Slow Cooker Mini Meatloaves with Tomato Sauce

Slow Cooker Mini Meatloaves with Tomato Sauce

These tender slow cooker mini meatloaves are a comforting, family-friendly dinner that practically cooks itself. With a savory tomato sauce and aromatic vegetables, they deliver classic meatloaf flavor in convenient individual portions that cook evenly and stay moist throughout the day.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds ground beef
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup onion, finely diced
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 can tomato sauce (15 ounces)
• 1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 ounces)
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, milk, onion, parsley, garlic, salt and pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
2. Form the mixture into 8 oval-shaped mini meatloaves.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, bell pepper, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce and Italian seasoning.
4. Pour half of the sauce into the bottom of your slow cooker.
5. Arrange the mini meatloaves on top of the sauce.
6. Pour the remaining sauce over the meatloaves, making sure they are covered.
7. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours, or on high for 3 to 4 hours.
8. Serve the meatloaves with the sauce spooned over top.

Practical Tips

Avoid overmixing: For extra tender meatloaves, handle the meat mixture gently and mix only until just combined. Overmixing can make them tough and dense.

Even cooking: Try to form all meatloaves roughly the same size so they cook uniformly throughout the slow cooker.

Sauce coverage: Ensure the meatloaves are fully submerged in sauce to keep them moist and prevent the tops from drying out during the long cooking process.

How to Store

Store leftover mini meatloaves in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can also freeze them with the sauce for up to 3 months. Reheat gently in a slow cooker on low or in the oven at 350°F until warmed through.

Questions and Answers

Can I make these meatloaves ahead of time? Yes, you can assemble the meatloaves and sauce the night before, then refrigerate in the slow cooker insert. Just place it in the slow cooker base in the morning and proceed with cooking.

What can I serve with these mini meatloaves? They pair well with mashed potatoes, rice, pasta, or crusty bread to soak up the delicious tomato sauce.

Can I use ground turkey or chicken instead? Absolutely. Ground turkey or chicken works well, though you may need to add a bit more milk to keep them moist since poultry is leaner than beef.