Ella Walter
Cooking meatloaf in a crock pot is a great way to enjoy a classic comfort food with less stress and minimal cleanup. This method produces a tender and moist dish that can be paired with mashed potatoes and vegetables for a hearty meal. Preparing the meatloaf involves combining ingredients such as ground beef, eggs, milk, breadcrumbs, and seasonings, shaping it into an oval, and placing it in a foil-lined crock pot. The cooking time varies from 3 to 6 hours, depending on the desired temperature setting. This convenient approach allows you to come home to a delicious and mostly finished dinner.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meat | Ground beef, ground turkey |
| Other ingredients | Eggs, milk, breadcrumbs, stuffing mix, ketchup, minced onion, brown sugar, vinegar, Ritz crackers, tomatoes, meatloaf seasoning |
| Cooking time | 3-6 hours |
| Temperature | Low |
| Internal temperature | 160°F |
| Sides | Mashed potatoes, carrots, corn salad, broccoli, root vegetables, spinach, sprouts |
| Storage | Refrigerate for 2-3 days, freeze for up to 3 months |
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What You'll Learn
Meatloaf ingredients and preparation
To make meatloaf in a crock pot, you'll need the following ingredients:
- Ground beef
- Minced onion
- Stuffing mix (dried)
- Milk
- Eggs
- Ketchup
- Brown sugar
- Vinegar
- Salt and pepper
You can also add other ingredients such as breadcrumbs, Ritz crackers, canned tomatoes, meatloaf seasoning, or Worcestershire sauce. If you want to make a turkey meatloaf, simply substitute the ground beef with ground turkey.
Here's a step-by-step guide to preparing the meatloaf:
- Line a 4.5- to 6-quart slow cooker with aluminium foil, pressing it into the bottom and up two sides of the crockpot. Spray the foil lightly with a non-stick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients except the ketchup. Mix thoroughly.
- Shape the mixture into an oval or rectangular loaf that will fit into the crockpot without touching the sides.
- Place the loaf in the centre of the crockpot and spread ketchup over the top.
- Cover the crockpot and cook on low heat for 3 to 6 hours or on high heat for 2 to 3 hours. The meatloaf is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 160°F.
- Carefully lift the meatloaf out of the crockpot using the foil overhang and place it on a baking sheet.
- If desired, broil the meatloaf in the oven until the top is browned.
- Slice the meatloaf and serve with your favourite sides, such as mashed potatoes, carrots, or a simple salad.
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Crockpot setup and cooking time
To cook meatloaf in a crock pot with potatoes, you'll first want to line your crock pot with foil. This makes cleanup easier and helps you remove the meatloaf from the crock pot after cooking. If using a slow cooker, choose a 4.5- to 5-quart size and spray the foil with cooking spray.
Next, prepare your meatloaf mixture. Combine all ingredients except ketchup in a large bowl and mix well. Shape the mixture into a loaf, oval, or rectangle that will fit in the center of your crock pot without touching the sides.
Place the meatloaf in the crock pot and spread ketchup or glaze over the top. Cover the crock pot and cook on low heat for 3 to 6 hours or on high heat for 2 to 3 hours. The cooking time will depend on the size of your meatloaf, with a 2-pound meatloaf taking about 6 hours on low or 3 hours on high.
You can check if your meatloaf is done by inserting a meat thermometer into the center of the loaf. It's ready when the thermometer reads 160°F. When finished, lift the meatloaf out of the crock pot using the foil overhang and place it on a baking sheet. Top with additional glaze and broil until the glaze is sticky and bubbly.
For potatoes, you can cut small potatoes in half and add them to the crock pot along with the meatloaf. You can also add other vegetables like carrots, celery, and onions to create a complete meal.
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Glazing and serving the meatloaf
Once your meatloaf has finished cooking in the crock pot, carefully lift it out using the foil overhang and place it on a baking sheet. Top the meatloaf with the glaze—you can make this from ketchup, minced onion, brown sugar, and vinegar—and broil it until the glaze is sticky and bubbly.
