Of all the meatloaf recipes out there, this slow cooker version is the easiest — tender, juicy, and completely hands-off. It's a cozy comfort food and a perfect crockpot dinner for cold nights, with a sweet-tangy glaze that sets beautifully as it cooks.
Prep time: 10 minutes | Cook time: 4 hours on LOW (or 2 hours on HIGH) | Total time: 4 hours 10 minutes | Serves: 6
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs (900 g) ground beef (80/20)
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 large eggs
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
Instructions:
1. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, onion, garlic, milk, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix gently with your hands just until combined — don't overwork it.
2. Line the slow cooker with a strip of foil folded into a sling (or parchment) to make lifting the meatloaf out easy. Shape the mixture into a loaf and place it on the sling.
3. Whisk together the ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard, then spread the glaze evenly over the top of the loaf.
4. Cover and cook on LOW for 4 hours (or HIGH for 2 hours) until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
5. Lift the meatloaf out with the foil sling, tent loosely with foil, and rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
Tips:
- The foil sling is the trick that makes slow cooker meatloaf practical — without it, the loaf can fall apart when you lift it out.
- For a caramelized glaze, brush on a little extra ketchup mixture and broil the finished loaf for 2-3 minutes before resting.
- Serve with mashed potatoes and green beans, or slice leftovers for sandwiches the next day.
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