You might recall that I already have a recipe on this site for Crock Pot Meatloaf, but it calls for potatoes and carrots…this crock pot cheeseburger meatloaf is like one big cheeseburger patty. It’s just heaven on a plate.
I first came across a recipe for Cheeseburger Meatloaf somewhere on the internet and I changed it to suit our tastes…and then I knew I could re-create it to be fixed in the crock pot. It is literally the best meatloaf I’ve ever had.
In fact, when I made it the first time, Barry was out of town. I got up from the table and got my phone to text him. I said “I just made the best meatloaf of my entire life.” And then we ate it all without him. Sad how things work out that way for him. Oh well. I was happy and so was Annie.
As I often do, I used venison for this cheeseburger meatloaf. You’ll also need bacon – I used turkey bacon (cook it and cut it up into little pieces in advance). Rounding out the list is cheese, eggs, oatmeal, mayonnaise, ketchup, chopped pickles (or dill relish), salt, onion powder, pepper, dry mustard, and additional ketchup for the top. Because we all know a cheeseburger HAS to have ketchup on top.
Again, I grab my trusty meatloaf bowl. What does it say about me to know that I have a bowl dedicated solely to meatloaf? Put everything in there except the ketchup I mentioned for the top.
Clip your fingernails before you start this…..or else you’ll be cleaning meat out for a while. I like mixing meatloaf up with my hands because I can tell it’s really all mixed together.
Here’s a tip for you if you hate that (I don’t, but I know I’m weird) – use your stand mixer. My mom successfully mixes meatloaf in her mixer…the key is to only mix it until it’s combined. Or else you might cook a meatloaf rock. Then you’d be ridiculed by your family until you die.
Shape your meat mixture into a loaf in the middle of the crock pot. I imagine you can just pat it out flat, but then it wouldn’t be a “loaf” would it? I like sticking with the loaf shape. I’m a stickler.
Put some ketchup on the top. You can spread it if you so desire…but I like to make weird designs with my ketchup. Don’t tell me you haven’t done it too. I call this “Ketchup Rain.”
Turn your crock to HIGH and let it cook that way for one hour. Set a timer…or else you will forget. Or so I hear from OTHER PEOPLE. *Cough*
After one hour, turn the crock down to low and let it cook for another six hours. If you were going to work, you could start the high cycle and then get ready. When you were leaving, you could switch it to low…but then again, will you be back home in six hours? Hmmmmm. Maybe make this on Saturday instead.
My cheeseburger meatloaf was done after 6 hours. I guess it depends on how thick your loaf is. Make sure it reads 160 degrees with your food thermometer.
Crock Pot Cheeseburger Meatloaf
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground meat beef, turkey, or chicken all work well
- 1/4 cup crumbled, cooked bacon I really like turkey bacon for this
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1/4 cup oatmeal
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup dill pickles, chopped You can substitute dill relish, if preferred
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp ground dry mustard
- ketchup, for topping
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl.
- Mix until combined. Do not over mix.
- Shape into a loaf form in the middle of your crock pot.
- Shape into a loaf form in the middle of your crock pot.
- Dot top with ketchup.
- Cover and cook on high for 1 hour.
- Reduce heat to low and cook an additional 6 hours or until internal temp reads 160 degrees.
Serve this lovely loaf of meat with some really good ketchup. Just so you know; this makes a mean meatloaf sandwich the next day…if there’s any left. Crock on!
I finally made this the other night for dinner and hubby, my daughters bestie and I LOVED it….so much so that there were no leftovers! The only thing I did different was no bacon ( I was out…WHAT??!) and added minced onion. Thanks so much for sharing! I can’t wait to try another recipe!
OUT OF BACON?!!?!?!? AHHHHHH!!!!
So you mention you freeze it after you cook it. How does it taste after being frozen?
Just fine. We eat a lot of freezer meals. 🙂 Just make sure you freeze it with two layers of protection to avoid freezer burn or “taste.”
Looks good, could you make a bunch of them and freeze them? Defrost and crock?
I always cook meatloaf and freeze it then.
i am now a downsized family of 2 and so trying to adjust. I am thinking of getting one of the crockpots like the one shown in the pictures above. How long have you had yours? Is it worth the price? Would you purchase again? I have a crock pot with original lid that does not seem to seal like I think it should. It literally puddles. Is this normal? Should I replace it?
You should always have a good seal around the edges…and mine has a steam release hole in the lid. They no longer make the exact model like shown above, but they do make a black version . And yes, I would buy again because I did. 🙂 My white set broke after a TON of use and several years, so I bought the black set and truly love it.
I made this for dinner tonight. Since I had time for neither the crockpot nor a traditional loaf pan, I baked them in muffin tins, They are UHMAAAZZZZZING!
Cheeseburgers!!!!!!
LOL! But WAY better! These got thumbs up all ’round!
Thanks Stacy 🙂 You saved my sanity today! I have a deck painting going on with hubby outside, a tornado of a mess inside, and a mountain of laundry. Phew. Now dinner is simple! I’ll have to skip the bacon though 🙁 I’m all out and not running to the store 🙂
NO BACON?!?!!? ACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It should still be good – but bacon would make it stellar. You should always have bacon. I think that’s in the constitution.
It’s the 11th commandment…LOL
How many servings?
I’m thinking I’ll double it for 7 people. Would I have to cook it any longer?
Thanks Stacy. 🙂
This feeds about 4-5 people. 🙂
I did double it & was running late so I cooked it on high 2&1/2 hrs & low 2hrs.
I also modified it to what I had on hand:
-ground turkey (good, but I look forward to red neat)
-Tastefully Simple Seasoning
-no ketchup inside, only as a personal garnish
-topped w/cheese
-onions encircling the loaf (all for me!) 🙂
-greased crock w/coconut oil so lean meat & cheese wouldn’t stick badly. (it worked)
Thank you Stacy! My husband says it’s a keeper & don’t change anything… Um, I guess I’ll save my big experimenting for when he is out of town on business. 😉
My husband says the same things: why mess with a good recipe? I’ll tell you – to make it better. LOL
I like red meat better too. Shhhhh! 🙂
There’s an excellent ketchup recipe in the Condiment chapter in the book. 🙂
For THM, do you use a sugar free ketchup? If so, where do you find it? This looks gorgeous! 🙂
I made this yesterday… best meatloaf I have ever made… Thanks so much!!
Hooray! It’s my favorite too. 🙂
What a great Meat Loaf from the Crock Pot. This will be so good, not having to heat up the oven. I will be trying this very soon. Hope you have a great week and thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
Thanks for stopping buy! Meatloaf is one of our family favorites. 🙂
I made this without the cheese and it was a huge hit! Possibly the best meatloaf I’ve made. Thanks Stacy!!!
I know!!! I wish I could eat it every day. LOL I’m so glad you enjoyed it….that makes me smile. 🙂
I like everything but the pickles lol
You can leave them out. 🙂
yum! I never cook meatloaf, but I thinks its because I don’t have a yummy recipe like this. We LOVE burgers so I will be trying this.
I hope you enjoy it! We love it. 🙂