Description
This Slow Cooker Hobo Dinner is a comforting and easy-to-make meal featuring a flavorful meatloaf paired with perfectly tender potatoes and onions, all cooked together in one pot for minimal cleanup. The meatloaf is seasoned with classic spices and combined with crushed Saltine crackers, while the potatoes are enriched with butter and finished with melted sharp cheese for a creamy, savory touch. Topped with ketchup, this hearty dish makes a great family-friendly dinner with simple ingredients and convenient slow cooker preparation.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatloaf Ingredients:
- 1 lb. 10% fat ground beef
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup white onion, diced
- ¼ cup ketchup
- ¼ tsp. salt
- ¼ tsp. pepper
- ½ tsp. onion powder
- 15 Saltine crackers, crushed
Potatoes and Onions:
- 4 small russet potatoes, sliced
- ½ cup white onion, sliced
- ½ tsp. salt
- ¼ tsp. pepper
- ½ tsp. onion powder
- 3 Tbsp. butter, melted
- 1 cup sharp cheese, shredded (add at the end)
For Serving:
- Ketchup for topping meatloaf
Instructions
- Prepare Meatloaf Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, eggs, diced onion, ketchup, salt, pepper, onion powder, and crushed Saltine crackers. Mix gently to incorporate all ingredients without over mixing, ensuring the meatloaf stays tender.
- Shape Meatloaf in Slow Cooker: Shape the meat mixture into a loaf and place it on one side of the slow cooker insert, keeping it away from the edges to allow even cooking.
- Create Foil Bowl: Tear off a foot or so of aluminum foil and form it into a bowl shape to sit adjacent to the meatloaf within the slow cooker. This will hold the potatoes and onions.
- Prepare Potato Mixture: In the foil bowl, add the sliced russet potatoes and sliced onions. Season with salt, pepper, and onion powder, then toss the mixture by hand to coat evenly.
- Add Butter: Drizzle the melted butter over the potatoes and onions to add richness and enhance flavor.
- Cook in Slow Cooker: Cover the slow cooker and cook the meatloaf and potatoes on LOW for 5 hours. Do not open the lid during cooking to ensure the potatoes become tender.
- Add Cheese: After 5 hours, sprinkle the shredded sharp cheese over the potatoes. Cover again and cook for about 5 more minutes until the cheese melts.
- Serve: Add ketchup atop the meatloaf before serving for a classic flavor combination. Scoop the cheesy potatoes alongside and enjoy your comforting slow-cooked hobo dinner!
Notes
- Store any leftover meatloaf and potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat thoroughly in the microwave before serving.
- Ground turkey or ground chicken can be substituted for beef to reduce fat and calories.
- To prevent potatoes from drying out, avoid lifting the slow cooker lid during the initial 5 hours of cooking.
- If desired, season the potatoes with additional herbs like parsley or thyme for extra flavor variation.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 165 mg
