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    Home » Recipes » Crockpot

    Easy Crockpot Meatloaf

    Published: Jan 15, 2014 · Modified: Feb 5, 2022 · This post may contain affiliate links

    60.5K shares
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    • 2
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Crockpot Easy Meatloaf is a great comfort dinner recipe and you can prepare this ahead of time as a freezer meal. This is my husbands favorite meal so I make it all of the time.

    Easy Crockpot Meatloaf recipe is tasty and super easy to prepare! Great freezer meal recipe!

    This easy crockpot recipe has very few ingredients in the meatloaf, but do not let that alarm you as it is full of great taste! This was super easy to prep as a freezer meal, took less than 10 minutes.

    Easy Crockpot Meatloaf recipe is tasty and super easy to prepare! Great freezer meal recipe!

    The day I made it, I simply took it from the freezer to the crockpot! It is that easy folks. Just put it in the crockpot and pour some ketchup or BBQ sauce over the top. You can also add a little brown sugar on top too. Put the lid on and let it cook away for at least 8 hours. This easy crockpot meatloaf recipe will be a part of our monthly menu from now on.

    If you are not preparing this as a freezer meal we suggest cooking it for 4-5 hours and checking it though we have only made it as a freezer meal.  You can line your slow cooker with foil before placing your frozen meatloaf in the crockpot to help the grease drain. We have a free shopping list for you for this recipe!  It includes a list for a single, double, triple or x10. We hope it makes your shopping easy!

    Be sure that you invest in a good quality slow cooker.  Our favorite is this programmable cook and carry 6qt oval slow cooker.  This Easy Crockpot Meatloaf is one of our recipes in our 20 Freezer Meals that you can cook in 4 hours.  We hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

    Meatloaf Tips:

    Use plastic gloves when you prepare your meatloaf - It really cuts down on the clean up!

    How to freeze meatloaf

    Meatloaf Recipes:

    Meatloaf Recipe (Melissa's Recipe)

    Brown Sugar Meatloaf

    Gluten Free Meatloaf

    Meatloaf in a Muffin Tin - Popular Recipe 

    Paleo Meatloaf

    Meatloaf 101 Recipe 

    Italian Meatloaf 

    Weight Watchers Points Plus: 6 Points Per Serving

    Easy Crockpot Meatloaf

    Crockpot Easy Meatloaf is a great comfort dinner recipe and you can prepare this ahead of time as a freezer meal. This is my husbands favorite meal so I make it all of the time. 
    5 from 13 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Crockpot
    Prep Time: 8 minutes
    Cook Time: 8 hours
    Total Time: 8 hours 8 minutes
    Servings: 4 people
    Author: Stephanie Ertel
    Cost: $6

    Ingredients

    • 2 large eggs beaten
    • ½ cup milk
    • ⅔ cup bread crumbs
    • ½ medium chopped onion
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon pepper
    • ½ teaspoon sage
    • 1 ½ lbs lean ground beef
    • 1 bottle ketchup or BBQ sauce

    Instructions

    • Label freezer bags with cooking directions and date.
    • Mix together place into freezer safe bags.
    • Place in freezer.
    • On Cooking day, put frozen meatloaf in crockpot, cover with ketchup or BBQ sauce (use as little or as much as you want).
    • Cook on low for 8-10 hours (Our frozen meatloaf was ready in 8 hours)
    Tried this recipe?Mention @SPMoms or tag #SPMOMS!

    20 Freezer Meals in 4 Hours with FREE printable shopping list to make it EASY!

    You may also like this plan - 20 freezer meals in 4 hours.

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    Shelley King
    Shelley King

    Shelley is a boy mom, marine wife, and is blessed with an amazing family. She loves sharing recipes, travel reviews and tips that focus on helping busy families make memories.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Amee @ didsomeonesaychocolate.com

      January 16, 2014 at 12:16 am

      My husband would adore me if I were to make this. He LOVES meatloaf! It sounds even better now that I know I can make it in my slow cooker. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

        March 04, 2015 at 5:11 pm

        You are welcome!

        Reply
    2. Su

      January 16, 2014 at 4:51 am

      I love the crock pot recipes. Keep 'em coming! thx

      Reply
      • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

        March 04, 2015 at 5:11 pm

        Thanks Su!

        Reply
    3. Maralea

      January 16, 2014 at 5:45 am

      I love these recipes you can make and freeze for later! Thank you!

      Reply
      • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

        March 04, 2015 at 5:12 pm

        You are welcome - Easy Crockpot Meatloaf is perfect!

        Reply
    4. Katharine

      January 26, 2014 at 6:02 pm

      This sounds great! I was wondering what becomes of the grease? Does it end up cooking back in or when you take the loaf out has it been sitting in grease?

