Description
This Slow Cooker Hobo Dinner recipe is a comforting, all-in-one meal featuring a flavorful meatloaf paired with tender sliced potatoes and onions, topped with melted sharp cheese. Perfect for a hassle-free dinner, it uses simple ingredients and slow-cooking to develop rich flavors and a satisfying texture.
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
- 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 (added at the end)
For Serving
- Ketchup for topping meatloaf
Instructions
- Prepare Meatloaf Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, eggs, diced white onion, ketchup, salt, pepper, onion powder, and crushed Saltine crackers. Mix gently to combine, being careful not to overmix to maintain tenderness.
- Shape Meatloaf: Shape the meatloaf on one side of the slow cooker insert, ensuring it does not touch the sides to cook evenly.
- Create Foil Bowl: Form a bowl-shaped structure next to the meatloaf using a foot of aluminum foil, which will hold the potatoes and onions.
- Add Potatoes and Onions: Place the sliced russet potatoes and sliced white onion into the foil bowl beside the meatloaf.
- Season Potatoes and Onions: Sprinkle salt, pepper, and onion powder over the potatoes and onions, then toss by hand to evenly coat.
- Drizzle Butter: Pour melted butter over the seasoned potatoes and onions to add richness and aid in cooking.
- Cook: Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on LOW for 5 hours. Avoid opening the lid during this time, as it will prevent the potatoes from becoming tender.
- Add Cheese: After 5 hours, sprinkle shredded sharp cheese over the potatoes and cover again for about 5 minutes until the cheese melts.
- Serve: Top the meatloaf with ketchup as desired and serve both components warm.
- Enjoy: Dig in to this hearty, slow-cooked Hobo Dinner fresh from the slow cooker.
Notes
- Store any leftover meatloaf and potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. They can be kept together or separately.
- Reheat leftovers in the microwave until warmed throughout.
- Ground turkey or ground chicken can be used as a substitute for ground beef for a lighter option.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg
