Slow Cooker Taco Meatloaf

Whaaaat?

Your family will love it….did you hear me? Love it!

Explore the fun in crafting a delectable meatloaf directly in your trusty slow cooker. Homemade meatloaf is a timeless comfort food. This slow cooker recipe adds an extra layer of coziness with a fusion of Mexican spices blended in the mix.  Ole’!

This recipe takes about 30 minutes to prep, 5 hours in the slow cooker and serves about eight. 


​This would be perfect for a late Saturday morning prep, put in the crock pot and have an early dinner after getting back from trekking the kids all over town to and from games, practice, shopping, while watching the big game...or for any reason!

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Ingredients

• 3 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1-28 ounce can fire-roasted crushed tomatoes, or your own substitute of diced/crushed tomatoes
• ¾ cup crushed tortilla chips
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika or chili powder
• 2 pounds ground grass-fed beef
• 1 cup whole kernel corn
• Your favorite salsa
• ½ cup Monterey Jack cheese with jalapeño peppers, shredded (2 oz.) (optional)
• Corn tortillas, warmed or grilled (optional)
• Sliced avocado, green onions, whole kernel corn, and cilantro (optional)
• Lime wedges (optional)
• Anything else you want to complement your spicy creation

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Directions

In a large bowl combine eggs, crushed tomatoes and crushed tortilla chips. Stir in onion, garlic, cumin, paprika, 1/2 tsp. each salt and black pepper. Add beef and corn; mix well. Shape mixture into a round loaf or oblong loaf to fit your slow cooker.

Using a meat-rack inside 3 to 4-quart slow cooker, place meat loaf on top of meat rack in center of slow cooker. If needed, push meat away from sides to avoid burning. 

Alternatively, if no meat rack is available or won’t fit, you can make a “foil sling”.  Crisscross three or four 18-inch strips of foil, folded to double thickness. Place meat loaf in center of strips. Bring up foil strips to lift and transfer meat to a slow cooker.

If too challenging to get into a slow cooker, simply use a pre-heated 375-degree F oven, place shaped loaf not a shallow baking pan and bake for 75 minutes or until fully cooked to 160 degrees F.
  
Cover, cook on low for 5 to 6 hours or on high for 2 ½ to 3 hours, or until center of loaf reads 160 degrees F.

Carefully lift meat loaf from cooker and place on cutting board. Sprinkle with cheese. Let stand 10 minutes.

Cut into taco/tortilla shell size slices for all to enjoy. 

Serve with corn tortillas, salsa, avocado, green onion, cilantro, corn and lime wedges…or any other toppings you desire. Let your imagination run.  Use tac shells, flour tortillas, grill them.

Hope you enjoy!

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