Easy, juicy, and delicious Crockpot Meatloaf stuffed with melty cheese and prepared in the slow cooker! This satisfying dinner idea is big on flavor with minimal effort.
If you are looking for an oven-baked meatloaf, try my classic meatloaf recipe.
Super Simple Slow Cooker Meatloaf
When life is too hectic and you need some serious comfort food without the serious effort, this slow cooker meatloaf is the answer. It has all the flavor and texture you love in a traditional meatloaf recipe, except you don’t need to keep an eye on the oven. Just add your ingredients to the crockpot and walk away. Go read a good book and revel in how amazing your home will smell by dinner time! ✌️
This easy crockpot meatloaf is a perfectly tender and cheesy meatloaf cooked in the Crock Pot and topped with a lip-smacking honey-sriracha glaze. It’s SO GOOD!
What I Love About this Recipe
Even your pickiest eater will be raving about this recipe for several reasons, including:
- Tender meat: Meatloaf cooked in the crockpot will never turn out dry or tough because a slow cooked meat results in a tender and super juicy meal.
- Easy prep: Doesn’t everyone love a classic recipe that you can cook in the slow cooker? Put it together in the morning, set it in the slow cooker, and come home to a cheesy Meatloaf ready to be devoured. YES, please!
- Big flavor: This meatloaf recipe hits it out of the park in the flavor department!
If you enjoy a good slice of homemade meatloaf there is absolutely no reason this recipe should not be on your dinner menu stat.
HOW TO MAKE MEATLOAF IN THE CROCKPOT
Making meatloaf has never been easier than with this crockpot method. It holds together when slicing and it tastes so darn good, thanks to the cheese!
- Mix the ingredients. In a mixing bowl, combine ground beef, bread crumbs, seasonings, onions, sauces, eggs, and milk; mix until thoroughly combined. Use your hands – it’s the easiest according to …me. 😃 And Alton Brown.
- Prep your slow cooker. In the meantime, line a slow cooker with aluminum foil and grease it with cooking spray.
- Add meatloaf ingredients: Transfer half of the meat mixture to the slow cooker and press it down.
- Add cheese. Top with shredded mozzarella cheese and add the rest of the meat mixture over the cheese.
- Using your hands, shape the meat into a loaf. If you want, grease hands with cooking spray so it’s less of a sticky situation. If you’d rather shape it outside of the slow cooker, and then transfer shaped meat into the slow cooker – please, by all means, go ahead. Whatever is easier for you. ✔️
- Top meat with half of the glaze; cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours. You can also cook it on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours. Meatloaf is done when temperature reaches 160˚F on an Instant Read Thermometer.
- Lift out the meatloaf by holding onto the foil. Transfer to a baking dish and top with the rest of the glaze.
- Broil briefly. Pop it under the broiler for 4 minutes, or until browned.
- Rest and serve. Garnish with parsley, rest for 10 minutes, then serve.
Low Carb Variations
- You can use almond flour/almond meal in place of bread crumbs.
- Use heavy cream in place of milk.
- Try this delicious Low Carb Barbecue Sauce for the glaze.
Can I Make this Recipe in the Oven?
- Yes! ✔️ Prepare as directed and shape the meatloaf.
- Transfer meatloaf to a greased or foil-lined baking dish and spread with half of the glaze.
- Bake at 350˚F for 55 to 65 minutes.
- When finished baking, spread the rest of the glaze over the Meatloaf and continue to cook for 4 to 5 minutes, or until glaze is nicely browned.
- Remove from oven; let rest for 10 minutes and serve.
What Goes with Meatloaf?
So many things! I’m a big fan of Mashed Sweet Potatoes and Creamy Mashed Cauliflower with a juicy slice of homemade meatloaf. If I’m feeling really fancy I might also add some Roasted Green Beans or Red Cabbage and Carrot Slaw to my plate!
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Let your cooked meatloaf cool and then transfer to airtight containers and store in the fridge. It will keep for 3-4 days. When you’re ready to heat up some extras, just add a slice or two to a plate and zap them in the microwave for about 2 minutes.
