Love it or hate it (we love it!) meatloaf is a classic comfort food. This is a great versatile base recipe that works in the slow cooker or Instant Pot to keep things simple. I can either pop it in the slow cooker early in the day, or toss it in the Instant Pot half an hour before dinner.
We like both better than regular oven-baked meatloaf, plus you avoid the chance of any grease overflowing in the oven and causing a major cloud of smoke! (Just me?!)
Healthy Crock Pot Meatloaf
The slow cooker option (or slow cooker function on the Instant Pot) is great because it can cook while you work, go for a walk, or cross things off your to-do list. I like that I can get it done early in the day and not have to worry about anything later on.
To cook the meatloaf in the slow cooker, I like to just form it into the right shape with my hands and place it in the middle of the slow cooker. Make sure there are no areas touching the edges of the pot or they’ll get dry and crispy.
If you want, you can place the meatloaf in a loaf pan and put the whole thing in the slow cooker, but it’s not necessary. (Although it is easier to get out this way.)
Make Meatloaf Speedier in the Instant Pot
There is definitely a special place in my heart for my Instant Pot. It has saved my sanity many evenings when I’m running short on time.
To make Instant Pot meatloaf, I use the same recipe as for the slow cooker, but put the formed loaf in a baking dish that will fit in the Instant Pot. I add some water and the trivet to the bottom of the pot, put the baking dish on top of the trivet, and set the timer for 25 minutes.
I’ve also heard of cooking sweet potatoes in the bottom of the Instant Pot while the meatloaf is cooking up top. This post is handy for gauging the right-sized sweet potatoes for the amount of time it takes the meatloaf to cook.
Fun and Creative Meatloaf Ideas
Here are some other meatloaf variations we’ve enjoyed over the years:
- Meatloaf “Cupcakes” With Sweet Potato “Frosting” – My kids LOVE this fun spin on meatloaf (and make it themselves thanks to this online cooking class for kids). Don’t forget the chopped chives for sprinkles! Here’s the recipe.
- Greek-Inspired Meatloaf – This one mixes it up a little with ground turkey flavored with chopped mint and fennel and served with a yogurt sauce. Get the recipe here.
- Bacon and Barbecue Meatloaf – Add a little chopped bacon to the mix and top with barbeque sauce. No recipe required!
Bulk Cooking Tip
Meatloaf in all its varieties also freezes really well. Triple or quadruple this recipe (I bake some in the oven if I run out of room in the Instant Pot) and freeze for a later meal.
Crock Pot Meatloaf Recipe (With Instant Pot option)
Ingredients
- 2 lbs ground beef (or bison, turkey, or a combination)
- 1 medium onion (minced or pureed)
- 3 TBSP Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1½ tsp salt
- ¾ tsp black pepper
- 2 eggs
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in a medium sized bowl and mix lightly with hands to combine.
To cook in the Crock Pot
- Shape into a loaf and place it centered in the Crock Pot, making sure the edges of the meat aren't touching the edges.
- Put the lid on and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4 hours.
- When cooked, turn the Crock Pot off and let the meatloaf rest for about 15 minutes with the lid off before slicing.
- Top with homemade ketchup (optional) and serve.
To cook in the Instant Pot
- Put the trivet in the bottom of the Instant Pot and pour in 1 cup of water.
- Shape the meat into a loaf and place in a dish that fits into the Instant Pot.
- Put on the lid, set valve to seal, and pressure cook for 25 minutes with a quick pressure release.
- When cooked, turn the Instant Pot off and let the meatloaf rest for about 10 minutes with the lid off before slicing.
Notes
- Avoid dirtying extra dishes by putting in a dish that will fit in your Instant Pot or slow cooker before putting the meat in it -- try a stainless steel pan.
Nutrition
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Ever made meatloaf in a Crock Pot? What is your secret to great meatloaf? Share below!
Would it be okay if i used double the ingredients and use 4 lbs of burger?
how do you make homeade ketchup?
I skip the curry powder of this recipe but everything else is good. It took 5 minutes to make and was so good!!! 🙂
Suggested variation: Roll the “meatdough” into a thick flat rectangle. Then put on it some cheese and veggies (onions, peppers, tomatoes, olives, etc) and roll up so the filling makes a spiral in it. This offers some variation and more opportunity for veggies to be included.
Also, keep the dough lightly mixed so it keeps a good texture (I don’t like paste like meatloafs)
Love this recipe! I layer half the meat in the bottom. Then put diced red and green bell peppers, onions, olives, tomatoes, slivered almonds and Parmesan cheese over it. I cover it with the other half of meat mixture and cover that with more Parmesan cheese and almonds. After putting so much in the middle, I could no longer roll it! So this works too! Wonderful! Thank you for the idea!
One of those “why didn’t I think of that” moments. Rolling it is always the hardest part since I also try to stuff far too many veggies in it. Thanks for the insight!
Katie,
You will need to go ahead and have to add a recipe card section for me and these awesome crock meals. Loving it!
🙂 Glad you are enjoying. I’m actually working on some kind of printable ebook with all my recipes… and possibly a cookbook…
i add chopped carrots and celery to mine. it adds a little sweetness to it. i dont use eggs either and it is still really tasty
i add chopped carrots and celery to mine. it adds a little sweetness to it. i dont use eggs either and it is still really tasty
If not using eggs, will the loaf crumble? Any suggestions for making a tasty loaf without egg? Has anyone cut this recepie in half? Thanks 🙂
use mayo to replace eggs
Should you brown the meat before placing in the crock pot or put it in raw?
Just put it in raw
I don’t have a metal loaf pan, could I use a disposable pan?
I haven’t tried it, but you could always just make it in the crock
pot itself without another pan. It will be a little thinner but will still taste great!
could you cook it in foil also instead of a pan
Yes, just cook it on a cookie sheet.
No. Glaze inside of pot/cooking spray. Line/2 sheets of foil. Spray foil. Leave enough foil outside lid to facilitate lifting after cooking. Shape meatloaf on foil. I use a standard 4qt. round pot & this works well. Let loaf stand before cutting. Wrap leftovers in foil for next use.
Oh Good Idea?
I have a Cake and Bake pan that I’m going to use,,,I had them for many years , and also you have to use cooking spray too.
Yes, I have and I also regularly make it in the pressure cooker. Unfortunately I can’t use eggs in my meatloaf because my husbands sisters is allergic to eggs, feathers, etc. I’m used to adjusting recipes for the lack of egg. Your recipe is so straightforward and I’m sure tasty. I love meatloaf sandwiches w/the leftovers.
What do you use instead of eggs?
I use egg replacement powder…haven’t tried in meatloaf yet, but it works in other baked recipes really well.
Thank you for this recipe, I’ve been interested in trying a meatloaf without breadcrumbs now that we are grain free, and this sounds easy and good.
We do grain free meatloaf but use a little almond meal
Instead of bread crumbs I had the idea to use the dried mixed veggies that come in the bulk section of my local market (beets, green beans, turnips, etc), and ground them in to a chunky powder in my food processor. Soaks up some of the juices AND adds flavor and nutrients.
Use shredded cheddar cheese instead of breadcrumbs.