When you think of meatloaf, “dry” and “boring” might come to mind—but not this one! This Crock Pot Cheesy BBQ Meatloaf is everything you love about comfort food: juicy ground beef, melty cheddar, a secret crunchy ingredient (hi, Cheez-Its!), and a generous layer of sticky-sweet BBQ sauce. And the best part? The slow cooker does all the work.
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Are you surprised that meatloaf can be cooked in the crock pot? I was, too! I’ve tried it a couple of times and I think I’ve cracked the code. This might be my new favorite way to prepare meatloaf!
It’s super simple to put together and the crock pot keeps the meatloaf tender and juicy- not dry and tough.
Why You’ll Love It
- No oven required! Perfect for summer or when your oven is full.
- Cheesy and flavorful thanks to cheddar and the unusual secret ingredient- crushed Cheez-Its.
- Hands-off cooking—set it and forget it until dinner time. That’s my favorite type of recipe!
- Kid-friendly and customizable (try adding diced vegetables, using a different sauce for the topping or a dash of hot sauce for spice!).
This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, cozy weekends, or whenever you’re craving something hearty and fuss-free. Let’s get into it!
What You’ll Need
Find the full, printable recipe with exact measurements at the bottom of this post. Read on for more details and tips!
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- 6-8 Quart Crock Pot
- Parchment Paper– this helps to left the meatloaf out of the crock pot easily and with clean up
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 1 cup Cheez-Its, crushed (yes, really!)
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 tablespoons milk– the milk helps to keep the meatloaf tender
- 2 eggs– to hold it together
- ½ red onion, finely diced or grated. I like to grate the onion in because I have picky eaters who scoff at catching a glimpse of an onion. The onion melts into the beef but leaves the flavor behind.
- Seasonings– salt, black pepper, seasoned salt, mustard powder, garlic powder
- 1⅓ cups BBQ sauce, divided
How To Make It
Prep the crock pot: Line the crock pot with foil or parchment paper, leaving enough to hang over the edges. This makes lifting out the meatloaf super easy (and cleanup a breeze!). Do not skip this step or the meatloaf will be very difficult to remove from the slow cooker!
Mix it together: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, crushed Cheez-Its, cheddar cheese, milk, eggs, red onion, and all the seasonings. Add ⅓ cup of the BBQ sauce, and save the remaining 1 cup for later. Mix gently—just until everything is combined. Overmixing = tough meatloaf, and we want it juicy!
Shape & cook: Transfer the mixture into your lined crock pot and form it into a wide, even loaf, leaving a little space (1–2 inches) around the edges for airflow. Cover and cook on low for 5½ to 6 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
Top it: Once cooked through, uncover and pour the remaining BBQ sauce over the top. Switch the slow cooker to high and let it cook 20 more minutes, uncovered, to let the sauce get sticky and delicious.
Rest & serve: Use the foil or parchment to lift the meatloaf out onto a platter. Let it rest for 15 minutes before slicing—this helps the juices settle so every bite is tender and flavorful.
Did you enjoy this recipe? Take a picture and tag me @StephGigliotti on social media and #StephRealLife. I would absolutely love to see your finished dish!
⭐ Please leave a 5-star rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comment section.
Tips For The Best Meatloaf
Slow cooking meatloaf is a total game-changer—no oven, no guesswork, and super juicy results! Here are a few tips to make sure it turns out perfect every time:
- Line Your Crock Pot– I really can’t stress this enough- Use foil or parchment paper to line the bottom and sides of your slow cooker. This makes cleanup easier and lets you lift the meatloaf out without it falling apart.
- Don’t Overmix-When combining your ingredients, mix just until everything is combined. Overmixing can make the meatloaf dense or tough.
- Shape You Loaf Evenly-Form your meat mixture into a wide, even loaf and leave space around the edges (about 1–2 inches) so the heat can circulate properly.
- Check the Temp-For food safety and the best texture, cook the meatloaf until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C). This ensures it’s fully cooked without drying out.
- Let it Rest-After cooking, let the meatloaf rest for about 15 minutes before slicing. This helps it hold together and keeps all those tasty juices locked in.
- Make it Your Own-Try swapping Cheez-Its for crushed Ritz crackers, breadcrumbs, or even Goldfish for a fun twist. Use chili sauce, smoky or honey BBQ sauce, or a mixture of brown sugar, ketchup and mustard to top your meatloaf.
Serving Suggestions
- Creamy Mashed Potatoes, Roasted Red Potatoes, or Baked Potatoes
- Roasted Vegetables like Roasted Asparagus or Balsamic Glazed Carrots
- Easy corn on the cob or a simple side salad
- Mac and cheese (go all-in on the comfort food!)
This Crock Pot Cheesy BBQ Meatloaf is comfort food done right—easy, cheesy, and saucy in all the best ways. Whether you’re feeding your family or making leftovers for the week, it’s a hearty slow cooker recipe that everyone will ask for again and again.
Save this one—you’re gonna want it on repeat!
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Crock Pot BBQ Meatloaf
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 1 cup Cheez-Its crushed
- 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
- 2 tbsp milk
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 red onion diced small or grated
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp season salt
- 1 tsp mustard powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 1/3 cup BBQ sauce divided
Instructions
- Line the crock pot with foil or parchment paper, leaving enough to hang over the edges. This makes lifting out the meatloaf super easy (and cleanup a breeze!). Do not skip this step or the meatloaf will be very difficult to remove from the slow cooker!
- Mix it together: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, crushed Cheez-Its, cheddar cheese, milk, eggs, red onion, and all the seasonings. Add ⅓ cup of the BBQ sauce, and save the remaining 1 cup for later. Mix gently—just until everything is combined. Overmixing = tough meatloaf, and we want it juicy!
- Transfer the mixture into your lined crock pot and form it into a wide, even loaf, leaving a little space (1–2 inches) around the edges for airflow. Cover and cook on low for 5½ to 6 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
- Once cooked through, uncover and pour the remaining BBQ sauce over the top. Switch the slow cooker to high and let it cook 20 more minutes, uncovered, to let the sauce get sticky and delicious.
- Rest & serve: Use the foil or parchment to lift the meatloaf out onto a platter. Let it rest for 15 minutes before slicing—this helps the juices settle so every bite is tender and flavorful.
This was so easy and delicious
That’s amazing!