Crock Pot Cheeseburger Meatloaf

You might recall that I already have a recipe on this site for Crock Pot Meatloaf, but it calls for potatoes and carrots……this one is like one big cheeseburger patty. It’s just heaven on a plate. I first came across a recipe for Cheeseburger Meatloaf somewhere on the internet and I changed it to suit our tastes……and then I knew I could re-create it to be fixed in the crock pot. It is literally the best meatloaf I’ve ever had. In fact, when I made it the first time, Barry was out of town. I got up from the table and got my phone to text him. I said “I just made the best meatloaf of my entire life.” And then we ate it all without him. Sad how things work out that way for him. Oh well. I was happy and so was Annie.

As always, I used venison for this. You’ll also need bacon – I used turkey bacon (cook it and cut it up into little pieces in advance). Rounding out the list is cheese, eggs, oatmeal, mayonnaise, ketchup, chopped pickles (or dill relish), salt, onion powder, pepper, dry mustard, and additional ketchup for the top. Because we all know a cheeseburger HAS to have ketchup on top.

Again, I grab my trusty meatloaf bowl. What does it say about me to know that I have a bowl dedicated solely to meatloaf? Put everything in there except the ketchup I mentioned for the top.

Clip your fingernails before you start this…..or else you’ll be cleaning meat out for a while. I like mixing meatloaf up with my hands because I can tell it’s really all mixed together. Here’s a tip for you if you hate that (I don’t, but I know I’m weird) – use your stand mixer. My mom successfully mixes meatloaf in her mixer….the key is to only mix it until it’s combined. Or else you might cook a meatloaf rock. Then you’d be ridiculed by your family until you die.

Shape your meat mixture into a loaf in the middle of the crock pot. I imagine you can just pat it out flat, but then it wouldn’t be a “loaf” would it? I like sticking with the loaf shape. I’m a stickler.

Put some ketchup on the top. You can spread it if you so desire…..but I like to make weird designs with my ketchup. Don’t tell me you haven’t done it too. I call this “Ketchup Rain.”

Turn your crock to HIGH and let it cook that way for one hour. Set a timer…..or else you will forget. Or so I hear from OTHER PEOPLE. *Cough*

After one hour, turn the crock down to low and let it cook for another six hours. If you were going to work, you could start the high cycle and then get ready. When you were leaving, you could switch it to low…….but then again, will you be back home in six hours? Hmmmmmmmmm. Maybe make this on Saturday instead.

Mine was done after 6 hours. I guess it depends on how thick your loaf is. Make sure it reads 160 degrees with your food thermometer. One day I might get high tech and get a digital thermometer. But don’t hold your breath.

Serve this lovely loaf of meat with some really good ketchup. Currently, this brand is gracing our table……and it rocks my face off! Good organic ketchup? Yes, it’s true. It’s a Friday miracle.Just so you know; this makes a mean meatloaf sandwich the next day……if there’s any left.Crock on!

*This post is linked at Real Food 101 at Ruth’s Real Food, at Melt In Your Mouth Monday on Make Ahead Meals For Busy Moms, at Turning The Table Thursday on Around My Family Table, at Friday Food on Mom Trends and at Full Plate Thursday on Miz Helen’s Country Cottage.