Crock Pot Old Fashioned Meatloaf

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June 6, 2016 By Aunt Lou

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If you are looking for a tried and true meatloaf recipe, your search has ended! This Crock Pot Old Fashioned Meatloaf recipe is the one Momma used while I was growing up. And boy is it good!

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Table of Contents

How to Make Crock Pot Old Fashioned Meatloaf

Aunt Lou here.

We were getting ready to go away for our very first weekend trip without the kids. My mother-in-law was coming up to watch the kids, so I wanted to make up something that I knew the kids would eat so she wouldn’t have to worry about dinner while we were gone. I knew that this Crock Pot Old Fashioned Meatloaf that Momma made while I was growing up would do just the trick!

CROCK POT OLD FASHIONED MEATLOAF NOTES:

I doubled up this recipe so there would be some left for us when we got back! I sure didn’t want to miss out on it! So if you need fewer servings, divide the recipe in half and use a smaller crock. Be sure and watch it the first time so you can know how much you need to adjust your cooking time.
I made this Crock Pot Old Fashioned Meatloaf up in Cassie (my9 x13 casserole slow cooker made by Crock Pot). If you don’t have one, the make up the full recipe in a 5 or6-quart crock potor a half recipe in a2.5or 3-quart crock pot.
Looking for more recipes? OurRecipe Findercan help you find exactly what you need.
Check out all our favorite recommendations for cookbooks, slow cookers and low carb essentials in ourAmazon Influencer Shop.
As with any of our recipes, carb counts, calorie counts andnutritionalinformation varies greatly. As a result, yournutritionalcontent depends on which products you choose to use when cooking this dish.The auto-calculation is just an automated estimate and should NOT be used for specific dietary needs.
All slow cookers cook differently, so cooking times are always a basic guideline. Recipes shouldalways be tested first in your own slow cooker and time adjusted as needed.

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Crock Pot Old Fashioned Meatloaf Recipe

This Crock Pot Old Fashioned Meatloaf recipe is Momma's recipe adapted for a crock pot!

4.96 from 44 votes

Print Pin

Course: Main

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Crock Pot Meatloaf

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 4 hours hours

Total Time: 4 hours hours 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 8 servings

Calories: 420kcal

Author: Aunt Lou

Ingredients

2 lbs ground beef
2 cup oats or cracker crumbs
2 egg
1 large onion or 2 small onions diced
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 cup ketchup plus extra for topping

Instructions

Mix together all of your ingredients in a bowl
Spray your crock pot with cooking spray
Press your ground beef mixture into your crock pot and make a groove down the middle
Top with as little or much ketchup as you desire
Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours

Video

Notes

I doubled up this recipe so there would be some left for us when we got back! I sure didn’t want to miss out on it! So if you need fewer servings, divide the recipe in half and use a smaller crock. Be sure and watch it the first time so you can know how much you need to adjust your cooking time.
I made this Crock Pot Old Fashioned Meatloaf up in Cassie (my9 x13 casserole slow cooker made by Crock Pot). If you don’t have one, the make up the full recipe in a 5 or6-quart crock potor a half recipe in a2.5or 3-quart crock pot.
Looking for more recipes? OurRecipe Findercan help you find exactly what you need.
Check out all our favorite recommendations for cookbooks, slow cookers and low carb essentials in ourAmazon Influencer Shop.
As with any of our recipes, carb counts, calorie counts andnutritionalinformation varies greatly. As a result, yournutritionalcontent depends on which products you choose to use when cooking this dish.The auto-calculation is just an automated estimate and should NOT be used for specific dietary needs.
All slow cookers cook differently, so cooking times are always a basic guideline. Recipes shouldalways be tested first in your own slow cooker and time adjusted as needed.

Nutrition

Tried this recipe?Mention @RecipesthatCrock or tag #RecipesthatCrock!

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Aunt Lou

I'm wife to Michael (not Mikey 😉 ) and mom to Mr. Ryder and Miss Iyla. I'm just walking through this life step by step focusing on enjoying the little things in life. I am in awe of the many blessings big and small I receive daily from a pretty amazing God who calls me His own. Sometimes life is crazy and messy, but I am loving every minute of it.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

Jill Fairlane says
March 1, 2018 at 11:24 am

I’ve been picking up tips here since Christmas and receiving my first slow cooker. I just wanted to say, so far, this is my husband & I’s favorite recipe on your website! It turned out beautiful, moist and flavorful. It went FAST! ha I have a feeling I will be making this monthly (on the weekends mostly.)
Jane says
May 16, 2017 at 12:28 am

Trying this tomorrow. I can’t wait to eat it. Lol
- Aunt Lou says
  May 18, 2017 at 11:51 am
  
  Hi Jane!
  It is a true family favorite around here! I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
  Aunt Lou
Teresa Thompson says
March 19, 2017 at 2:32 am

this all sounds great! when I look at discussions of casserole crockpots, they all talk about how much less time things take to cook in them than in regular crockpots. In light of that, should I plan for less time to cook a meatloaf in my regular crockpot? thanks! Teri
- Aunt Lou says
  March 22, 2017 at 12:19 pm
  