Serve the meatloaf sliced, with the remaining glaze on the side for drizzling. You can also garnish the meatloaf with fresh herbs. This dish pairs well with mashed potatoes and vegetables such as carrots, creamed spinach, or roasted root vegetables.
If you have any leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days or in the freezer for up to three months. To reheat the meatloaf, preheat the oven to 250°F, place the meatloaf in an oven-safe baking dish with a tablespoon of beef broth or water, cover with foil, and bake for 25 to 30 minutes.
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Storing and reheating leftovers
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers should be stored in the refrigerator or freezer, depending on how long you plan to keep them before consuming. For short-term storage, leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cover the dish well, or place leftovers in airtight containers or bags to prevent spoilage and maintain moisture.
For longer-term storage, leftovers can be frozen for up to 3 months. Wrap the leftovers well or place them in airtight containers before freezing.
Reheating Leftovers
The best way to reheat your meatloaf and potatoes will depend on whether they were refrigerated or frozen, and whether you are reheating them separately or together.
Reheating Refrigerated Leftovers
If your leftovers are in the refrigerator, you can reheat them in an ovenproof dish. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) for a standard meatloaf, or 375°F for a meatloaf and potato casserole. Place the leftovers in the ovenproof dish and heat for 20 to 30 minutes, or until heated through. Use an instant-read thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches at least 165°F (74°C) to ensure safe consumption.
Alternatively, you can use a microwave for quicker reheating. Place the meatloaf and potatoes in separate microwave-safe dishes. Heat the meatloaf for about 2.5 minutes and the potatoes for 2 minutes.
Reheating Frozen Leftovers
If your leftovers are frozen, it is best to thaw them overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Slice the meatloaf into portions to allow for more even reheating and reduce the overall cooking time. Wrap each portion in aluminum foil to retain moisture and prevent drying out.
Place the foil-wrapped portions on a baking sheet and reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 30 to 45 minutes. Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 165°F (74°C). If you prefer a crispy exterior, remove the foil during the last 10-15 minutes of reheating.
You can also reheat frozen leftovers in the crockpot by adding a bit of liquid to prevent drying and cooking on low for a few hours.
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Potato side dishes
- Mashed potatoes: a classic, creamy, and comforting side dish that can be made ahead of time and enriched with cream cheese.
- Roasted potatoes: crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, these potatoes are tossed with olive oil, herbs, and spices before being roasted in the oven.
- Smashed potatoes: a unique take on roasted potatoes, where whole potatoes are smashed and then roasted on a hot sheet pan, creating random breaking patterns.
- Funeral potatoes: a cheesy potato bake that is a welcome sight at big gatherings and can be made ahead of time.
- Au gratin potatoes: a classic casserole dish where potatoes are bathed in a rich and creamy cheese sauce, then baked until bubbly and crisp.
- Twice-baked potatoes: a comforting combination of potatoes, cheese, and bacon that is baked and then served in ramekins with fresh cilantro, cold yogurt, and hot rotis.
- Sweet potatoes: tender potatoes swirled with butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg, topped with a light cloud of whipped egg white meringue instead of the traditional marshmallow topping.
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Frequently asked questions
To cook meatloaf in a crock pot, first line the crock pot with foil. Then, combine the meatloaf ingredients, mix well, and place in the crock pot. Top with glaze, cover, and cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 3 hours. When finished, carefully lift out the meatloaf and place it on a baking sheet. Top with more glaze and broil until the glaze is sticky and bubbly. Serve with potatoes cooked separately in the crock pot.
Cooking meatloaf in a crock pot can take anywhere from 3 to 6 hours, depending on the size of the loaf and the heat setting. A 2-pound meatloaf will take about 6 hours on low or 3 hours on high.
The ideal temperature for cooking meatloaf in a crock pot is 160°F. Use a meat thermometer to check that the meat has reached this temperature before removing it from the crock pot.
To make a glaze for meatloaf, mix ketchup, minced onion, brown sugar, and vinegar. Spread the glaze on top of the meatloaf before and after cooking.
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