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Published: by Jennifer 6 Comments

Crockpot Meatloaf

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Crockpot Meatloaf this …

This crockpot meatloaf with vegetables is the kind of classic comfort food that earns its keep at the dinner table. A mix of lean ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, and Worcestershire sauce makes for a moist, tender loaf, while potatoes, carrots, and onions cook right alongside it. The tangy glaze of ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard caramelizes perfectly on top of the meatloaf, giving you all the flavor without babysitting the oven. With everything in one pot, this easy slow cooker recipe is a dependable choice for busy weeknights.


The Gist

  • Cook Time: 6 hours
  • Total Time: 6 hours 20 minutes
  • Yield: Serves 6
  • Skill Level: Easy
  • Dietary Notes: Contains gluten, dairy; not vegetarian

Why You'll Love It

Family-friendly and freezer-friendly.

One-pot dinner with meat and vegetables in the same crockpot.

Tangy glaze adds just enough sweetness to balance the savory loaf.

Perfect for busy weeknights or "Meatloaf Monday."

Kitchen Equipment

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Mixing Bowl

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Reynolds Slow Cooker Liners

Slow Cooker Liners

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Thermapen Instant Thermometer

Meat Thermometer

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Gather Your Ingredients

Ground Beef

Ground Beef

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England's Best Eggs

Eggs

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Progresso Plain Breadcrumbs

Breadcrumbs

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Oak Farms Whole Milk

Milk

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Sweet Onion

Onion

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Green Bell Pepper

Green Bell Pepper

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Fresh Garlic

Garlic

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Lee & Perrins Worcestershire sauce

Worcestershire sauce

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Heinz Ketchup

Ketchup

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Morton Kosher Salt

Kosher Salt

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Ground Black Pepper

Black Pepper

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McCormick Dried Thyme

Dried Thyme

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McCormick Smoked Paprika

Smoked Paprika

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Imperial Brown Sugar

Brown Sugar

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Heinz Yellow Mustard

Yellow Mustard

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Russet Potatoes

Russet Potatoes

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Baby Carrots

Baby Carrots

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Sweet Onion

Onion

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Graza Sizzle Extra Virgin Olive Oil for Cooking

Olive Oil

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Lipton Onion Soup Mix

Onion Soup Mix

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Let's Get to Cookin'

Prepare the Meat Mixture

In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, eggs, breadcrumbs, milk, onion, bell pepper, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, salt, pepper, thyme, and smoked paprika. Mix gently until just combined-don't overwork it.

Shape the Meatloaf

Form the mixture into a loaf shape that fits your slow cooker. Place a sheet of parchment paper or aluminum foil on the bottom for easier removal.

Prepare the Vegetables

In another large bowl, combine potatoes, carrots, and onion. Drizzle with olive oil, toss to coat, then sprinkle with dry onion soup mix. Stir until evenly seasoned.

Assemble in Crockpot

Place the shaped meatloaf in the center of the slow cooker. Arrange the seasoned vegetables evenly around the loaf. Cover and cook on Low for about 6 hours, or until the meatloaf reaches 160°F internally and the vegetables are tender.

Add the Topping

In a small bowl, whisk together ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard. About 30 minutes before serving, spread the topping evenly over the meatloaf. Cover and cook until glossy.

Serve

Carefully lift the meatloaf out using the parchment or large spatulas. Let it rest 10 minutes before slicing. Serve with the cooked vegetables.

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A slice of crockpot meatloaf with seasoned vegetables.

Chef's Tips for Crockpot Meatloaf

  • Check doneness with a thermometer. Internal temperature should hit 160°F.
  • Line your crockpot. Parchment, foil, or slow cooker liners makes cleanup easier.
  • Don't pack the meat. Over-mixing leads to dense meatloaf.
  • Season the veggies well. Onion soup mix gives them a savory kick.
  • Glaze near the end. Adding topping in the last 30 minutes prevents burning.

What to Serve It With

  • Apple-Pecan Spinach Salad
  • Chewy Old-Fashioned Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

FAQs

Can I cook this on High instead of Low?
Yes, but reduce the cooking time to about 3-4 hours. Check meatloaf with a thermometer.

Can I prep it ahead?
Yes, shape the loaf and prep the veggies the night before. Store separately in the fridge, then assemble in the morning.

Can I use ground turkey?
Yes, but check doneness carefully. Turkey meatloaf can dry out faster, so consider adding an extra splash of milk.

Does it freeze well?
The meatloaf does. Slice, wrap in plastic, and freeze in a freezer bag up to 3 months. Thaw before reheating.


Leftovers & Storage

Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container up to 4 days. Reheat slices in a 325°F oven covered with foil. Vegetables are best eaten fresh but can be refrigerated up to 3 days. Meatloaf slices freeze well up to 3 months in a freezer bag.


Stick Around for Seconds!

If hearty, no-fuss dinners are your thing, subscribe to my newsletter and browse around. You'll find plenty more classic comfort food recipes ready to bring folks to the table. 


Tried It?