      Reply
      • Stephanie@StockpilingMoms

        February 03, 2014 at 1:25 pm

        I used lean beef so I had very little grease in the bottom of the crockpot. Hope this helps answer your question!

        Reply
        • sherry dougherty

          February 03, 2014 at 7:00 pm

          How long would the cook time be if meatloaf is NOT frozen?

          Reply
          • Stephanie@StockpilingMoms

            February 16, 2014 at 3:04 pm

            Sherry I have not made it that way but what I would do is check on the meatloaf after 4 hours but I am thinking it would take 5-6 hours on Low. Hope this helps you!

            Reply
    5. Anonymous

      February 03, 2014 at 6:58 pm

      How long would the cook time be if meatloaf is NOT frozen?

      Reply
      • Stephanie@StockpilingMoms

        February 16, 2014 at 3:05 pm

        I have not made it that way but what I would do is check on the meatloaf after 4 hours but I am thinking it would take 5-6 hours on Low. Hope this helps you!

        Reply
    6. kayla

      February 05, 2014 at 7:42 pm

      Mine was pretty runny....is it suppose to be?

      Reply
      • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

        February 09, 2014 at 10:39 pm

        What size crockpot did you use? Did you freeze it first?

        Reply
    7. Melissa@StockpilingMoms

      February 09, 2014 at 10:45 pm

      5 stars
      We love this Easy Crockpot Meatloaf Recipe - it makes a great freezer meal!

      Reply
    8. Stephanie@StockpilingMoms

      February 16, 2014 at 3:06 pm

      5 stars
      Have this in my crockpot today! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this recipe!

      Reply
    9. Ginger

      March 26, 2014 at 2:14 pm

      Can you please tell me how long items last in the freezer when made for these dinners?

      Reply
      • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

        March 26, 2014 at 5:32 pm

        3 months - if you use a foodsaver it extends up to 2 years according the manufacturer.

        Reply
    10. Susan

      April 23, 2014 at 9:52 am

      Does the recipe call for 1/2 cup or 1 1/2 of milk? If the former, I'm in trouble. :/

      Reply
      • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

        June 14, 2014 at 6:19 pm

        It is 1/2 cup - thanks for finding our error. The recipe has been updated.

        Reply
    11. Anne

      January 13, 2015 at 1:01 pm

      How many loafs should you make? Or do you just make one large one to fit into the crockpot? I have a 4qt & 6 qt crockpot so I'm trying to figure out how big to make it.

      Reply
      • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

        March 04, 2015 at 5:16 pm

        One large one to fit the crockpot 🙂

        Reply
    12. Sue

      January 17, 2015 at 8:37 pm

      5 stars
      Love this meatloaf recipe. It is easy to make and a great idea for supper when working all day. I used my special ketchup recipe on top thou. Ketchup, brown sugar, little hickory smoke and garlic powder. Thanks for sharing it with me.

      Reply
      • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

        March 04, 2015 at 5:17 pm

        Thanks Sue! I agree those would be great additions!

        Reply
    13. Lucy

      January 20, 2015 at 6:54 pm

      Would you be able to add potatoes and carrots while it is cooking in the crock pot?

      Reply
      • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

        January 25, 2015 at 1:09 pm

        You should be able too just like our https://www.stockpilingmoms.com/2013/10/complete-steak-dinner-in-a-crockpot/ - if you do let us know!

        Reply
    14. Kristi

      January 28, 2015 at 1:15 pm

      I did the frozen version… but I don't have 8-10 hours on low (time).. can I do 4-5 hours on high and get the same results?

      Reply
      • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

        January 28, 2015 at 2:21 pm

        Here is a slow cooker conversion for you - https://www.stockpilingmoms.com/2015/02/slow-cooker-conversions/

        Reply
    15. Patricialynn

      February 03, 2015 at 7:32 am

      Looks good and moist!

      Reply
      • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

        March 04, 2015 at 5:19 pm

        It is!

        Reply
    16. Chelsea

      February 08, 2015 at 3:03 pm

      I was looking at this page, which requires 1/2 cup of milk. But when you click on the shopping list for this recipe, it calls for 1 1/2 cups of milk. Which is it?

      Reply
      • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

        February 09, 2015 at 3:57 pm

        Oh my! That is an error on our shopping lists! Thanks for catching it.

        Reply
        • Kim

          June 06, 2016 at 10:06 pm

          You haven't updated this error yet on your shopping list, my am I glad I read the comments 😉 Sounds like a great recipe, thank you!!

          Reply
    17. petra

      February 08, 2015 at 10:44 pm

      Freezer to crockpot and a short list of ingredients. Couldn't get much easier.

