Crockpot Italian Style Meat Loaf

1 (8 oz) can pizza sauce
1 beaten egg
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped green sweet pepper
1/3 cup fine dry seasoned bread crumbs
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp fennel seed, crushed, optional
1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (2 oz)

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 18x2-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 degree 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.

 AUTHOR: karebear