Ultimate Hearty Slow Cooker Meatloaf Recipe

Ingredients

• 1. A tablespoon of olive oil for a touch of richness
• 2. A quarter cup of finely chopped onion for added flavor
• 3. Two large cloves of garlic, minced finely for a fragrant kick
• 4. One and a half teaspoons of freshly ground black pepper for a spicy twist
• 5. A teaspoon of salt to enhance the taste
• 6. Two pounds of extra-lean ground beef for a hearty base
• 7. Three slices of bread, toasted and crumbled for texture
• 8. A mix of seven tablespoons of Italian breadcrumbs for a crunchy coating
• 9. An additional tablespoon of Italian breadcrumbs for extra crispiness
• 10. One egg, lightly beaten for binding
• 11. Three and a half tablespoons of nonfat plain yogurt for a creamy touch
• 12. Two and a half tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce, split for depth of flavor
• 13. One can of canned tomato soup (15 ounces), divided for a saucy finish
• 14. A quarter cup of milk, or as needed for consistency
• 15. Half a cup of water to balance the flavors
• 16. Three teaspoons of brown sugar for a hint of sweetness
• 17. Two teaspoons of prepared mustard for a tangy kick

Step 1

Prepare your slow cooker by crafting 2 lengthy aluminum foil strips that will serve as handles for lifting out the meatloaf once cooked. Lay the strips in a cross formation at the base of the cooker, ensuring they are long enough to fold over the loaf later on.

Step 2

In a skillet, sauté diced onion and minced garlic in olive oil until the onion turns soft. This should take around 5 minutes. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper, then transfer the mixture to a bowl. Combine ground beef, crumbled bread, bread crumbs, egg, yogurt, 1 1/2 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce, and half of the tomato soup in the same bowl. Mix thoroughly, adjusting the consistency by gradually adding a tablespoon of milk at a time until satisfactorily moist.

Step 3

Form the meat mixture into a sizable, circular loaf slightly smaller than the dimensions of your slow cooker. Gently place the loaf onto the foil strips in the cooker.

Step 4

Create a sauce by mixing the remaining tomato soup, Worcestershire sauce, water, brown sugar, and mustard in a separate bowl, then drizzle it over the meatloaf.

Step 5

Cover the slow cooker and let it simmer on Low for 8 to 9 hours or until the internal temperature reaches a minimum of 160 degrees F (71 degrees C).

Step 6

Once cooked, lift the meatloaf out using the foil handles and slice it as desired for serving.