Slow Cooker Meatloaf and Potatoes

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This unique Slow Cooker Meatloaf and Potatoes recipe cooks with seasoned potatoes for the most tender and juicy meatloaf dinner.

Easy Slow Cooker Meatloaf

I’m a big fan of easy meatloaf in the slow cooker. This unique recipe cooks alongside perfectly seasoned potatoes, making most of your dinner at once.

I’ve been making meatloaf for years, and when I grew up, my mom made meatloaf that was different from most. She inspired me to think differently when creating some of my most loved meatloaf recipes.

My guys especially like this meatloaf recipe because of the smoky ketchup glaze on top. It’s sweet and sticky and adds some zing to the meatloaf as it cooks in the slow cooker.

One of the best parts of making meatloaf is that there’s usually a slice or two left over. Boy, does that make for a yummy grilled meatloaf sandwich the next day!

Recipe Tips

• The secret to making the best meatloaf is never overcooking it. Overcooked meatloaf ALWAYS gets a bad wrap because it’s dry, flavorless, and crumbles apart. So disappointing.
• Double the sauce and reserve half to serve with the meatloaf slices on the side! Extra sauce is perfect for serving leftovers the next day and making grilled meatloaf sandwiches.
• The best and easiest way to combine the meatloaf mixture is simply by using your hands. If you don’t like the feel of raw meat, you can wear disposable food prep gloves. I always keep these on hand in my kitchen for doing meal prep.

Ingredients Needed For Making Crock Pot Meatloaf

Meatloaf

• Lean ground beef:  I use 90% lean ground beef. I have found that 93% lean tends to make a pretty dry meatloaf. 80% ground beef (aka ground chuck) is typically too fatty.
• Breadcrumbs: The softer the bread crumbs used in your meatloaf mixture, the more tender the texture. I like to make my bread crumbs from a piece of bread processed in the food processor. You can also use any store-bought breadcrumbs.
• Eggs: If omitting the egg in this recipe, substitute two tablespoons of water or two tablespoons of grated Parmesan.
• Worcestershire sauce
• Ketchup
• Dehydrated onion flakes: You can substitute onion powder.
• Garlic powder
• Smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper
• Minced fresh Italian parsley: Optional

Meatloaf glaze, optional, but recommended

• Ketchup: You can also substitute barbecue sauce or even salsa.
• Dark brown sugar: Adjust the amount of brown sugar you use depending on how sweet you want the sauce to be. Substitute light brown sugar or any other sweetener you prefer, such as granulated sugar, honey, or even pure maple syrup.
• Minced chipotle peppers, optional: Optional if you don’t do “spicy.” It adds the perfect bit of smokiness and heat to the sweetness of meatloaf sauce.

Potatoes

• Russet potatoes: I like Russet potatoes for this recipe, but you can substitute other types of potatoes, too.
• McCormick Montreal Chicken Seasoning Blend: Use your favorite potato seasoning blend. Or even just season the potatoes with good ole salt and pepper.
• Butter: If you let the potatoes cook in the meatloaf juices (no foil), you can add less butter.

How to Make Meatloaf in the Slow Cooker

For complete and detailed instructions, see the full recipe card below.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef with Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, dehydrated onion flakes, garlic powder, smoked paprika, kosher salt, ground black pepper, minced fresh Italian parsley, a beaten egg, and bread crumbs. Mix gently with a spatula or using your hands.

Using your hands, carefully mound the ground beef mixture into an oval loaf. Place it into one side of a greased 6-quart slow cooker on top of a piece of greased foil. Folding the foil up and around the meatloaf a bit.

In a small bowl, combine ketchup with dark brown sugar and minced chipotle peppers to make the meatloaf glaze. Spread this mixture over the top of the meatloaf.

Peel the potatoes and cube them into 1-inch size pieces. Make sure the potato chunks are cut into chunks no larger than 1-inch in size so they cook evenly with the meatloaf.

Place the cubed potatoes in a pile next to the meatloaf. Season with the McCormick Montreal Chicken Seasoning and top with butter.

Cover the slow cooker with the lid. Cook the meatloaf and potatoes for 4-6 hours on low or 2-4 hours on high, depending on how your brand of slow cooker works best.

