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 by doing the following:

1. Instead of throwing gluten free bread heels away, save them in a freezer bag.
2. Once you have a stash saved, it’s time to make breadcrumbs. Throw the partially thawed heels in a food processor and process until finely ground.
3. Spread breadcrumbs on a baking sheet and bake at 425ºF for 15 minutes, stirring 1-2 times, until toasted and brown.
4. Allow breadcrumbs to cool completely and then store back in freezer bag.

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

1. In a large bowl combine eggs, garlic, parmesan, breadcrumbs, parsley, salt, and pepper.
2. Add ground beef and mix well.
3. Make a sling out of aluminum foil and place in slow cooker. Shape meatloaf and place on top of foil.
4. Pour marinara sauce over the top and cook on HIGH for 3 hours.

4.24 from 13 votes

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Italian Meatloaf

Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

3 hrs

Total Time

3 hrs 10 mins

 

Italian Meatloaf tastes exactly like a giant meatball served on a plate of spaghetti. This easy weeknight recipe combines ground beef, parmesan, seasonings, and bread crumbs, all smothered in marinara sauce, and cooked in the crock pot.

Course: Dinner, Gluten Free dinner, slow cooker gluten free

Cuisine: American, Italian

Keyword: crockpot, easy, italian, meatloaf, slow cooker

Servings: 8

Calories: 271 kcal

Author: Melissa Erdelac

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

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

1. 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")
   
2. 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.
   
3. Shape it into a loaf and carefully place in the slow cooker on top of foil. Pour 2 cups of marinara over the top.
   
4. Cover and cook on HIGH for 3 hours or until thermometer reads 165-170ºF.
   

5. 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.

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Recipe Notes

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 by doing the following:

1. Instead of throwing gluten free bread heels away, save them in a freezer bag.
2. Once you have a stash saved, it's time to make breadcrumbs. Throw the partially thawed heels in a food processor and process until finely ground.
3. Spread breadcrumbs on a baking sheet and bake at 425ºF for 15 minutes, stirring 1-2 times, until toasted and brown.
4. Allow breadcrumbs to cool completely and then store back in freezer bag.

Nutrition Facts

Italian Meatloaf

Amount Per Serving

Calories 271 Calories from Fat 90

% Daily Value*

Fat 10g15%

Saturated Fat 5g31%

Cholesterol 140mg47%

Sodium 1106mg48%

Potassium 652mg19%

Carbohydrates 9g3%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 3g3%

Protein 32g64%

Vitamin A 610IU12%

Vitamin C 7mg8%

Calcium 192mg19%

Iron 4.2mg23%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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