Whip up a delicious crockpot meatball recipe that delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort. This comforting dish brings together juicy meatballs and a rich tomato sauce, slow-cooked to perfection. It’s truly a family-friendly meal that makes weeknight dinners wonderfully simple. Get ready to enjoy tender, homemade goodness with ease!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Easy Crockpot Meatball Recipe
This crockpot meatball recipe will quickly become a favorite in your kitchen for many reasons:
- Ultimate Simplicity: Perfect for busy parents and beginners, these slow cooker meatballs require little hands-on time, making weeknight dinners a breeze.
- Always Tender and Juicy: Cooking low and slow ensures every meatball becomes incredibly tender and flavorful, never dry. As explained by the science of cooking, slow cooking breaks down collagen into gelatin, resulting in exceptionally tender meat.
- Incredibly Versatile: Serve them over pasta for a hearty meal, or as a crowd-pleasing appetizer with toothpicks.
- Rich, Flavorful Sauce: The simple yet robust tomato sauce infuses the meatballs with deep, comforting flavors throughout the cooking process.
- Beginner-Friendly: Our step-by-step guide makes this a perfect recipe for anyone new to slow cooking or making homemade meatballs.
Ingredients
Gathering the right ingredients is the first step to a fantastic crockpot meatball recipe. Freshness makes all the difference for this simple yet satisfying dish.
For the Sauce:
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15-ounce) can crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce
- ¾ medium onion, finely diced
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
For the Meatballs:
- ¾ cup breadcrumbs
- ½ cup milk
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ medium onion, finely diced
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 ¾ teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
- 1 ¾ teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ cup shredded Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 pound ground 90/10 beef
- 1 pound ground Italian turkey sausage
Notes & Substitutions
You can easily adapt this slow-cooked meatballs recipe to your pantry or preferences. For the meat, a blend of ground beef and Italian turkey sausage provides great flavor and texture. Feel free to use all beef, or a mix of beef, pork, or even ground chicken for a lighter touch. For breadcrumbs, standard dried breadcrumbs work well, but fresh breadcrumbs or panko will give a slightly different, often lighter, texture. If you don’t have Pecorino Romano, Parmesan cheese is a perfect substitute. Adjust the crushed red pepper flakes to control the spice level; omit them entirely for a milder sauce. If Italian turkey sausage is unavailable, regular ground Italian sausage (pork) works wonderfully, or add a pinch of fennel seed and red pepper flakes to plain ground turkey for a similar flavor.
Equipment
You only need a few basic kitchen tools to make this delicious crockpot meatball recipe:
- 6-quart slow cooker: Essential for the low and slow cooking process.
- Large mixing bowl: For combining the meatball ingredients.
- Small bowl: To soak the breadcrumbs.
- Measuring cups and spoons: For accurate ingredient amounts.
- Cookie scoop (optional): A #40 cookie scoop helps create uniformly sized meatballs quickly.
Instructions
Creating this easy crockpot meatball recipe is straightforward. Follow these steps for tender, flavorful meatballs every time.
Step 1: Prepare the Sauce
Start by setting your slow cooker to the low setting. Add all of the crushed tomatoes, the ¾ finely diced onion, bay leaf, sugar, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and freshly ground black pepper into the slow cooker pot. Give everything a quick, thorough stir to ensure all the sauce ingredients are well combined. This forms the flavorful base for your delicious crockpot meatball recipe.
Step 2: Prepare the Meatball Mixture
In a medium-sized bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and milk, allowing the breadcrumbs to soak for a few moments until softened. To the same bowl with the soaked breadcrumbs, add the minced garlic, the remaining ¼ finely diced onion, chopped fresh parsley, freshly ground black pepper, kosher salt, dried oregano, shredded Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese, and the large egg. Use a fork to mix these ingredients together until well combined. Then, add the ground 90/10 beef and the ground Italian turkey sausage to the bowl. Use your hands to gently mix everything together, just enough to combine the ingredients without overworking the meat. Overmixing can lead to tough meatballs, so be gentle.
Step 3: Shape the Meatballs
The meatball mixture can be quite sticky, but keeping your hands wet with water makes rolling them much easier. Alternatively, use a small #40 cookie scoop for consistent sizes. Aim for meatballs that are a little smaller than a golf ball. Pinch off about a tablespoon of the meat mixture, roll it between your wet palms into a ball, and then place it directly into the prepared sauce in the slow cooker. Continue this process until you have used all of the meatball mixture. Don’t worry if some of the meatballs aren’t completely submerged in the sauce; they will settle into the sauce as they cook down.
Step 4: Slow Cook
Once all the meatballs are in the sauce, secure the lid onto your slow cooker. Let the crockpot meatball recipe cook for the recommended time. Cook on the LOW setting for 8 to 10 hours, or if you are short on time, cook on the HIGH setting for 5 hours. The long, slow cooking time allows the flavors to meld beautifully and ensures the meatballs are incredibly tender.
Step 5: Serve
After cooking, your amazing crockpot meatball recipe is ready to enjoy. Serve these delicious meatballs over a bed of spaghetti, with creamy polenta, or fluffy rice for a satisfying meal. For a hearty sandwich, pile them onto hoagie buns with a sprinkle of cheese. They also make fantastic party appetizers served with toothpicks. If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can transfer it to a skillet set over medium-high heat and reduce it until it reaches your desired consistency. If you notice any fat floating on top of the sauce, simply stir it back in; it adds to the flavor.
