cooked it on high for the first hour so do you think, time wise, it will be cooked and ready for the sauce topping at the start of the last hour? So it will have cooked in total 4.5 hours including the topping sauce.
Sorry I just saw this! Yes, 4.5 hours sounds right. Let me know how it turned out.
I don’t have saltine crackers, but I’m wondering how much breadcrumbs I would use instead as a substitute?
I would mix in enough breadcrumbs until the meatloaf holds together and still looks moist. Sorry I don’t have a measurement for you. 🙂
I pinned this about a month ago, made it and it was delicious. I have it in the crock pot right now but used ground Turkey instead of ground beef. Fingers crossed ti turns out ok. I love using the crock pot. It’s been especially helpful since we are going through a kitchen remodel and I do not have an oven at this time. Thank you.
I am a little bit behind today, can I cook this on hight? I noticed you emphasized LOW, but I’m just an hour or so short.
If you could start on high for a bit, then drop it to low, it shouldn’t be a problem to cook for less time. 🙂
If I wanted to use a jarred spaghetti sauce instead of the sauce in this recipe how much would I use? Would it change the amount of cooking time at the end?
A little over a cup of sauce would work well. After you add the sauce, just heat until the sauce is warmed. 🙂
What could you substitute the crackers for if you don’t do gluten?
I know my mom used dry oatmeal, that may be worth a try! Or if they make gluten free crackers, just use enough to bind the meatloaf.
I do mine in my Tupperware microwave loaf pan with cover in the microwave I bought years ago. I too add saltines & oatmeal 1/2 & 1/2 amts or so. Good way to add fiber since I don’t like oatmeal for breakfast. Mine has ketchup, onion, eggs, salt & pepper also. Then top with ketchup last 5-7mins uncovered. I have not cooked again in regular oven in 35 yrs of marriage. Comes out moist every time.