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This mini slow cooker meatloaf is a classic version of a longtime favorite. Made with ground beef, simple ingredients, and a flavorful glaze, it’s tender, moist, and cooked to perfection in the slow cooker.
Featured Comment
“Made this last night for my husband and me…He is a big meatloaf lover. It was delicious and best of all no leftovers!”
– Connie
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy Ingredients: Made with simple, everyday items.
- Quick Prep: Minimal prep and hands-off cooking.
- Adaptable: Use ground turkey, beef, or chicken.
- Perfectly Portioned: The perfect meatloaf for two.
I love this recipe because it brings all the comfort of classic meatloaf – moist, tender, and full of flavor – without the extras you don’t need. It’s a nod to tradition, made for one or two, with simple ingredients and slow-cooked to perfection. It reminds me that good food doesn’t have to be complicated to be deeply satisfying.
Looking for more single serving meatloaf recipes? Try our small oven baked meatloaf, bacon cheeseburger meatloaf for one, and small turkey meatloaf.
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this small Crockpot meatloaf recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Butter: Use 1 tablespoon to cook the onions and garlic.
- Onions and Garlic: These are key for adding flavor.
- Seasonings: Dried thyme, salt, and black pepper season the meatloaf.
- Ground Beef: Use ½ pound of ground beef. You can substitute with ground turkey, chicken, or a plant-based option. Extra beef? Use it in beef tacos for one or single serving lasagna soup.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Adds bold, savory flavor.
- Egg: One large egg binds the ingredients and adds richness.
- Breadcrumbs: Use store-bought or homemade breadcrumbs.
- Ketchup and Molasses: Combined for a flavorful topping. Homemade bbq sauce is a great substitute if preferred.
How To Make Meatloaf In A Crockpot
See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
Line the bottom of a small slow cooker with two long strips of foil arranged in a cross to help lift the meatloaf out later. Make sure the strips don’t extend past the rim, then spray the foil and slow cooker insert with nonstick spray.
In a small skillet, cook chopped onions and garlic in butter until the onions are soft. Season with dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and add ground beef, Worcestershire sauce, an egg, and breadcrumbs. Mix well, shape into a loaf, and place it on top of the foil strips in the slow cooker.
Cover and cook on low for 6 hours. About 30 minutes before it’s done, stir together ketchup and molasses, spoon over the meatloaf, and cook for the remaining time.
What if I don’t have a small slow cooker?
If you don’t have a small slow cooker, place an oven-safe bowl inside your large one to create a smaller cooking space.
See our step-by-step guide: How To Cook Small Meals In A Large Slow Cooker.
Expert Tips
- Foil Lining: Use foil strips in the slow cooker to easily lift out the meatloaf and keep it from sitting in excess grease.
- Sauté Onions and Garlic: Cooking the onions and garlic in butter before adding them to the meat mixture adds flavor and helps keep the meatloaf moist.
- Oven Option: No slow cooker? Bake the meatloaf at 350°F (177°C) for 50 minutes.
- Let It Rest: After cooking, cover and let the meatloaf rest for 5 minutes before slicing to keep it juicy.
Serving Suggestions
This slow cooker meatloaf pairs well with classic sides. Try serving it with mashed potatoes for one, a single serving of buttered noodles, sautéed green beans, mac and cheese for one, or a fresh tomato salad for a complete and comforting meal.
RELATED – 40 Easy Recipes For Busy College Students
Frequently Asked Questions
A 1.5 to 3-quart slow cooker slow cooker works best for this recipe.
Yes, you can shape the loaf and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before cooking.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven until warmed through.
More Single Serving Slow Cooker Recipes
If you like this small slow cooker meatloaf recipe, you might also like to try these mini slow cooker recipes:
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
If you’ve tried this Crockpot Meatloaf recipe or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
Also, if you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see it!
Mini Slow Cooker Meatloaf
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon salted butter
- ¼ cup chopped onions (about 2-ounces or ¼ of a large onion)
- 1 clove garlic -chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
- ½ pound ground beef
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 large egg
- 3 tablespoons breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon molasses
Instructions
- Cook the Aromatics: In a skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add chopped onions and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper; cook for 2 more minutes. Remove from heat.
- Make the Meatloaf Mixture: In a bowl, combine the ground beef, onion mixture, Worcestershire sauce, egg, and breadcrumbs. Mix well and shape into an oval.
- Prepare the Slow Cooker: Cut a 12-inch piece of foil in half lengthwise and fold each piece again to make two long strips. Lay them in a cross shape in the bottom of the slow cooker. Trim the ends so they don’t stick out. Spray the foil and slow cooker insert with nonstick spray.
- Cook the Meatloaf: Place the meatloaf on the foil. Cover and cook on low for 5½ hours.
- Add the Glaze: Stir together ketchup and molasses. Spoon over the meatloaf and cook, covered, for another 30 minutes.
- Rest and Serve: Use the foil strips to lift the meatloaf out. Cover with foil and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
Notes
- Foil Lining: Use foil strips in the slow cooker to easily lift out the meatloaf and keep it from sitting in excess grease.
- Sauté Onions and Garlic: Cooking the onions and garlic in butter before adding them to the meat mixture adds flavor and helps keep the meatloaf moist.
- Oven Option: No slow cooker? Bake the meatloaf at 350°F (177°C) for 50 minutes.
- Let It Rest: After cooking, cover and let the meatloaf rest for 5 minutes before slicing to keep it juicy.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Can’t wait to try this. Love your recipes!!!
Thank you!
I made this with olive oil instead of butter and almond flour instead of breadcrumbs. It was much too dry – I’m guessing maybe I should try it next time with only 2 T almond flour?
I’ve found the meatloaf stays moist and flavorful when made as the recipe is written. The butter and breadcrumbs work together to bind the ingredients and add tenderness. Almond flour doesn’t absorb moisture the way breadcrumbs do, so it can make the meatloaf dry or dense. I personally wouldn’t recommend using any kind of flour in meatloaf for that reason. If you get a chance, I’d suggest trying the recipe as written, you might be surprised by the difference!
Hi Joanie, can panko be used in place of the breadcrumbs?
Yes, you can use panko breadcrumbs instead of regular.
Well done. Concise and complete. Using the slow cooker is perfect for a two-person household with one eating something else. Less fuss, less muss.
quick question is it possible to bake a potato with the meat loaf. my mom always made baked potatoes with meat loaf I was thinking of using my larger slow cooker
I haven’t tried baking a potato with the meatloaf, but using a larger slow cooker sounds like a good idea. If you decide to give it a go, I’d love to hear how it works out!
Hi, could I use parchment paper instead of foil?
Yes, parchment paper is a good substitute.
Hi Joanie, Just wanted to thank you for your delicious recipes. Today, I made your slow cooker meatloaf. The meatloaf was amazing. It was very moist and delicious. In the past I have made your chicken cordon bleu, chicken/dumplings, and meat sauce (I’m Italian and the meat sauce recipe is excellent). All the recipes are five stars 🌟 Thank you again for taking the time to develop such wonderful recipes,
Thank you so much, Nancy. I’m so happy you are enjoying our recipes.
Made this last night for my husband and me…He is a big meatloaf lover. It was delicious and best of all no leftovers!
I forgot to sauté the onions first….but it still came out DELICIOUS 😋. I will make it this way often in my small crock pot. Next I will remember to sauté the onions 🤣. Thank You!
I made this recipe tonight and thought it was really good. I did make one change thou. Instead of the ketchup and molasses, I replaced them with store bought chili sauce. This gave it a little kick I thought it needed.