Slow-cooked meatloaf with sun-dried tomatoes, parsley and provolone cheese.

1 1/4 cup fresh bread crumbs
1/2 cup milk
4 tsp olive oil
1 1/2 cups chopped onions
2 cloves crushed garlic
1 tsp dried oregano
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1/2 cup chopped oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp each salt and pepper
1 lb ground beef
1 lb ground turkey

Topping:
3/4 cup shredded provolone cheese
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
2 tbsp chopped oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes

Line bottom and side of crockpot with heavy tin foil.
In a large bowl, stir bread crumbs with milk and let stand for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, in a skilled on medium heat, fry onions, garlic and oregano for about 6 minutes. Add to breadcrumbs. Then add eggs, sun-dreid tomatoes, parsely, parmesan, salt and pepper. Combine with a wooden spoon. Mix in ground meat, using hands if needed. Place in centre of foil-lined crockpot and form into a loaf shape.
Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, until meat thermometer registers 170 F.
Sprinkle loaf with topping of cheese, parsley and sun-dried tomatoes Cover and cook on high until cheese is melted, about 5 minutes. Gently lift the foil to pull the loaf out of the crockpot. Let stand on a cutting board for about 5 minutes to let the fat drain off into foil. Transfer loaf directly onto cutting board and slice.

I made this meatloaf on New Years day for dinner. I usually make something special on that day, and while meatloaf may not sound very special, this meatloaf certainly was. It nice and juicy, thanks to the moistened breadcrumbs, and the sun-dried tomatoes added so much flavour. I’m also in love with provolone cheese now. It’s not a cheese I’ve ever thought to buy before, but I sure am enjoying it since I had to buy it for this recipe. This meatloaf also makes great leftovers. We had meatloaf sandwiches the next day and I really enjoyed them. I had mine with pickles and it was especially yummy. The boys didn’t love the sandwiches so much, but they did seem to like the meatloaf on its own the first night. I had served it with yams, which they hate, so they might have only liked the meatloaf by default. Anyway, they ate it and that’s the main thing!

-Recipe adapted from Canadian Living: The Slow Cooker Collection