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.
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.
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!
Meatloaf Recipes:
Meatloaf Recipe (Melissa's Recipe)
Meatloaf in a Muffin Tin - Popular Recipe
Weight Watchers Points Plus: 6 Points Per Serving
Easy Crockpot Meatloaf
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)
You may also like this plan - 20 freezer meals in 4 hours.
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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.
Amee @ didsomeonesaychocolate.com
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!
You are welcome!
Su
I love the crock pot recipes. Keep 'em coming! thx
Thanks Su!
Maralea
I love these recipes you can make and freeze for later! Thank you!
You are welcome - Easy Crockpot Meatloaf is perfect!
Katharine
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?
Stephanie@StockpilingMoms
I used lean beef so I had very little grease in the bottom of the crockpot. Hope this helps answer your question!
sherry dougherty
How long would the cook time be if meatloaf is NOT frozen?
Stephanie@StockpilingMoms
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!
Anonymous
How long would the cook time be if meatloaf is NOT frozen?
Stephanie@StockpilingMoms
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!
kayla
Mine was pretty runny....is it suppose to be?
What size crockpot did you use? Did you freeze it first?
We love this Easy Crockpot Meatloaf Recipe - it makes a great freezer meal!
Stephanie@StockpilingMoms
Have this in my crockpot today! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this recipe!
Ginger
Can you please tell me how long items last in the freezer when made for these dinners?
3 months - if you use a foodsaver it extends up to 2 years according the manufacturer.
Susan
Does the recipe call for 1/2 cup or 1 1/2 of milk? If the former, I'm in trouble. :/
It is 1/2 cup - thanks for finding our error. The recipe has been updated.
Anne
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.
One large one to fit the crockpot 🙂
Sue
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.
Thanks Sue! I agree those would be great additions!
Lucy
Would you be able to add potatoes and carrots while it is cooking in the crock pot?
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!
Kristi
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?
Here is a slow cooker conversion for you - https://www.stockpilingmoms.com/2015/02/slow-cooker-conversions/
Patricialynn
Looks good and moist!
It is!
Chelsea
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?
Oh my! That is an error on our shopping lists! Thanks for catching it.
Kim
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!!
petra
Freezer to crockpot and a short list of ingredients. Couldn't get much easier.
Thanks Petra!
Kelly Caufield
Omg!!! This looks amazing!!! 🙂
Thanks Kelly - it is a reader favorite for sure!
Lauren
Would cook time/recipe be the same if only used 1 pound of ground beef?
Greg A
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.
Becky
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!
Woo Hoo! So glad you liked it!
Jocelyn
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!
Mix it before it gets frozen and then add it to the crockpot before you cook. So both 🙂
Bonnie
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
Lexi
how much Ketchup or BBQ sauce do you mix in?
As much as you want to taste. We do at least a 1/2 cup.
Carey B
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!
Yes, they freeze really well!
Yes!
Mary
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?
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.
Savita
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?
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.
Anna
Is it necessary to cover in ketchup or BBQ sauce? Could I cook it in the crockpot without adding the sauce on top?
Yes you can! No problem.
MidwestMomOfFour
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!!
Amber Bennett
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.
Can you use an egg substitute? The egg is just for binding the breadcrumbs.
Kelly West
Does doubling the recipe change the cooking instructions? Still just one (bigger) loaf in the crock?
Just a larger crock pot 🙂
Allison
My standard meatloaf recipe uses oats instead of breadcrumbs, would that work in this and if so how much?
Yes you can use oats instead of breadcrumbs. 1/2 cup.
Lynn Spahn
What do you use, to get it out of the crockpot, in one piece? Do you do something before? Thanks.
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.
Chrissy
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
Yes, that will work!
lolade
Hi! what veggies and carbs go well with the meatloaf?
We like green beans or peas and mashed potatoes.
Andrea
I put strips of red bell pepper on the top 🙂
Mandie
I'm making this, right now...I used mushroom soup on top, instead of katsup...
Amanda
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!
It sure is! It pops right out!
Diana Lyons
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.
Connie Youmans
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.
Alexandra
Can this be thawed and baked in the oven?
Yes for sure!
Olga
Made the meatloaf exactly as per your recipe and it came out perfect and delicious my husband loved it
Kim
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?
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/
Jennifer
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?
Yes! It may cook a little quicker or be slightly drier but I do a mix of ground chicken/turkey/beef often.
Jenn
I LOVE this recipe! My husband loves to eat it and I love to make it. Delicious and super easy!!