Crockpot Meatballs

These crockpot meatballs simmer in a wealthy tomato sauce, turning easy elements into a young, flavor-packed consolation meal with nearly no effort.

Crockpot Meatballs with a bite taken out of one

Taste: Tender and juicy with traditional Italian flavors, simmered in a wealthy, garlicky tomato sauce that’s each savory and comforting.
Really helpful Instruments: A small cookie scoop retains the meatballs the identical measurement so that they prepare dinner evenly.
Serving Strategies: Serve over spaghetti, polenta, or tucked into toasted meatball subs. They’re even higher with homemade garlic bread and a traditional Caesar salad to spherical out the meal.

ingredients for crock pot meatballs on a counter labeled: diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, egg, parmesan, garlic & onion, seasoning, ground beef, parsley, pasta sauce, and bread crumbs

Greatest Components for Meatballs

Floor Beef: Utilizing lean floor beef retains the sauce from getting greasy. For a heartier meatball, use a beef-and-pork mix. For a bolder taste, swap half of the bottom beef for Italian sausage. If changing with floor turkey or hen, add a tablespoon of milk to maintain them tender.
Bread Crumbs: High quality breadcrumbs work greatest for binding the meatballs. Gluten-free crumbs or crushed crackers can be utilized as a simple swap.
Sauce: Use a marinara or pasta sauce you already love because it drives the ultimate taste, or select one with garlic and basil for a traditional Italian style.
Seasonings: Including Italian seasoning to the gradual cooker brings all of the flavors collectively fantastically.
Variations: Stir in a spoonful of tomato paste close to the tip for a thicker sauce, or add a Parmesan rind whereas it simmers for further savory richness, eradicating it earlier than serving.

Uncooked meatballs in a black slow cooker

Methods to Cook dinner Meatballs within the Crockpot

Mix meatball elements and roll into balls (full recipe under).
Place within the Crockpot and prime with sauce.
Cook dinner the meatballs till they attain 160°F, and the sauce is effervescent.

Combine gently and cease as quickly as every thing is mixed to maintain the meatballs tender.
Preserve the lid closed as a lot as attainable to keep up constant cooking time.
An instant-read thermometer takes the guesswork out of constructing certain the meatballs are totally cooked.
To make forward, type and freeze meatballs on a tray till agency, then retailer them in a freezer-safe bag so that they don’t stick collectively. Cook dinner from frozen, including further time as wanted.

Crockpot Meatballs served over rigatoni on a white plate

Storing and Reheating Ideas

Retailer cooled meatballs in an hermetic container and refrigerate as much as 4 days. Or freeze in meal-sized parts in freezer baggage or containers for as much as 3 months for highest quality.

Reheat on the stovetop over medium-low or within the microwave in brief bursts, stirring the sauce in between. Or reheat in a gradual cooker on low, stirring sometimes, till sizzling all through. Add a splash of water if the sauce has thickened.

Can I put uncooked meatballs immediately into the gradual cooker?

Sure, you may! They’ll totally prepare dinner within the sauce. Cook dinner till the meatballs attain 160°F within the middle.

Can I take advantage of precooked or frozen meatballs?

Sure. Frozen meatballs will want further time to make sure they’re heated by way of earlier than serving. Precooked, thawed meatballs can prepare dinner for much less time since they solely have to heat up.

Can I prepare dinner these meatballs on low within the gradual cooker?

Sure, prepare dinner on low for six to 7 hours or excessive for 3 to 4 hours. Preserve the lid on as a lot as attainable, and prepare dinner till the meatballs attain 160°F.

Extra Meatball Favorites

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image of Everyday Comfort cookbook by Holly Nilsson of Spend With Pennies plus text

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook dinner Time 3 hours

Whole Time 3 hours 10 minutes

Spray gradual cooker with cooking spray.
Mix all meatball elements in a bowl. Utilizing a tablespoon, type 24 meatballs. Place raw meatballs within the backside of the gradual cooker.
Mix all sauce elements in a big bowl. Pour over meatballs and prepare dinner on excessive for 3-4 hours.
Serve over pasta.

Preserve leftovers in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 4 days and within the freezer for as much as 3 months.

Diet info supplied is an estimate and can range based mostly on cooking strategies and types of elements used.

Course Predominant Course, Gradual Cooker

Delicacies American, Italian

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Recipe tailored from The ShortCut Kitchen.