In this recipe for Slow Cooker Chicken Parmigiana Meatloaf, you actually cook the meatloaf in a loaf pan INSIDE the slow cooker!
I really love the idea behind this recipe – cooking a meatloaf (in a loaf pan) INSIDE the slow cooker. How fun is that?
The recipe comes from my current favorite cookbook: 365 Slow Cooker Suppers by Stephanie O’Dea. It’s totally hard to serve a decent dinner to your family when you’re not home to prepare it. And it gets tiring (and unhealthy) to pick up fast food all the time. Your slow cooker is youre best friend on busy days. I’ve tried a ton of slow cooker recipes in the past that are just duds. This cookbook is much different. I’ve tried three recipes in the book, and they have all been big successes. This recipe was one of them.
Check it out: You just mix the meatloaf ingredients together in a bowl, then stuff it in your loaf pan, then place your loaf pan in the slow cooker and press START! That’s it!
7 or 8 hours later, the meatloaf is done. It’s one of the most tender, juicy, flavorful meatloaf recipes I’ve ever tasted. I use ground turkey instead of chicken, and it is completely wonderful (and low fat)!
I enjoy the meatloaf straight out of the pan, unadorned and all by itself… served with a side salad. My husband likes a little more sauce drizzled on top (just a little marinara- easy). I recommend the recipe to try out on your family for dinner. It really is quite delicious. And I recommend that you purchase the cookbook too- lots of great, easy recipes that I can’t wait to try.
If you happen to be following the Weight Watchers WW plan, you’ll find a link to the WW Points on the recipe card below.
Here are a few more meatloaf recipes you might enjoy:
- Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf
- Swedish Meatloaf
- Roasted Vegetable Meatloaf
- Turkey Meatloaf
- Cranberry Meatloaf
Slow Cooker Chicken Parmigiana Meatloaf
Recipe Details
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chicken or turkey (93% lean)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 small onion, diced
- ½ cup Italian breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup marinara sauce (I use Classico Tomato- Basil), divided
- 1½ cups finely shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine the chicken (or turkey), eggs, onion, breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, ½ cup marinara and ½ cup cheese (it's easiest to just use your hands to do this).
- Spray an 8x5 inch loaf pan with nonstick spray (metal or glass- see notes below). Scoop the meatloaf mixture into the pan and smooth the top. Spread the remaining ½ cup of marinara sauce over the top. Sprinkle remaining 1 cup of cheese on top.
- Put the pan in a 6 quart slow cooker and place the lid on top. Cook for 7 to 8 hours on low (or 4 hours on high). Slice, and serve.
Notes
- Note: I used a glass pan and cooked mine on LOW. If you're opting for cooking it on HIGH, you might consider using a metal pan instead. I'm not certain the glass would work well with such a high temperature.
- If you are preparing this recipe as GLUTEN-FREE, be sure to use a sub for the regular breadcrumbs (like GF breadcrumbs), and be sure to use a brand of marinara sauce that is known to be GF (Classico Tomato Basil is GF).
- Option: Place some small potatoes around the sides of the pan so that they can be slow cooked along with the meatloaf.
My husband would seriously LOVE this!
I am seriously adding this one to my dinner rotation. YUM! I love how it is cooked in the slow cooker!!!
Just made your recipe for dinner and it went over really big! My only alteration came from a recipe for turkey burgers that I use: I added one shredded zucchini to the mix (which allowed me to cut back on one egg). It keeps ground turkey or chicken amazingly juicy. This was delicious … Thanks!
Can’t wait to try this, and I love your idea of snuggling in a few small potatoes in the slow cooker too! Brilliant idea!
I assembled last night and put in my slow cooker late morning BUT I didn’t check the size of my pot and and the Meatloaf pan doesn’t fit on the bottom of the pot!! It’s hanging from the rim on top? Should I decrease the cook time for more heat? Can I cook in the oven if it isn’t done in 7-8 hours? HELP!
Does the lid still fit on tight? If not, I’d say try cooking it in the oven instead. Just google another meatloaf recipe to see for timing and temp. Let me know how it goes!!
Our family love meatloaf and chicken parmigiana so this recipe sounds great!
Can u use any meatloaf recipe for this?????
Maybe! I haven’t tried…
What a great idea to use the slow-cooker to make a meatloaf for after a long day of driving the kids around!
What a fun idea to cook meatloaf in a slow cooker! Looks moist and delicious!
I haven’t had meatloaf in forever! This looks so good!
Can this recipe be made in a Ninja Cooking system? If so would I cook it on low for the same amount of time? I just got the Ninja and don’t know how to use it with other recipes. Thanks for your help
I’m not familiar with the Ninja cooking system, so I’m not sure!
One question…I don’t have an 8×5 pan, only 9×5, which is that larger loaf size. Do you think I could still use that pan size for this recipe?
It would work fine- as long as the pan fits inside your slow cooker. The 9×5 loaf pan did not fit in mine.
Sounds delicious! So you don’t need a water bath or anything, you just put the pan in the slow cooker? I never would’ve thought of that.
I love this and am going to try it soon. I never knew you could do this.I am going to try it with ground turkey too.
Quick question: no water at fhe bottom of the slowcooker pot? Isn’t there a risk that it might crack?
The author did not call for water in the pan, and I didn’t put any water. Turned out fine!
this looks great – like one big fat chicken meatball!
do you know if you could use a metal loaf pan? that’s what mine is.
Yes, I’m sure a metal pan would work just fine.
Can you use a metal pan instead of glass? Thanks! Looks delish!
yes!
So creative. This would be a huge hit with my family.
This recipe sounds wonderful! I am trying to gather more great slow cooker recipes.
During the hot summers here in AZ, I use the slow cooker in the garage so I don’t heat up the house.
I just pinned this – What a genius idea!
Oh I’m so glad you liked your dinner! Thank you for the kind words — this was such a joy to wake up to this morning!
We have a super busy afterschool and early-evening schedule, too. I still can’t believe that all they prepare you for when they hand over the baby is that the carseat is properly installed! 🙂
You’re very welcome! Thanks for a great recipe!
I love this idea, but doesn’t there need to be water or some type of liquid in the crockpot? Especially if you are adding potatoes or anything else.
Thanks
Nope- no liquid needed.
I absolutely love the idea of a slow cooker meatloaf, because the men in my house always welcome meatloaf at dinner!
This sounds so unique and delicious! Loving slow cooker recipes right now!
My household love love LOVES meatloaf…but I have never made it with turkey. What a genius idea to make it a little healthier. And, cheese? Yes. Love this recipe! Pinned!