Wonderful Meatloaf Recipe - Recipes That Crock! (2024)

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Are you looking for a wonderful meatloaf recipe? This easy crock pot recipe is one of my favorite ways to make meatloaf. These simple steps produce the delicious homemade favorite every time.

Wonderful Meatloaf Recipe - Recipes That Crock! (2)

I have always loved meatloaf. Truth be told. it is really the day after meatloaf dinner night that I really love… Because that meant Meatloaf Sandwiches! Yum!

Mom always swore it was that it was another excuse to eat ketchup (and she might be right 😉 ). She knew the hubs and I were a match made in heaven when she saw he liked ketchup as much as I did. In fact, she teased us for months that she was going to get us a case of ketchup for our wedding. So much so that I think we almost believed her, and I don’t think the thought of it bothered either of us one bit!

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Wonderful Meatloaf Recipe

We found this particular recipe inGooseberry Patch’s new Slow-Cooker Christmas Favorites. We stuck to the recipe ingredients to a “T” but altered the steps a bit to make it even easier. The results were fantastic. Miss Add (my 7 year old) actually asked to take it in her lunch to school. That, my friends, is a true sign of a good recipe ;).

Wonderful Meatloaf Recipe - Recipes That Crock! (4)

Wonderful Meatloaf Recipe - Recipes That Crock! (5)

Slow-Cooked Meatloaf

We love this wonderful meatloaf recipe. This easy crock pot recipe altered from Gooseberry Patch’s Slow Cooker Christmas Favorites is a family favorite around here!

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Course: Main

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 7 hours hours

Total Time: 7 hours hours 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 6 -8

Author: Cris

Ingredients

  • 2 eggs beaten
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 3 slices bread torn into small pieces
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 cup ketchup divided
  • 2 lbs ground beef
  • 1/2 cup onion diced
  • 1 oz pkg ranch salad dressing mix

Instructions

  • Combine your eggs, milk, bread crumbs, salt and pepper in a large bowl.

  • Add 1/2 c of ketchup and the rest of the ingredients and combine gently.

  • Make a mound in your greased slow cooker and top with remaining ketchup.

  • Place the cover on your slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours (until meat thermometer reads 160).

Notes

Note: Cooking times are just a guideline. Slow cookers cook differently depending on size and make/model. It is recommended that you test times in your slow cooker for all new recipes.

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

Cooking Times

This (and any) crock pot meatloaf recipe is NOT a fix it and forget it recipe. You do not want to overcook meatloaf or it becomes a dried out rock of blandness. But don’t let that scare you. You just have to remember that Slow Cooker cooking times are just guidelines, unlike most oven cooking times. Slow cookers cook differently depending on size and make/model and especially age. It is recommended that you test times in your slow cooker for all new recipes, especially recipes like this, making note of how long it takes your system to cook the recipe. For example, this recipe in an older 4 qt crock this might take 7-8 hours, while in a new model 6 qt it could bedone as early as 4-6 hours.

Slow Cooker Recommendations

I prefer to cook to temperature rather than time when it comes to recipes that I need to be careful not to overcook. You will want to cook your meatloaf until the internal temperature of the loaf reaches 160. I useour slow cookerthat has a built in meatthermometerbut you can also use a regularmeat thermometerin your slow cooker at home if you aren’t in the market for a new crock pot. This particular meat thermometer model allows you to place the probe in the meat, close the crock lid and set an alarm for when it reaches the temperature you set on the thermometer.

More Meatloaf Recipes

If you are a meatloaf lover like I am you need to try our other crock pot meatloaf recipes:

Slow Cooker Cheddar Meatloaf

Crock Pot Salsa Meatloaf

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Cris

Whether you've been told you can't cook your whole life or you have the knife skills of an Iron Chef, Cris loves to connect you to just the right recipe.

Her site Recipes That Crock is dedicated to helping everyone find delicious recipes to serve their families every month.

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  1. Wonderful Meatloaf Recipe - Recipes That Crock! (10)Sandie says

    Can I make this on a high setting for a shorter amount of time?

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Wonderful Meatloaf Recipe - Recipes That Crock! (2024)

FAQs

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).

What is the best binder for meatloaf? ›

If you don't have any bread, you can substitute it for breadcrumbs, crackers, cereal grains, oatmeal, instant rice, instant barley, or even potato flakes! However, bread is still the best choice of all the potential options.

Does Joanna Gaines have a meatloaf recipe? ›

Joanna Gaines Meatloaf Recipe from Magnolia Table Cookbook is really the best and the easiest meatloaf recipe ever. This easy meatloaf is made with ground beef, finely chopped onion, tomato sauce, saltines, Cheddar cheese, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper; and glazed with ketchup.

What does adding an extra egg to meatloaf do? ›

Eggs Add Structure

Egg yolks, which are mostly water but contain a good amount of protein and fat, add flavor, richness, and moisture. They also help bind the meat together and get the loaf to set in a stable form without the need to overwork the meat.

What is the secret ingredient to tenderize meat? ›

Whether hosting a holiday cookout, serving up some stir-fry or tackling game meats, baking soda is the go-to meat tenderizer to help make your steak, chicken or turkey silkier, juicier and yummier.

Should I cook onions before adding to meatloaf? ›

I later learned how I could avoid this problem and make a fully smooth meatloaf by pre-cooking any vegetables, especially the onion, before adding them to the ground meat. This way the meatloaf gets the flavor without the rawness -- a method from the smart people at Cook's Illustrated.

Are you supposed to drain the grease from meatloaf? ›

Let the loaf cool for at least 15 minutes before serving. If you baked the meatloaf in a loaf pan, carefully drain off the liquid fat before transferring the meatloaf to a clean cutting board. Cut into thick slices and serve.

Why does my meatloaf crack and fall apart? ›

When this happens, it's because you didn't use enough. Next time, try adding in an extra egg and/or some more breadcrumbs. Alternatively, rice, barley, corn flakes, crackers, and dried soup mix can also stand in as binding ingredients as well. Including larger quantities of these items should help solve the problem.

What is the basic meatloaf formula? ›

Mix ground beef, salt, pepper, onion, bell pepper, egg, tomatoes and oats together well and place in a baking dish. Shape into a loaf. Topping: Mix ketchup, brown sugar and mustard and spread on loaf.

What medical issues did Meatloaf have? ›

On November 17, 2003, during a performance at London's Wembley Arena, on his Couldn't Have Said It Better tour, he collapsed of what was later diagnosed as Wolff–Parkinson–White syndrome, a condition marked by an extra electrical pathway in the heart which causes symptoms like a rapid heartbeat.

Does Joanna Gaines cook every night? ›

"I always let the kids pick what they're wanting," she says. "We don't cook every night, but as often as we can. I like to cook a warm meal for the kiddos and Chip."

What happens if you use milk instead of water in baking? ›

The fat and lactose in milk help with tenderizing the crumb of the bread making it softer and sweeter. The crust of the bread also gets more caramelization. Be aware that bread made with milk should not be baked at too high of a temperature to prevent it from browning too much too soon.

What happens if you forgot the milk in meatloaf? ›

You actually don't need milk to make meatloaf and therefore you can make meatloaf without milk. What you need is a liquid to keep the meat moist, so you can make meatloaf with water or using a dairy free milk.

What happens if you put too much milk in meatloaf? ›

The most common reason meatloaf is mushy is too much liquid added to the mixture. Too much liquid will stop the meatloaf from baking and cause the meat to boil instead.

How do you fix a runny 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.

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