Description
These tender, juicy meatballs are cooked to perfection in a rich tomato sauce, all in your slow cooker. Perfect as a main dish, appetizer, or topping for pasta, Crockpot Meatballs are easy to make and packed with flavor.
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound ground pork
- ¼ cup onion, minced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
- 1 cup Italian breadcrumbs
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Sauce:
- 2 (24-ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
- 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
- 2 whole bay leaves
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Basil and parmesan cheese for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatball Mixture:
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, minced onion, garlic, parsley, breadcrumbs, eggs, parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.
- Mix with your hands until just combined to avoid overmixing.
- Form the Meatballs:
- Roll the mixture into balls about 1–2 inches in diameter. This recipe makes approximately 24 meatballs.
- Broil the Meatballs:
- Preheat the broiler and lightly grease a baking sheet.
- Place the meatballs on the sheet and broil for 4–5 minutes per side, or until browned. This locks in the juices and adds flavor.
- Assemble in the Crockpot:
- Transfer the browned meatballs to your slow cooker.
- Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, bay leaves, red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir gently to combine.
- Cook the Meatballs:
- Cover and cook on Low for 4 hours, allowing the sauce to thicken and the flavors to meld.
- Finish and Serve:
- Remove the bay leaves and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Serve the meatballs warm, garnished with fresh basil and parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- Broiling Optional: For a faster option, skip the broiling step and add raw meatballs directly to the slow cooker, but browning adds extra flavor.
- Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Alternative Sauces: Experiment with marinara, vodka sauce, or Alfredo for different flavor profiles.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Main Course, Appetizer
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Italian-American