CHEESY CROCK POT MEATLOAF WITH VEGGIES

Cheesy Crock Pot Meatloaf with Veggies image

There are times I'd rather be in my craft room or out in the garden rather than in the kitchen. Meatloaf in the crock pot equals free time to do other things. Meatloaf is one of my favorite meals. There are so many variations to making meatloaf and I don't think I ever make it the same way twice. Today I wrote this variation...

Provided by Diane Atherton

Time 4h10m

Number Of Ingredients 25

Ingredients

MEATLOAF
2 lb ground beef (other meats can be substituted, ground pork, ground turkey, ground chicken, bulk sausage or a mixture of meats)
1 c bread crumbs, i used panko
1/2 c onion, chopped
1/2 c green bell pepper, chopped
3 clove garlic, minced
1/4 c ketsup
1 tsp mustard
2 large eggs
1/2 Tbsp fennel seed
1 tsp basil, dried
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
VEGGIES
4 to 6 medium potatoes, quartered
3 or 4 large carrots, cubed
2 Tbsp olive oil, extra virgin
seasoning of choice (i used salt and pepper, you could use any desired seasonings) a little rosemary would be good
TOPPING
1/2 c tomato sauce
oregano, dried to taste
garlic powder, to taste
onion powder, to taste
salt and pepper to taste
mozzarella cheese, shredded (optional)

Steps:

1. TIPS: If you grind meat yourself, add the fennel seed and grind with the meat. Spray crock with PAM for easier clean up.
2. In a large bowl; add ingredients for meatloaf. With hands combine the mixture.
3. Form meat mixture into a loaf and place in the center of Crock Pot. Place potatoes and carrots around meatloaf. Drizzle oil on veggies and season before adding to the pot. Place the vegetables around the meatloaf. NOTE: would have been easier if I had seasoned the vegetables and drizzled oil before I putting them in the crock pot.
4. Combine ingredients for topping except for the mozzerella; set aside.
5. Cook on high for 4 hours. The last hour of cooking, remove lid and add the tomato sauce topping mixture to the top of the meatloaf; cover with lid. Once done, turn crock pot off, remove lid and add mozzerella to top of meatloaf, cover with lid and let set for about 15 minutes before serving. NOTE: The meatloaf will brown but not like it would if you baked it in an oven.
6. NOTES: Meatloaf is a dish of ground meat formed into a loaf shape, mixed with egg and breadcrumbs, then baked or in this case cooked in the crock pot. The loaf shape is formed by either cooking it in a loaf pan, or forming it by hand. Meatloaf is usually made from ground beef, although lamb, pork, veal, venison, bulk sausage and poultry or a combination of meats are also used. Variations are unlimited! Different taste for different folks. Choose seasoning that you like. You could add diced potatoes to the meat mixture and cubes of cheddar and/or mushrooms. You can even have a stuffed meatloaf, 2 layers of meat with a cheesy mushroom and onion filling. If you don't like a tomato sauce topping, leave off but I wouldn't leave off the cheese ;) Other toppings; BBQ sauce, Ketchup, or no topping at all. It really depends on the seasonings you choose. OK pull out that crock pot and get to crocking! HAPPY COOKING!