I'd love to know how your crockpot meatloaf turned out. Leave a comment, share your tweaks, or tag me on Instagram with #jennifercooks so I can cheer you on.

My Favorite Storage Containers

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*****

Before You Get Started! If you whip up this recipe, I'd love to hear what you think! Leave a review and rating to let me know how it turned out. Your feedback helps keep the kitchen running and allows me to keep sharing free recipes with y'all!

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Crockpot Meatloaf

Crockpot Meatloaf
Print Recipe

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5 from 1 review

This hearty meatloaf is savory, comforting, and simple to make-perfect for busy weeknights.

  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 6 hours
  • Total Time: 6 hours 20 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Meatloaf:

  • 2 pounds ground beef ((80/20))
  • 2 large eggs (lightly beaten)
  • 1 cup plain breadcrumbs
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 onion (finely chopped)
  • 1 green bell pepper (finely chopped)
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

Topping:

  • ½ cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard

Vegetables:

  • 4 russet potatoes (washed and cut into 1-inch cubes)
  • 1 pound baby carrots (washed)
  • 1 onion (peeled and cut into large chunks)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 packet onion soup mix (dry)

Instructions

Prepare the Meat Mixture

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, eggs, breadcrumbs, milk, finely chopped onion, bell pepper, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, salt, pepper, thyme, and smoked paprika.
  2. Mix gently until just combined. Do not overmix.

Shape the Meatloaf

  1. Form the mixture into a loaf shape that will fit inside your slow cooker.
  2. Place a sheet of parchment paper or aluminum foil at the bottom of the crockpot for easier removal, if desired.

Prepare the Vegetables

  1. In a large bowl, combine cubed potatoes, carrots, and onion chunks.
  2. Drizzle with olive oil and toss to coat.
  3. Sprinkle with dry onion soup mix and stir until vegetables are evenly seasoned.

Assemble in Crockpot

  1. Place the shaped meatloaf in the center of the slow cooker.
  2. Arrange the seasoned vegetables evenly around the meatloaf.
  3. Cover with the lid and cook on Low for about 6 hours, or until the internal temperature of the meatloaf reaches 160°F and the vegetables are tender.

Add the Topping

  1. In a small bowl, whisk together ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard.
  2. About 30 minutes before serving, spread the topping evenly over the meatloaf.
  3. Cover and continue cooking until the topping is set and glossy.

Serve

  1. Carefully lift the meatloaf out of the crockpot using parchment paper or large spatulas.
  2. Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
  3. Serve with the cooked vegetables on the side.

Notes

Substitutions:

  • Ground turkey or pork can replace beef.
  • Crushed saltine crackers or oats may be used instead of breadcrumbs.
  • Use red or yellow bell pepper instead of green, or omit.

Serving Suggestions and Pairings:

  • Serve with a side of green beans, cornbread, or a simple garden salad.
  • Leftover slices make excellent sandwiches with toasted bread and extra ketchup or barbecue sauce.

Storage and Freezing:

  • Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
  • Freeze meatloaf slices (without vegetables) wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and placed in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.
  • Reheat meatloaf in the oven at 325°F, covered with foil, until heated through. Vegetables are best enjoyed fresh, but can be refrigerated up to 3 days and reheated in a skillet or microwave.

Nutrition

  • Calories: 769
  • Sugar: 20
  • Sodium: 1978
  • Fat: 39
  • Saturated Fat: 14
  • Carbohydrates: 68
  • Fiber: 7
  • Protein: 37
  • Cholesterol: 167

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About Jennifer

I’m Jennifer Locklin, author and owner of Jennifer Cooks. I am a trained chef and passionate about good food, cooking for family and friends, and creating recipes that form lasting memories from one generation to the next. I hope you find inspiration for cooking and creating here!

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  1. LeAnna says

    November 19, 2016 at 7:14 pm

    Came across this recipe this morning and decided to give it a try. Followed your recipe exactly (no changes made on my part ) and it turned out DELICIOUS! The whole family loved it! That says a lot considering I have one of the pickiest 7 year olds there is. LoL. Definitely going to be making this again! Thank you!

    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      November 30, 2016 at 2:20 pm

      Wonderful! I'm so glad y'all enjoyed it!

      Reply
  2. Jess says

    December 04, 2016 at 7:35 pm

    Do the vegetables go in for the 8 hours also?

    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      January 04, 2017 at 8:08 am

      I'm so sorry for the delayed response! Yes, vegetables go in for the entire time. Place the potatoes and carrots on top, around the edges so that they don't get too mushy in all of the juices on the bottom.

      Reply
  3. Jhare says

    January 05, 2017 at 11:05 am

    If I cook it on low for 5 hrs can I change speed to high for an hour, and it will be done? I don't have potatoes in there.

    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      January 09, 2017 at 4:48 pm

      I think because a CrockPot cooks much slower and at a lower temperature, you would have to cook it for at least 3 to 4 hours to be sure the meat is cooked through.

      Reply

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Hello! I'm Jennifer Locklin, the creator of Jennifer Cooks. Cooking is a cherished tradition passed down in my family, deeply rooted in love and shared experiences.

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