Slow Cooker Meatloaf with Ketchup Sauce Recipe
This Slow Cooker Meatloaf with Ketchup Sauce recipe is a comforting and flavorful dish that combines ground beef, vegetables, and seasonings baked to perfection in a slow cooker. The low and slow cooking method ensures a juicy and tender meatloaf that’s topped with a sweet and tangy homemade ketchup-based glaze. Ideal for weeknight dinners, this hands-off recipe is easy to prepare and yields a hearty meal that serves six.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours 30 minutes
- Total Time: 5 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Meatloaf
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup diced white onion
- 1 cup diced red or green bell pepper
- ⅓ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup milk
- ½ tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- 25 saltine crackers, crushed
- 2 lbs ground beef (7% – 10% fat)
Ketchup Sauce
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp mustard
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the meat mixture: In a large bowl, combine the eggs, diced onion, bell pepper, ketchup, milk, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Add crushed saltine crackers and mix thoroughly using clean hands. Finally, add the ground beef and gently mix just until all ingredients come together, being careful not to overwork the meat to maintain tenderness.
- Shape the meatloaf: Spray a 6-quart slow cooker with non-stick spray. Shape the meat mixture into a loaf and place it on the bottom of the slow cooker. If the mixture is too wet to hold its shape, add additional crushed saltines until firm enough to shape.
- Cook the meatloaf: Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 5 to 6 hours. Avoid opening the lid during cooking to maintain consistent temperature and moisture for even cooking and optimal texture.
- Remove excess fat: After cooking, carefully scoop out any accumulated fat from the slow cooker and discard it to keep the meatloaf leaner and less greasy.
- Prepare and add the sauce: In a small bowl, mix together the ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. Spoon this sauce evenly over the cooked meatloaf inside the slow cooker.
- Final cooking with sauce: Cover and cook the meatloaf with the sauce on LOW for an additional 30 minutes to heat through and allow the flavors to meld into the meatloaf.
- Serve: Once finished, serve the meatloaf warm and enjoy your hearty, flavorful meal perfect for any occasion.
Notes
- If you don’t have saltine crackers, substitute with 1 cup of crushed Ritz crackers, oatmeal, or breadcrumbs.
- Ground turkey can replace beef; increase the amount of crushed saltines as turkey tends to be wetter than beef.
- Try topping variations such as barbecue sauce, warm brown gravy, plain ketchup, or zesty salsa for different flavors.
- The meatloaf may still appear pink in the center due to myoglobin reacting to heat, but as long as the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C), it is safe to eat.
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