SLOW COOKER Specialties

CLASSIC MEATLOAF

Serves 6-8

You don’t need to turn on the oven to “bake” this quintessential comfort food. Follow instructions from Blair Lonergan of The Seasoned Mom, who adapted her mother’s traditional meatloaf recipe to suit the low-and-slow cooking method.

INGREDIENTS

2 pounds lean ground beef (or a meatloaf mix consisting of ground beef, ground veal and ground pork)
1 cup finely diced onion
2 eggs
½ cup breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1½ teaspoons salt
¾ teaspoon pepper
¼ teaspoon dried thyme
½ cup ketchup

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Spray the interior of a slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.

2. Gently combine all ingredients (except ketchup) in a large bowl. Do not overmix, or the meat will be tough.

3. Shape beef mixture into a loaf and place in the prepared slow cooker.

4. Spread a thin layer of ketchup over the top of the meatloaf.

5. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours or on high for 2 to

3 hours, or until a meat thermometer inserted in the center of the meatloaf reads 160°F.