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
Achieve perfect, tender meatballs every time with these helpful tips for your crockpot meatball recipe:
- Do not overmix the meat: Gently combine ingredients only until just mixed. Overmixing compacts the meat, leading to tough meatballs.
- Use wet hands or a scoop: Wetting your hands prevents sticking when shaping, or use a cookie scoop for uniform size and easy handling.
- Adjust red pepper flakes for heat: Start with ½ teaspoon, and add more to the sauce if you prefer a spicier kick.
- Ensure adequate filling: Your slow cooker should be at least half full for even cooking. Adjust the recipe amount if using a smaller or larger slow cooker.
- Handling excess fat: If the sauce appears too oily, skim off any excess fat with a spoon before serving. Stirring it back in also works and adds flavor.
Serving, Storage & Variations
This versatile crockpot meatball recipe offers many delicious options for serving, storing, and customizing.
Serving Suggestions
- Classic Comfort: Serve them generously over your favorite pasta, such as spaghetti or ziti, for a timeless family dinner.
- Hearty Subs: Load them onto toasted hoagie buns with melted provolone or mozzarella for a satisfying meatball sub.
- Appetizer Delight: Arrange them on a platter with toothpicks for an easy and flavorful party appetizer.
- Alternative Sides: Pair these meatballs with creamy polenta, fluffy rice, or even mashed potatoes for a comforting meal.
Storage
- Refrigerate: Store leftover cooked crockpot meatballs and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Longevity: They taste best and remain safe to eat within 3 to 5 days.
Freezing
- Freeze Cooked: This recipe freezes beautifully! Allow the cooked meatballs and sauce to cool completely.
- Container: Transfer them to freezer-safe bags or airtight containers.
- Thawing: Thaw frozen meatballs overnight in the refrigerator.
- Reheating: Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat until warmed through, or in the microwave.
Variations
- Meat Options: Experiment with different ground meats like all pork, all beef, or a vegetarian blend.
- Cheese Center: For an extra treat, press a small cube of mozzarella cheese into the center of each meatball before cooking.
- Herb Twist: Add fresh basil or thyme to the sauce or meatball mixture for varied aromatic notes.
- Creamy Sauce: Stir in a splash of heavy cream or a dollop of cream cheese into the sauce just before serving for a richer, creamier texture.
Nutrition
Enjoying this delicious meatball dish can be part of a balanced diet. Here’s an estimated nutritional breakdown for a single serving from this crockpot meatball recipe.
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 402 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 22 g |
| Cholesterol | 132 mg |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Protein | 36 g |
| Saturated Fat | 6 g |
| Sodium | 1283 mg |
| Sugar | 9 g |
| Fat | 19 g |
Serving Size: Makes about 40 meatballs. Nutritional values are estimates and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
FAQ
Got questions about this easy crockpot meatball recipe? We have answers!
- Can I brown the meatballs first? Yes, you can quickly brown them in a skillet for added flavor and texture, but it’s not necessary for this slow cooker recipe. Browning adds an extra step but gives a slightly crispier exterior.
- Can I use frozen meatballs? While this recipe is designed for fresh, homemade meatballs, you can adapt it by adding pre-cooked frozen meatballs directly to the simmering sauce. Extend cooking time if needed to ensure they are heated through.
- How do I prevent dry meatballs? Using a combination of ground beef and Italian turkey sausage helps keep them moist. Also, avoid overmixing the meat mixture, and ensure they cook submerged in plenty of sauce.
- Can this recipe be made ahead? Absolutely! You can assemble the meatballs and sauce and refrigerate them overnight before starting the slow cooking process the next day. This makes busy mornings even easier.
- What size slow cooker is needed? A 6-quart slow cooker is ideal for this recipe, allowing enough space for the meatballs and sauce to cook evenly. A slightly smaller 5-quart model might work, but you’ll need to adjust the quantities.
Conclusion
This easy crockpot meatball recipe truly delivers on its promise: minimal effort, maximum flavor, and ultimate comfort. It’s the perfect solution for busy weeknights, effortless entertaining, or simply enjoying a hearty meal with loved ones. Tender, juicy meatballs simmered in a rich tomato sauce create a dish everyone will adore. Give this simple recipe a try and let your slow cooker do all the hard work!
Easy Crockpot Meatball Recipe
Equipment
- Slow cooker
- Medium-sized bowl
- fork
- Skillet (optional)
- Cookie scoop (optional)
Ingredients
Sauce
- 1 can crushed tomatoes 28-ounce
- 1 can crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce 15-ounce
- 3/4 onion medium, finely diced
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Meatballs
- 3/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 onion medium, finely diced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped
- 1 3/4 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
- 1 3/4 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 cup Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese shredded
- 1 large egg
- 1 pound ground beef 90/10
- 1 pound ground Italian turkey sausage
Instructions
Preparation
- In a slow cooker set to low, combine crushed tomatoes, 3/4 medium onion, bay leaf, sugar, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper; stir well.
- In a medium-sized bowl, mix breadcrumbs and milk.
- Add garlic, 1/4 medium onion, parsley, pepper, salt, oregano, cheese, and egg to the breadcrumb mixture, mixing with a fork. Then add ground beef and turkey, gently combining with your hands.
Cooking
- Keeping hands wet, roll tablespoon-sized portions of meat into balls (smaller than a golf ball) and place them directly into the sauce in the slow cooker. They will submerge as they cook.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook for 5 hours on high, or 8 to 10 hours on low.
Serving
- Serve meatballs over spaghetti, on hoagie buns, or as an appetizer. To thicken the sauce, reduce it in a skillet over medium-high heat.