Meatloaf can easily be made gluten-free, and if you combine it with potatoes in a crock pot, then most of the meal cooks at one time. This meatloaf recipe can also be baked in the oven. Take a look at my meatloaf tips and tricksto learn how I cut the baking time. Since the potatoes are place on the bottom of the crock, they cook in the meatloaf juice. Choose a lower lean beef so the potatoes don’t absorb too much fat. I’m not a fan of 90% lean ground beef because I think it lacks flavor. 85% lean is my choice for this dish.
Meatloaf and Potatoes (Slow Cooker)
Recipe type: Main
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 6 – 8
Ingredients
- Potatoes:
- 6 – 8 medium red or gold potatoes
- ½ cup water
- Meatloaf:
- 1½ pounds ground beef
- ½ cup gluten-free instant potatoes
- 1 egg
- ⅓ cup milk
- 1 Tablespoon onion powder
- 1 Tablespoon soy sauce or coconut aminos
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground sage
- ¼ teaspoon ground thyme
- ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
- Glaze:
- ¾ cup ketchup
- 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
- ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
Instructions
- Instructions
- Peel or scrub the potatoes and cut them into one inch size chunks.
- Place the potatoes in the bottom of a greased slow cooker and add the water.
- Combine all the meatloaf ingredients in a large bowl. I use my stand mixer on low speed to combine everything.
- Place the meatloaf on top of the potatoes and shape into an oval (or whatever shape your slow cooker is) so it mostly covers the potatoes.
- Combine the glaze ingredients in a small bowl and spread it evenly over the top of the meatloaf.
- Cover and cook on low for 6 – 8 hours or high for 3 – 4 hours or until the meatloaf and potatoes are both cooked through.
!!! I never thought to use instant mashed potatoes as the bread-y binder for meatloaf. Sadly we haven’t had it often since going gf because I rarely buy gf bread because of the price. The rare time I do, I try to save the ends and a slice or two to make enough bread crumbs for meatloaf. I will definitely try this! Do you think the instant mash pots are a 1:1 ratio for bread crumbs in traditional recipes?
Also, I love the idea of cooking the potatoes at the bottom of the slow cooker!
Hi Pagan. Yes, I use 1:1 ratio when substituting instant potatoes for bread crumbs. I also use it for recipes such as salmon cakes that call for bread crumbs.
That is awesome! I have tried meat loaf in the BBQ (needs some tweeking) and was wondering about the crock pot. In the summer I just cannot bear turning on the oven. We’ll give this one a whirl! Thank you!
I often use rice or g/f oatmeal for the binder. Comes out great.
Hi, I haven’t seen gluten free oatmeal my grandaughter who is fourteen is very sensitive to gluten and we have been advised not to give her oatmeal. Can you tell me the brand nme and where you purchased it.
Thanks
Margie
There are several brands of gluten free oats. I like Cream Hill Estates. Check health food stores or Amazon. Not everyone can tolerate oats, however. Start off easy.
Thank you Linda. I know that we can get wheat free oats but am told that oats have there own gluten?
There are other foods that contain a type of gluten such as corn and potatoes, so not all gluten is bad. What is in oats only affects some people. According to the Center for Celiac Research, 5% of celiacs have a problem with oats. That means 95% don’t. If she is going to try eating them, the doctor may want to do blood work again in a few months.
I have never heard of instant potatoes? Where in the grocery store can I find them? Is it a powder?
Yes, the potatoes are dried into flakes or powder. Check the box to make sure, but several major brands were listed on the Celiac website’s Q & A.
I love this idea, especially with the potatoes on the bottom and 85% lean ground beef in the loaf. My husband favors a mushroom sauce on top, which I think will also work. Thanks, Linda!
I made this yesterday and it was a big hit!! The Instant Potato flakes held perfectly- I was very impressed and the meal was delicious. The only differences I made were I added chopped onions over the potatoes and after removing the meat loaf & Potatoes from the crock pot I added a packet of Gluten Free Savory Gravy mix to the juices and then poured that over the potatoes. This was a very easy meal and easy clean up. Even my pickiest eater ate 2 helpings!!!
Linda, thanks for letting me know. I’m glad everyone liked it!
The entire recipe is not posted here anymore… do I have to subscribe to the Word Press recipe to view? I have made this recipe before and it was a bit winner! Sure wish I could see the entire recipe again.
Sorry about that. I’m having some problems, but you should be able to view the entire recipe now.
Do you know the nutrition facts? I’m doing Weight Watchers and need to figure out points and portion size.
Sorry, Adrienne. I don’t have that information.
Just popped this in the crockpot for my husband. I subbed almond flour for the instant potatoes and used sweet potatoes instead of white. He tries to eat paleo, so those subs will make him happy!
Happy Memorial Day!!
Heather
Heather, they sound like great substitutes. My husband doesn’t care for sweet potatoes so I usually put in regular potatoes for the family and I skip them altogether. I think I’ll try the almond flour next time.
Can you use ground turkey instead of beef?? If so, any changes I should make?
I haven’t tried it with ground turkey, so you’ll just have to experiment.