      Reply
      • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

        March 04, 2015 at 5:19 pm

        Thanks Petra!

        Reply
    18. Kelly Caufield

      February 13, 2015 at 1:26 pm

      Omg!!! This looks amazing!!! 🙂

      Reply
      • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

        March 04, 2015 at 5:19 pm

        Thanks Kelly - it is a reader favorite for sure!

        Reply
    19. Lauren

      March 09, 2015 at 10:58 am

      Would cook time/recipe be the same if only used 1 pound of ground beef?

      Reply
    20. Greg A

      March 31, 2015 at 9:41 pm

      5 stars
      Made this today - it was really good! One pound of thawed beef. I did it for five hours - the last half hour I did on high. Just followed the recipe and it turned out great.

      Reply
    21. Becky

      April 20, 2015 at 6:04 am

      We just moved in to our house and the 1950s oven does not work. With all the other renovations we need to do right away we aren't able to replace the oven right now. So I gave this recipe a try. I am so glad I did! My husband says it is better than my regular go to meatloaf! We will definitely be using this recipe again! Thanks so much!

      Reply
      • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

        September 06, 2016 at 7:38 pm

        5 stars
        Woo Hoo! So glad you liked it!

        Reply
    22. Jocelyn

      August 01, 2015 at 10:41 pm

      Hi there! Do you add the ketchup to the mixture before it gets frozen or only when you put it in the crockpot? Or do you put ketchup in before it gets frozen AND when you put it in the crockpot? Thanks!

      Reply
      • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

        August 04, 2015 at 7:52 pm

        Mix it before it gets frozen and then add it to the crockpot before you cook. So both 🙂

        Reply
    23. Bonnie

      August 08, 2015 at 11:33 am

      5 stars
      Melissa, You have gone and done it again girl. Thanks for making my life easier with this nice meatloaf that makes my family go crazy. It's a homemade favorite with my busy family.
      What more can I tell you but a hug and a big thank you for sharing.
      B

      Reply
    24. Lexi

      November 16, 2015 at 7:29 pm

      how much Ketchup or BBQ sauce do you mix in?

      Reply
      • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

        November 17, 2015 at 6:20 pm

        As much as you want to taste. We do at least a 1/2 cup.

        Reply
    25. Carey B

      December 31, 2015 at 7:18 pm

      I have my moms meatloaf recipe. It is very similar to the easy one, but a bit more spices. Do you think it would freeze and cook the same way if I followed the cooking directions? Thanks!

      Reply
      • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

        January 02, 2016 at 10:23 pm

        Yes, they freeze really well!

        Reply
      • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

        February 27, 2017 at 11:47 pm

        Yes!

        Reply
    26. Mary

      January 14, 2016 at 1:27 am

      Is there any suggestions to substitute out the eggs? We have an egg allergy in our family...can they be left out or is there any suggestions you might have to substitute?

      Reply
      • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

        January 14, 2016 at 4:09 pm

        You could use bread softened in milk. I haven't tried it in meatloaf myself but a friend told me she used this in meatballs.

        Reply
    27. Savita

      September 14, 2016 at 2:18 pm

      Can this be done with deer meat? And do you just freeze it flat Jn a gallon bag or trying mold it while freezing? Will it not dry out if in too big of a crock pot?

      Reply
      • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

        September 15, 2016 at 8:08 am

        Yes you could make this out of deer meat. I have used bison before. You may need to add a little fat so it doesn't try out. We molded it will freezing but you could always reshape after freezing.

        Reply
    28. Anna

      October 23, 2016 at 6:58 pm

      Is it necessary to cover in ketchup or BBQ sauce? Could I cook it in the crockpot without adding the sauce on top?

      Reply
      • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

        October 24, 2016 at 8:08 am

        Yes you can! No problem.

        Reply
    29. MidwestMomOfFour

      May 04, 2017 at 7:52 pm

      5 stars
      Thanks!!! This one totally scored me a few "awesome mom" points! My 6 year old told me it was "totally delicious"! And my husband walked in the door seen a meatloaf on the table and turned around to walk back out and read the address cause he thought he had the wrong house! Meatloaf was previously not on our menu, with four kids from 2-7 I didn't have that kind of meal prep time. But this crock pot version is AMAZINGLY EASY AND DELICIOUS as my 6 year old stated!!

      Reply
    30. Amber Bennett

      August 13, 2017 at 9:30 pm

      Is there any chance if you know if I can make this recipe without the egg? My 4 year old is deathly allergic to eggs, my mother-in-law found a recipe that calls for eggs but she removed them and it still works but I'm not sure if all recipes work like that.

      Reply
      • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

        August 14, 2017 at 10:47 am

        Can you use an egg substitute? The egg is just for binding the breadcrumbs.

