Slow Cooker Italian Meatloaf tastes exactly like a giant meatball served on spaghetti. This easy weeknight recipe combines ground beef, parmesan, seasonings, and bread crumbs, all smothered in marinara sauce, and cooked in the crock pot.
Italian Meatloaf is one of the many recipes passed to me from my mom in her unconventional manner – photocopied from an overdue library book.
During my mom’s 30 years working at the public library, our kitchen counter continually housed stacks of checked out cookbooks.
If a library cookbook recipe was a home run, I would be provided with a xeroxed page. Her neat, cursive writing would adorn “good!” on my copy, underlined a couple times for emphasis.
That’s Linda-speak for, “It is your duty to make this recipe, and do not miss this opportunity I’m handing you.”
Since librarians are exempt from overdue fees, mom took full advantage. Library books would sit for months on our counter, until she cooked through them all.
Thanks to Mom’s racketeering, now I can provide all of you with one of the best Italian Meatloaf recipes out there.
(Full disclosure since the statute of limitations has been exceeded, my mom is still harboring unreturned items. 🤫)
I’ll be honest, when I first laid eyes on this Italian Meatloaf recipe I wasn’t moved by it. It seemed like a pretty uninspiring list of ingredients.
But after making it the first time (and about 100 times to follow) I understand why it got the “good!” stamp of approval from my mom.
The slow cooker makes the meat super moist and tender, plus using a smaller amount of bread crumbs makes it less dense and overly bonded. If you don’t use a homemade marinara, make sure to use a high quality, great tasting jarred one.
I wish I could give credit where credit is due for this great recipe, but I have no idea where it came from. Let’s just leave it at Adapted from Some-Random-Library-Cookbook-My-Mom-Had-On-Her-Counter-10-Years-Ago.
Making Gluten Free Breadcrumbs – Easy and Cheap!
Don’t spend extra money on pricey gluten free breadcrumbs. I always have a supply in my freezer for recipes such as meatloaf, breading for chicken, or gratins.
Use leftover bread heels, stale bread, or even homemade gluten free bread failures in a freezer bag. When you are ready to make a batch, follow this easy gluten free bread crumbs recipe and you will have a supply in minutes, to use for recipes like this or gluten-free meatloaf.
My freezer always has a bag of gluten free bread heels and homemade gluten free bread crumbs. I hate to waste to waste anything from that expensive gluten free bread!
How to Make Italian Meatloaf
- In a large bowl combine eggs, garlic, parmesan, breadcrumbs, parsley, salt, and pepper.
- Add ground beef and mix well.
- Make a sling out of aluminum foil and place in slow cooker. Shape meatloaf and place on top of foil.
- Pour marinara sauce over the top and cook on HIGH for 3 hours.
- Serve with mashed potatoes, pasta, rice, or find many more sides dishes to go with meatloaf right here!
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Italian Meatloaf
Ingredients
- 3 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan
- 1/2 cup bread crumbs, regular or gluten free*
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 2 cups homemade or good quality jarred marinara sauce (can use additional for serving)
- spaghetti, regular or gluten free, for serving
Instructions
- Fold a 2-foot length of aluminum foil in half lengthwise. Place the foil in the slow cooker in the lengthwise direction, pressing along bottom and sides. Roll over the excess foil to make "handles" for lifting when the meatloaf is done. (See picture in "How to Make Italian Meatloaf")
- In a large bowl place eggs, garlic, Parmesan, bread crumbs, parsley, salt, and pepper. Whisk to combine. Add ground chuck and mix throughly with spoon or hands until mixture is evenly incorporated.
- Shape it into a loaf and carefully place in the slow cooker on top of foil. Pour 2 cups of marinara over the top.
- Cover and cook on HIGH for 3 hours or until thermometer reads 165-170ºF.
- Carefully lift meatloaf out of slow cooker with handles and place on platter to serve with extra marinara. Cut into slices and serve with pasta, if desired.
❉DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?? DON'T FORGET TO LEAVE FEEDBACK AND/OR CLICK A STAR RATING ON THE RECIPE CARD!❉
Recipe Notes
Making Gluten Free Breadcrumbs - Easy and Cheap!
Use leftover bread heels, stale bread, or even homemade gluten free bread failures in a freezer bag. When you are ready to make a batch, follow this easy gluten free bread crumbs recipe and you will have a supply in minutes! My freezer always has a bag of gluten free bread heels and homemade gluten free bread crumbs. I hate to waste to waste anything from that expensive gluten free bread!Nutrition
❊SHOP THE RECIPE❊
Items used to make this recipe:
Slow Cooker Cheese Grater Santoku Knife
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Susan says
This recipe looks delicious but as my husband and I take meds for high blood pressure I do not think I will make it…….has anyone altered the ingredients and made it healthier ?
Melissa says
Hi Susan,
Doing some calculations on the nutrition card, it looks like cutting the salt to 1/2 teaspoon and reducing cheese amount in half would bring down the sodium by more than half. Also, make sure to use a low sodium marinara and lean ground beef. Hope this helps!
Best,
Melissa
Anonymous says
This is another of our family favorites from MamaGourmand. So quick and easy. Can be served for leftovers.
Melissa says
Thanks! Glad you and your family enjoy it 🤗
Sarah says
Love this recipe! So easy to make, great for the work week, and it has become a regular request from my family.
Melissa says
I agree. The first time I made it I couldn’t believe how good it was, considering how simple the ingredients are. We have this a lot too.
Lisa says
I’ve made this one too. It was so fast, good, and easy to make. It reheats well too!!
Melissa says
I’m so glad you liked it! We usually don’t have many leftovers to reheat at our house, but I’ve found if you slice it first and reheat at 50% power is the best way to rewarm it. Thanks for writing!
cellobandhan.com says
This is an easy recipe that can be prepared in a slow cooker for a great hot meal at the end of the day.
Missy says
Is the foil just for ease of removing the whole loaf at one time? Or is there another reason? Thank you!
Melissa says
Hi Missy, Yes, the foil is just for taking the loaf out so it doesn’t break apart. Your welcome!
Melissa says
That’s great! My kids absolutely love this dish.
americanlamboard.com says
I m making this right now as I needed something quick and easy when I was meal planning this afternoon. It smells so good! My kids think the giant meatball is hilarious Andre are excited to try it!