You can also freeze meatloaf by transferring slices to airtight, freezer-safe containers and storing them in the freezer. The meatloaf will keep for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge when you want to eat it, then reheat in the microwave as described above.
ENJOY!
Tools Used in this Recipe
Mozzarella Stuffed Crockpot Meatloaf
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds 80% to 85% lean ground beef
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 small yellow onion, shredded (use the large holes on a cheese grater to shred the onion)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 1/2 cup 2% milk
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
- 8 ounces part skim shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/3 cup barbecue sauce
- 2 tablespoons sugar free ketchup
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Sriracha sauce
- chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Line a 6-quart slow cooker (or a bigger slow cooker) with a large sheet of aluminum foil. Grease with cooking spray and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, onions, garlic, Italian Seasoning, salt, pepper, ground mustard, egg, milk, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix with your hands until combined, but DO NOT overmix.
- Divide meat in half.
- Press one half of the meat into the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Spread shredded mozzarella down the center, leaving about 1/2 inch space around the sides.
- Top with remaining meat and shape it into a loaf, and press around to seal the edges. Set aside.
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the barbecue sauce, ketchup, honey, Worcestershire sauce, and Sriracha sauce.
- Brush half of the glaze over the meatloaf. Reserve the remaining half for later.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours. Meatloaf is done when temperature reaches 160˚F on an Instant Read Thermometer.
- Lift out the meatloaf by holding onto the foil; transfer to a baking dish and top with the rest of the glaze.
- Pop it under the broiler for 3 to 4 minutes, or until browned.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes.
- Garnish with parsley and serve.
Video
Notes
- Use Fat-Free Shredded Mozzarella and lower points down to 10.
- Stored cooked AND completely cooled meatloaf in an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 4 days.
- To FREEZE: cut Meatloaf into slices and freeze it in covered airtight containers OR heavy-duty freezer bags.
Nutrition
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
An instant family hit with my hubby and 2 sons! It’s hard to find meals that fill these guys up, but this does it, AND we have leftovers most of the time. I first tried this in August, and we’ve had it 4 times since which is really saying something with these picky eaters. I pair it with broccoli, and mashed potatoes and voila!
That’s wonderful! I’m very glad you and your family enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
Is it okay if I mixed the cheese into the mixture ?
Hi!
Yep, you can mix it in.
Question. Meatloaf was delicious but I prefer more of a tomato based glaze then bbq. Can you tell me how I go do that? Just add more ketchup less bbq?
Help! Our family loves this recipe but we need a lactose free version for a special visitor. If the cheese were to be omitted, would anything else need to be changed about the recipe?
Hi!
The meat will still take just as long to cook through, so no changes needed. Meatloaf is done when internal temperature reaches 160˚F on an Instant Read Thermometer. I hope your special guest will enjoy it! 😊
I guess I am just stumped at how 1.5 lbs. of meat can feed 8 people.
Hi!
A serving size of cooked ground beef is 3 ounces.
This was SO good! I followed it as written but in the oven and wouldn’t change anything. Highly recommend and will definitely be making again!
That’s great! I am very glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
Scrumptious!
By Far, the easiest meatloaf dish … I am a beginner with cooking and badabing!
I didn’t put it under the broiler and totally delish!
Thank you for sharing your recipe!
That’s great! I’m very glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
This is by far the best meatloaf recipe I have tried! The glaze is phenomenal! But all the cheese ran out of the side 😭 How can I prevent this next time?!
20 stars!! My family will not eat any other meatloaf!! It is amazing! I cook it in the oven too and it turns out perfect! Thank you!!
If I could give this 10 stars, I would… hands down best meatloaf recipe I’ve ever had, let alone cooked – sent it to like 20 people today… amazing amazing amazing!!
THANK YOU! I am very happy you enjoyed this recipe! 🙂
I stuck a potato behind the foil for each person. Using the high setting, potatoes and meatloaf were done in 3 hours. Easy peasy!
I am very happy you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