        Reply
    31. Kelly West

      August 15, 2017 at 8:40 pm

      Does doubling the recipe change the cooking instructions? Still just one (bigger) loaf in the crock?

      Reply
      • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

        August 16, 2017 at 12:38 pm

        Just a larger crock pot 🙂

        Reply
    32. Allison

      August 31, 2017 at 12:12 am

      My standard meatloaf recipe uses oats instead of breadcrumbs, would that work in this and if so how much?

      Reply
      • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

        August 31, 2017 at 12:57 pm

        Yes you can use oats instead of breadcrumbs. 1/2 cup.

        Reply
    33. Lynn Spahn

      December 30, 2017 at 9:56 pm

      What do you use, to get it out of the crockpot, in one piece? Do you do something before? Thanks.

      Reply
      • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

        January 02, 2018 at 4:31 pm

        You can place foil under the meatloaf to help give it a shape and remove from the crockpot. Or a crockpot liner. I spoon right out of the crockpot though for serving.

        Reply
    34. Chrissy

      January 04, 2018 at 5:46 am

      Will this recipe still work if my meat is already frozen, and I throw the remaining ingredients with the frozen meat into the bag? Perhaps I should let it all thaw the night before, then mix it all together, prior to cooking? Your suggestions please and thanks

      Reply
      • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

        January 09, 2018 at 9:21 am

        Yes, that will work!

        Reply
    35. lolade

      January 23, 2018 at 8:57 am

      Hi! what veggies and carbs go well with the meatloaf?

      Reply
      • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

        January 23, 2018 at 6:35 pm

        We like green beans or peas and mashed potatoes.

        Reply
        • Andrea

          February 21, 2018 at 10:07 pm

          I put strips of red bell pepper on the top 🙂

          Reply
    36. Mandie

      March 01, 2018 at 9:34 pm

      5 stars
      I'm making this, right now...I used mushroom soup on top, instead of katsup...

      Reply
    37. Amanda

      March 04, 2018 at 9:20 am

      This might sound like a dumb question but I'm new to all of this freeze to crockpot meals. You said to put the meat loaf directly into the crockpot frozen. Is it easy to get out of the bag if it's still frozen? Thanks for your help!

      Reply
      • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

        March 04, 2018 at 11:14 pm

        It sure is! It pops right out!

        Reply
    38. Diana Lyons

      June 04, 2018 at 2:34 am

      Have to try this tomorrow(crock pot meatloaf) due to my 1935 Home Comfort wood cook stove is out of commission while we are realigning the stove pipe after removing a pure blue bird that fell/blew into the upper pipe ;( Life in the UP of Michigan.) Eeh! PS the glaze I put on my oven meatloaf is KC Masterpiece "Caribbean Jerk" Marinade w/ a little ketchup. Totally awesome if you like some ZIP to the top glaze. Thank you for this approach.

      Reply
    39. Connie Youmans

      November 17, 2018 at 2:39 pm

      5 stars
      We always used stale bread soaked in milk instead of bread crumbs, never used an egg to bind as the milk & bread do it for you.

      Reply
    40. Alexandra

      December 29, 2018 at 5:13 am

      Can this be thawed and baked in the oven?

      Reply
      • Melissa@StockpilingMoms

        January 02, 2019 at 2:11 pm

        Yes for sure!

        Reply
    41. Olga

      February 02, 2019 at 2:35 pm

      5 stars
      Made the meatloaf exactly as per your recipe and it came out perfect and delicious my husband loved it

      Reply
    42. Kim

      June 23, 2019 at 10:32 pm

      5 stars
      I am curious about freezing milk and eggs... my mom said it’s nasty when u do that ... do you think leaving them out until the end and reshaping it after letting it defrost will be any different than freezing it with everything?

      Reply
      • Melissa Jennings

        June 24, 2019 at 4:03 pm

        You can totally freeze it with the milk and eggs! You can also freeze milk and freeze eggs 🙂

        https://www.stockpilingmoms.com/frugal-friday-how-to-freeze-milk-and-eggs/

        Reply
    43. Jennifer

      August 29, 2019 at 1:57 pm

      5 stars
      I've made this several times and its delicious! I'm wanting to try it with ground Turkey instead of ground beef next time, do you think that will turn out ok?

      Reply
      • Melissa Jennings

        August 30, 2019 at 10:06 am

        Yes! It may cook a little quicker or be slightly drier but I do a mix of ground chicken/turkey/beef often.

        Reply
    44. Jenn

      September 24, 2020 at 7:52 am

      5 stars
      I LOVE this recipe! My husband loves to eat it and I love to make it. Delicious and super easy!!

      Reply

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