Crockpot Italian Style Meat Loaf
1 (8 oz.) can pizza sauce
1 beaten egg
1/2 C. chopped onion
1/2 C. chopped green sweet pepper
1/3 C. fine dry seasoned bread crumbs
1/2 t. garlic salt
1/4 t. pepper
1/4 t. fennel seed, crushed, optional
1 1/2 lbs. lean ground beef
1/2 C. shredded mozzarella cheese
Reserve 1/3 cup pizza sauce; cover and chill. In a medium mixing bowl combine remaining pizza sauce and egg. Stir in onion, green pepper, bread crumbs, garlic salt, pepper and fennel. Add ground beef and mix well.
Crisscross three 18 x 2-inch foil strips (atop a sheet of waxed paper to keep counter clean.) In center of the foil strips shape a 6-inch round meat loaf. Bringing up foil strips, lift and transfer meat and foil to crockpot. Press meat away from sides of the cooker to avoid burning.
Cover; cook on low for 7 to 9 hours or on high for 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 hours ( or to 170° F. internal temperature)
Spread meat with reserved pizza sauce. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Cover cooker and let stand 5 to 10 minutes.
Using foil strips, carefully lift meat loaf and transfer to a serving plate; discard the foil strips.
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