America's Test Kitchen LogoCook's Country LogoCook's Illustrated LogoAmerica's Test Kitchen LogoCook's Country LogoCook's Illustrated Logo

Slow-Cooker Italian Meatloaf

By Joe Gitter

Published on October 16, 2019

Yield

Serves 6 to 8

Slow-Cooker Italian Meatloaf

Ingredients

1 onion, chopped fine8 garlic cloves, minced1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 2 slices hearty white sandwich bread, torn into 1-inch pieces½ cup whole milk 2 ounces Parmesan cheese, grated (1 cup)½ cup chopped fresh parsley 2 large eggs 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes Salt and pepper 2 pounds meatloaf mix 1 cup jarred pasta sauce

Before You Begin

If you cannot find meatloaf mix, substitute 1 pound 85 percent lean ground beef and 1 pound ground pork. You will need an oval slow cooker for these recipes. Check the meatloaf's temperature after 2 hours of cooking and continue to monitor it until it registers 155 degrees. Be sure to pack the meat mixture well while shaping, so it doesn't break apart while cooking.

Instructions

  1. Microwave onion, garlic, and oil in bowl, stirring occasionally, until onion is softened, about 5 minutes. Mash bread and milk into paste in large bowl using fork. Stir in onion mixture, ¾ cup Parmesan, parsley, eggs, pepper flakes, 1½ teaspoons salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper. Add meatloaf mix; knead with hands until well combined.
  2. Fold sheet of aluminum foil into 12 by 9-inch sling; lightly coat with vegetable oil spray. Shape meat mixture into firm 9 by 5-inch loaf across center of foil sling using wet hands. Using sling, transfer meatloaf to slow cooker.
  3. Brush meatloaf with ½ cup pasta sauce. Cover; cook until meatloaf registers 155 degrees, 2 to 3 hours on low.
  4. Adjust oven rack 6 inches from broiler element and heat broiler. Using sling, transfer meatloaf to rimmed baking sheet, allowing juices to drain back into slow cooker; remove any albumin. Press edges of foil flat. Brush meatloaf with remaining ½ cup pasta sauce. Broil until spotty brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Let cool for 15 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining ¼ cup Parmesan. Serve.
Slow-Cooker Italian Meatloaf

Slow-Cooker Italian Meatloaf

Save

Yield

Serves 6 to 8

Ingredients

1 onion, chopped fine
8 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
2 slices hearty white sandwich bread, torn into 1-inch pieces
½ cup whole milk
2 ounces Parmesan cheese, grated (1 cup)
½ cup chopped fresh parsley
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Salt and pepper
2 pounds meatloaf mix
1 cup jarred pasta sauce

Ingredients

1 onion, chopped fine
8 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
2 slices hearty white sandwich bread, torn into 1-inch pieces
½ cup whole milk
2 ounces Parmesan cheese, grated (1 cup)
½ cup chopped fresh parsley
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Salt and pepper
2 pounds meatloaf mix
1 cup jarred pasta sauce

Ingredients

1 onion, chopped fine
8 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
2 slices hearty white sandwich bread, torn into 1-inch pieces
½ cup whole milk
2 ounces Parmesan cheese, grated (1 cup)
½ cup chopped fresh parsley
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Salt and pepper
2 pounds meatloaf mix
1 cup jarred pasta sauce

Why This Recipe Works

Our first tries at making meatloaf in the slow cooker turned out unattractive loaves, and although we liked the idea of pressing the loaf directly into the cooker, scooping out meatloaf at serving time was just not appealing. To alleviate some of the greasiness we tried using leaner beef, but this really dried out our meatloaf. By switching to rich, flavorful meatloaf mix we got something moist and delicious, albeit greasy. Then we hit upon using a foil sling to allow us to remove the loaf easily and leave the unwanted fat behind. What's more, we were now able to place our meatloaves under the broiler to ensure a bubbly, caramelized top.

Before You Begin

If you cannot find meatloaf mix, substitute 1 pound 85 percent lean ground beef and 1 pound ground pork. You will need an oval slow cooker for these recipes. Check the meatloaf's temperature after 2 hours of cooking and continue to monitor it until it registers 155 degrees. Be sure to pack the meat mixture well while shaping, so it doesn't break apart while cooking.

Instructions

  1. Microwave onion, garlic, and oil in bowl, stirring occasionally, until onion is softened, about 5 minutes. Mash bread and milk into paste in large bowl using fork. Stir in onion mixture, ¾ cup Parmesan, parsley, eggs, pepper flakes, 1½ teaspoons salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper. Add meatloaf mix; knead with hands until well combined.
  2. Fold sheet of aluminum foil into 12 by 9-inch sling; lightly coat with vegetable oil spray. Shape meat mixture into firm 9 by 5-inch loaf across center of foil sling using wet hands. Using sling, transfer meatloaf to slow cooker.
  3. Brush meatloaf with ½ cup pasta sauce. Cover; cook until meatloaf registers 155 degrees, 2 to 3 hours on low.
  4. Adjust oven rack 6 inches from broiler element and heat broiler. Using sling, transfer meatloaf to rimmed baking sheet, allowing juices to drain back into slow cooker; remove any albumin. Press edges of foil flat. Brush meatloaf with remaining ½ cup pasta sauce. Broil until spotty brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Let cool for 15 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining ¼ cup Parmesan. Serve.

Gift This Recipe

Enjoyed this dish? Let others know by sharing it as a gift recipe.

This is a members' feature.