  Hi Teresa!
  In my experience, slow cookers can vary greatly in how hot they cook. So I always recommend that the first time you try a recipe to make it when you can watch it. That way you know how your specific slow cooker cooks that specific recipe.
  That being said, I would plan at least 4-6 hours on low for this recipe in a 6-quart slow cooker since it has 2 lbs of ground beef.
  Hope that helps! Enjoy!
  Aunt Lou
The Better Baker says
June 20, 2016 at 12:51 pm

hubby and I both favor meatloaf – must try this recipe soon. So glad you shared with us at Weekend Potluck.
Kathy says
June 7, 2016 at 8:36 pm

Love meatloaf in the crockpot! My recipe uses onion soup mix instead of onion, and it tastes great. I always put a full layer of carrots on the bottom of the pot for the meatloaf to rest on. It gives a great flavor to the carrots, then serve with mashed potatoes. A true comfort meal?
Dee says
June 7, 2016 at 10:53 am

Why do you make a groove down the middle? Does the groove go down completely to the crock, in essence making 2 loaves?
- Aunt Lou says
  June 7, 2016 at 11:19 am
  
  Hi Dee!
  The groove does not go all the way down. It is just an indention the length of the meatloaf. As for why, there may be a science to it, but for me, that is how Momma always did it, so that is what I do too! Enjoy!
  Aunt Lou
Norma says
June 7, 2016 at 9:01 am

I always put shredded carrots in meatloaf when my boys were little because they didn’t like vegetables. I still do, because it seems to make it more moist. I will try this the next time. It will be especially good in the summer since you don’t have to turn the oven on.
- Aunt Lou says
  June 7, 2016 at 11:14 am
  
  Hi Norma!
  That’s a great idea! I hope you enjoy this as much as we do!
  Aunt Lou
Barb says
June 6, 2016 at 7:38 pm

Just wondering…..why does it look like there’s cheese under the meatloaf?
- Aunt Lou says
  June 6, 2016 at 10:48 pm
  
  Hi Barb!
  It is the oil from the meatloaf. We had higher fat ground beef on hand, so that is what I used. If you would like a leaner meatloaf, you can use a leaner ground beef. Just be sure to keep an eye on it as a leaner ground beef will dry out more easily. Enjoy!
  Aunt Lou
- Barb says
  June 7, 2016 at 1:32 am
  
  Thanks for the reply. I don’t eat beef, so I think I’ll try this with ground turkey. Any hints for making a moist turkey meat loaf?
- Aunt Lou says
  June 7, 2016 at 11:13 am
  
  Hi Barb!
  You are quite welcome! This recipe should work with ground turkey as well. If you want it moist, just make sure you don’t buy a really lean turkey. If you buy an 80/20 ground turkey, you shouldn’t have a problem. Just watch it and use a meat thermometer to know when it is done. Enjoy!
  Aunt Lou
- Barb says
  June 7, 2016 at 6:19 pm
  
  ????
rick bruce says
June 6, 2016 at 4:37 pm

Aunt Lou- Doesn’t this turn out greasy?
- Aunt Lou says
  June 6, 2016 at 10:44 pm
  
  Hi Rick!
  If you want less grease than what I had, you can use leaner ground beef. Enjoy!
  Aunt Lou
Debbiy says
June 6, 2016 at 3:02 pm

Great recipe. I have diabetes and this is good with low carb bread or oatmeal. I also add shredded carrots to get in some more veggies.
- Aunt Lou says
  June 6, 2016 at 3:16 pm
  
  Hi there!
  That’s a great idea! I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
  Aunt Lou
- Tim says
  May 14, 2017 at 10:44 pm
  
  I do low carb also when I do a meatloaf I substitute ground up pork rinds instead of bread or out meal works great
Patti says
June 6, 2016 at 2:50 pm

My grandkids will not eat onions. Is it possible to use onion soup mix and how much do I use?
Thank you
- Aunt Lou says
  June 6, 2016 at 3:14 pm
  
  Hi Patti!
  I have not tried it with onion soup mix, but you might give it a try with it a packet, or you could leave the onion out completely. Enjoy!
  Aunt Lou
- Donna says
  June 6, 2016 at 4:46 pm
  
  Of course you can use onion soup mix! Use the entire pkg.
- Marlene says
  June 7, 2016 at 7:14 pm
  
  It’s great with a packet of Lipton Onion Soup mix, pack of crushed saltines, eggs, and chopped green green pepper!
- Richard Morse says
  June 6, 2016 at 3:36 pm
  
  Mince the onions very fine kids won’t know there in the meat loaf, onion soup mix will add excessive salt and will change taste from this recipe! I’m sure it would taste good though!
- D. S says
  April 2, 2017 at 9:32 am
  
  I don’t like onion but my husband does so I take 1\2 of it out and devide it with foil add the onions to the rest and add. Then cook it, the onion flavors the whole thing but I don’t have to eat them.
- Aunt Lou says
  April 3, 2017 at 9:54 am
  
  Hi D.S.!
  That is a great idea! Thanks for sharing. I love hearing how readers take these recipes and make them their own!
  Aunt Lou
Aunt Lou says
June 6, 2016 at 2:33 pm

Hi Suzie!
That’s a great idea!
I love my casserole crock! If you need more ideas for recipes to use with yours, be sure and check out the link below. It will give you all kinds of great recipes for your casserole crock!
Enjoy!
Aunt Lou
http://www.recipesthatcrock.com/category/uses-casserole-crock/
SuzieW says
June 6, 2016 at 2:09 pm

Thanks, I’m always watching for recipes for my Casserole Crock. Since I only cook for two this is perfect I can freeze half after cooking and have a meal for one of THOSE days.