Meatloaf is fully cooked when an instant-read meat thermometer probe is inserted into the center and registers 165 degrees F. Potatoes are fully cooked when they are tender when tested with a fork.

If you want to caramelize the glaze on top of the meatloaf beneath the broiler before you serve it, lift it out of the slow cooker using the foil sling you’ve cooked it in. Place the meatloaf onto a baking sheet or casserole dish, then under the preheated broiler.

The glaze will quickly caramelize after just a few minutes beneath the broiler at 500 degrees. Because of the sugar in the glaze, it can quickly burn. So keep a close eye on it once it’s placed beneath the broiler.

Or, if your family is like mine and they like the glaze without the extra step of caramelizing it, you won’t have to use the foil sling. This also allows the potatoes to cook right along with the meatloaf juices in the slow cooker for even more flavor.

While the meatloaf cooks, make the gravy according to the packet directions and keep it warm.

Slice the meatloaf right in the slow cooker, or lift it out whole and place it onto a cutting board to slice.

Serve the meatloaf slices with potatoes on the side, drizzled as desired with the prepared gravy if using. Potatoes are also delicious and served as is, with just seasoning and butter, garnished with a bit of fresh parsley.

How Long to Cook Meatloaf in the Slow Cooker

Meatloaf is fully cooked when an instant-read meat thermometer probe is inserted into the center and registers 165 degrees F. as the reading.

Depending on how your particular slow cooker cooks, this will likely take 4-6 hours on the low setting or 2-4 hours on the high setting.

Because cooking times can vary quite a bit, it’s always best to cook by internal temperature, especially when cooking meats. Cooking by internal temperature ensures the meatloaf is perfectly cooked and also safe to eat.

Using Foil

The reasons for using foil when making slow cooker meatloaf is to make cleanup easier, to remove the meatloaf for caramelizing or serving easily, and to separate the meatloaf and potatoes.

I think the meat juices add a lot of flavor to the potatoes as they cook, so sometimes I skip the foil. In a perfect world, I’d love to caramelize the sauce on top of this slow cooker meatloaf, but my family is always in such a hurry to eat that I never do.

Meatloaf Without an Egg

Many meatloaf recipes (just like this one) call for eggs. Eggs add flavor and protein to the meatloaf but are most often in recipes to act as the binder that keeps the meatloaf intact as it cooks and when it is sliced.

In my experience as a life-long cook, I have found that eggs can easily be omitted, and the recipe will still turn out fine as long as the meatloaf mixture includes breadcrumbs.

When omitting the egg in a meatloaf recipe, I always substitute 2 tablespoons of water for each egg. This liquid binds with the breadcrumbs to help keep the meatloaf intact and moist.

I have also substituted grated Parmesan as a binder in meatloaf instead of eggs, which works well. It adds additional flavor and makes a great binding agent substitute. For each egg you omit, replace it with 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan. I still add a little water along with my Parmesan, too.

Checking the Internal Temperature of Meatloaf

To know when the meatloaf is fully cooked throughout and safe to eat, the internal temperature at the center should register 165 degrees F. when tested with an instant-read meat thermometer probe.

Using an instant-read meat thermometer will keep you from overcooking the meatloaf, causing it to be dry and flavorless. Knowing the internal temperature also removes any guesswork in wondering if the meatloaf is fully cooked and safe for your family to eat.

Easy Side Dishes to Enjoy

A few side dishes that are simple to prepare and taste great with meatloaf are Air Fryer Broccoli Parmesan, Shoe Peg Corn Salad, and Cowboy Salad.

Shop the Recipe

Slow Cooker – Here’s the 6-quart one I have. It’ s easy to program and I love that the lid locks into place when you need to transport this slow cooker.

Disosable Food Prep Gloves – I keep these in my kitchen at all times for meal prep jobs that are messy.

Mixing Bowls that Nest – I love the silicone bottom to stabilize the bowls when I’m mixing and the handles are great for getting a good grip. I have found that each of the 3 different sizes that come in this set are ones that I use again and again.

Instant-Read Meat Thermometer – I still prefer the dial type! Keeping two in your kitchen at all times gives you a back-up when you’re wondering if the temperature read you’re getting is actual.