Slow Cooker Sante Fe Meatloaf

As a chef and as a mom - I make a whole lot of food that I don't particularly enjoy eating.  It's truly a blessing in disguise because let's face it - if I only made food that I liked - everything would have chocolate in it and I would eat all of it.  

Meatloaf is a meal that frequently ends up on our family menu because it's a favorite of my daughter.  I don't necessarily share her meatloaf affection but I make it because I know how much she enjoys it.  

I'm happy to say that that isn't true anymore.  I recently found a meatloaf recipe that we BOTH love.  Ground turkey meatloaf packed with vegetables and Southwest flavor was the ticket to a delicious meatloaf that I can make for her AND me.  

Finding common ground in a meatloaf was epic but you haven't even heard the best part about this recipe yet --- This scrumptious meatloaf bakes in the slow cooker!!  It's easy to put together and it bakes all afternoon.  I love a great hands off recipe every once in a while.  

Slow Cooker Sante Fe Meatloaf
1 1/2 pounds lean ground turkey
2/3 cup + 2 Tablespoons red enchilada sauce
1/2 cup quick oats
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1/3 cup + 1 Tablespoon frozen corn
5 Tablespoons black beans, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup fresh cilantro
1 1/2 teaspoons cumin
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon onion powder
4 ounce can chopped green chilies, drained
1 egg
1 clove garlic, minced
1/3 cup Mexican cheese

Make a parchment sling for the inside of slow cooker.  

Combine turkey, 2 T. enchilada sauce, oats, onion, 1/3 c. corn, 1/4 c. black beans cilantro, cumin, salt, onion powder, chilies, egg and garlic.

Shape into a round loaf.

Place on parchment sling in slow cooker.

Cook on low for 6 hours.  Remove loaf using sling.  Drain liquid from slow cooker and return loaf.

Arguably, this meatloaf doesn't look very appealing at this stage but trust me - it will get better.  

Cover loaf with 2/3 c. enchilada sauce, cheese, 1 T. corn and 1 T. black beans. 

Cover and cook on high for 10 minutes.  Remove from slow cooker and garnish with cilantro.

Slice and serve.

I made my meat"loaf" in a half sphere shape because my crock pot is round.  If you have an oblong crock pot - by all means - shape your meatloaf into a more traditional loaf.  

I served these wedges of meatloaf to my daughter and her friend who was also home from college for the weekend.   They gobbled this up like they hadn't eaten a home cooked meal in weeks!   My college freshman has a whole new appreciation for my home cooked dinners -- and I'm loving it.

Get creative with your toppings.  Chopped tomatoes, sliced olives, avocado slices and sour cream would be great condiments to add to this Southwest meatloaf.  Customize it to your family.

Ciao!

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