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Crock Pot Old Fashioned Meatloaf - Recipes That Crock! (2024)

FAQs

Do you have to brown ground meat before putting in crock pot? ›

Typically, beef or pork can turn out dry or not as tender if they aren't browned first. However, this applies more to roasts or whole cuts of meat. While you can certainly brown it partially on the stove first, that defeats the purpose of cooking ground beef in the crock pot!

What helps keep meatloaf moist? ›

Fat Is Your Friend

This is the reason most cooks choose ground chuck since it has this ideal proportion of fat to meat. During cooking, the fat will liquefy, making the meatloaf moist.

Know More ›

What do you put in meatloaf to keep it from falling apart? ›

The answer lies in the binding ingredient. Binding ingredients are the items that, quite literally, pull your dish together. In meatloaf, this is most commonly the eggs and breadcrumbs.

Learn More Now ›

What makes meatloaf not fall apart? ›

To keep your meatloaf from falling apart while slicing, you need the proper binder ingredients. For 1 pound of ground beef add 1/2 cup of whole milk, 1 large egg and 1 cup of breadcrumbs. Then your other favorite ingredients, like diced onion, green pepper, seasonings, maybe 1 T. Worcestershire.

Learn More Now ›

Can I put raw ground beef in crock pot? ›

Yes, you can totally cook raw beef in a slow cooker. Many slow-cooker chili recipes have a step for browning the beef before it goes into the Crock-Pot. While this step isn't necessary, caramelizing the meat creates richer, bolder flavors.

Know More ›

How long does it take to brown ground beef in crock pot? ›

Place ground beef in crock pot and break it up a little with a fork (or if you're NOT ME…with your hands!) Put the lid on and cook on High for 3 to 4 hours (depending on your crockpot).

Learn More ›

Why milk instead of water in meatloaf? ›

Is it better to add milk or water in meatloaf? Without question, it is better to use milk in meatloaf. The added fat adds richness and moist texture to the meatloaf, and the added milk proteins encourage additional browning reactions (which means more flavor).

Explore More ›

What can I add to meatloaf for flavor? ›

Herbs: Fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, and parsley can bring a burst of flavor to your meatloaf.

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What is the basic meatloaf formula? ›

The Basic Meatloaf Formula

All recipes for meatloaf start with the same basic formula: 2 pounds of ground meat and a “panade” made of bread or crackers soaked in milk. Along with a few eggs, this panade helps to hold the ground meat together and adds some essential moisture to the mix.

Learn More Now ›

What is the best binder for meatloaf? ›

The most traditional meatloaf binder is probably torn up bread soaked in milk, but you can also use bread crumbs, Panko, dehydrated potato (instant mashed potatoes), or just about any other grain.

Read The Full Story ›

What can I add to meatloaf so it's not dry? ›

Use Extra Egg: Eggs act as binders and provide moisture. Add one or two eggs per pound of meat for a moist texture. Make Use of Milk: Soak breadcrumbs in milk before adding them to your mixture. This will keep your meatloaf moist during baking.

What causes mushy meatloaf? ›

But what causes this to happen in the first place? The most common reason meatloaf is mushy is too much liquid added to the mixture.

Show Me More ›

How do you firm up meatloaf? ›

One of the most common reasons meatloaf is watery is an overabundance of liquid ingredients. Adding broth, milk, or eggs can enhance flavor and moisture, but too much can lead to a soupy consistency. Use these ingredients sparingly, and consider adding breadcrumbs or oats to absorb excess moisture.

Discover More ›

Why did my meatloaf turn out tough? ›

Yet your meatloaf came out dry, overcooked, and tough. This is most likely a result of overmixing. Overmixing your meatloaf ingredients can ruin the texture, moisture, and structure of your meatloaf.

Show Me More ›

Do you have to brown ground beef before putting it in the crockpot for chili? ›

Do you have to brown the meat for slow cooker chili? Technically, no. The beef, bell pepper, onion, and garlic will all cook in the slow cooker, but browning the meat and sautéing the vegetables in a skillet before adding it to the slow cooker brings much more flavor to the chili. You'll be glad you did—promise!

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What happens if you don't brown meat before cooking? ›

If you don't brown your meat, you'll end up with a rich, silky, tender texture. On the other hand, your flavor won't be as deep.

Read On ›

Will hamburger brown in a crock pot? ›

It is possible, but only if you have the right type of crock-pot. Most crock-pots are not designed for searing and as such do not get hot enough, quickly enough to sear the meat properly.

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