Slow Cooker Applesauce Meatloaf
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Applesauce Meatloaf is one of the BEST recipes we make in the slow cooker! Ground beef, croutons, eggs, milk, applesauce, onion and tomato soup mix together for a really easy, moist, and delicious homemade meatloaf!
Slow Cooker Meatloaf with Applesauce
Our farm family LOVES this Crock Pot Applesauce Meatloaf! My mom has made our Farmhouse Meatloaf for years. Applesauce meatloaf is a cross between our classic meatloaf recipe and our Applesauce Meatballs. When we want a tried and true moist meatloaf that everyone will love these are the recipes we use.
When we want to spice up our meatloaf spiced up with different flavors we make The Best Taco Meatloaf, Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf, Crock Pot Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf, or even Farmhouse Ham Loaf. They are all delicious variations when you are craving a particular flavor.
Meatloaf is the butt of so many food jokes I was scared to eat it as a kid. Thank goodness I found out that meatloaf doesn’t have to be dry.
My kids actually love these recipes because when there is enough moisture in the ground meat mixture meatloaf is much easier to chew than a roast or steak. If food is easier to chew then the meal doesn’t drag on for an hour. We love recipes that decrease the drama and dinnertime stress.
Dinner in the slow cooker is so easy. Our family also enjoys making Farmhouse Slow Cooker Pulled Pork, Chicken & Stuffing Casserole and Cowboy Baked Beans in the crock pot.
How to Make Crock Pot Applesauce Meatloaf
- Beat egg and milk until smooth with a mixer. Add croutons and stir to coat with the liquid. Allow to stand for 5 minutes.
- Beat until light and fluffy, ensuring no large pieces of croutons remain.
- Add ground beef, applesauce, onion, salt and pepper and mix well.
- Pour into a 5 quart or larger lined or greased crock.
- Use hands to shape into a rectangular meatloaf.
- Pour can of tomato soup on top of meatloaf. Add 1/4 can of water, dividing up on each side of meatloaf – do not pour directly on top and wash tomato soup off.
- Cook on low heat 5 to 7 hours. When a digital meat thermometer reads 160°F the meatloaf is done.
Tips for Making Applesauce Meatloaf
- Ensure ground meat is totally defrosted before mixing
- 1 pound ground beef can be substituted for 1 pound ground pork, but we REALLY like the flavor when 2 pounds of ground beef are used
- When beating croutons make sure that all of the pieces are soaked and broken up or there will be large crouton pieces in the meatloaf
- Can be converted to bake in an oven at 350º for about an hour in an 8 x 8″ baking dish
- Always use a digital meat thermometer to check for doneness
- Test doneness at a few different points in the meatloaf to ensure your crock pot doesn’t have hot spots
- Ground meat should be cooked to 160ºF
- I like slice meatloaf into individual portions and store in individual containers. This make reheating very easy!
- This meatloaf is so moist that it reheats well after being refrigerated or frozen
- When I know meat will be reheated I like to spoon extra tomato soup sauce over the piece of meat to prevent drying out
- Serve over noodles or mashed potatoes
- All cooking appliances and conditions are different, so you should test these times and guidelines first in your own appliance to determine what adjustments may be needed!
Easy Desserts to Make with Dinner
More Easy Crock Pot Recipes:
- Crock Pot Pork Chops with Gravy
- Farmhouse Slow Cooker Pot Roast
- Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Pasta Casserole
Printable Slow Cooker Meatloaf with Applesauce Recipe
Crock Pot Applesauce Meatloaf
Author: JenniferIngredients
- 2 eggs
- 2/3 cup milk
- 2 cups croutons
- 3/4 cup applesauce
- 2 pounds ground beef can use some ground pork if desired
- 1/4 cup onion chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 10 ounce can tomato soup
Instructions
- Using a mixer beat egg and milk until smooth. Add croutons and stir to coat with the liquid. Allow to stand for 5 minutes.
- Beat until light and fluffy.
- Add ground beef, applesauce, onion, salt and pepper and mix well.
- Pour into a 5 quart or larger greased crock. Shape into a rectangle meatloaf with your hands
- Pour can of tomato soup on top of meatloaf. Add 1/4 can of water, dividing up on each side of meatloaf – do not pour directly on top and wash tomato soup off.
- Cook on low heat 5 to 7 hours. When a digital meat thermometer reads 160°F the meatloaf is done.
Notes
- Ensure ground meat is totally defrosted before mixing
- 1 pound ground beef can be substituted for 1 pound ground pork, but we REALLY like the flavor when 2 pounds of ground beef are used
- When beating croutons make sure that all of the pieces are soaked and broken up or there will be large crouton pieces in the meatloaf
- Can be converted to bake in an oven at 350º for about an hour in an 8 x 8″ baking dish
- Always use a digital meat thermometer to check for doneness
- Test doneness at a few different points in the meatloaf to ensure your crock pot doesn’t have hot spots
- Ground meat should be cooked to 160ºF
- I like slice meatloaf into individual portions and store in individual containers. This make reheating very easy!
- This meatloaf is so moist that it reheats well after being refrigerated or frozen
- When I know meat will be reheated I like to spoon extra tomato soup sauce over the piece of meat to prevent drying out
- Serve over noodles or mashed potatoes
- All cooking appliances and conditions are different, so you should test these times and guidelines first in your own appliance to determine what adjustments may be needed!