Slow Cooker Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
I use 90% lean
- 3/4 cup Italian breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
plus more for serving
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1/2 cup minced onion
- 1 egg
- 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
plus more for serving
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- cooking spray
- 28 ounce jar marinara sauce
- 16 ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 15 ounce can tomato sauce
Directions
- 1
Preheat the broiler. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray.
- 2
Place the ground beef, breadcrumbs, parsley, garlic, onion, egg, parmesan cheese, salt and pepper in a bowl. Mix until well combined. If it's hard to get everything to mix together, add a little water, a teaspoon at a time until a smooth mixture forms.
- 3
Shape the meat into 1 inch meatballs and place on the prepared baking sheet.
- 4
Broil the meatballs until browned, about 8-10 minutes.
- 5
Place the meatballs in the slow cooker. Add the marinara sauce, crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce and stir gently to combine.
- 6
Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours.
- 7
Top the meatballs with a sprinkling of parsley and parmesan cheese, then serve.
Slow Cooker Meatballs
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About this Recipe
Craving the ultimate comfort food without the fuss? These slow cooker meatballs are your answer, delivering tender, flavorful perfection with minimal effort. Imagine coming home to the comforting aroma of rich tomato sauce simmering with juicy meatballs, ready to transform into a satisfying meal.
The beauty of these Slow Cooker Meatballs lies in their simple yet profound homemade taste. By combining savory ground beef with classic Italian breadcrumbs, fresh parsley, aromatic minced garlic and onion, and grated Parmesan cheese, you create a foundation of flavor that truly shines. The magic of the slow cooker ensures each meatball becomes incredibly tender, slow-simmering in a robust blend of marinara, crushed tomatoes, and tomato sauce, allowing all the flavors to meld beautifully.
What you can expect is a batch of exceptionally tender, moist meatballs, enveloped in a rich, deeply flavored tomato sauce that clings perfectly. This is a hearty, satisfying dish designed for those days when you need a comforting meal but have limited time for hands-on cooking. It’s the kind of dish that warms you from the inside out, offering a taste of home without all the fuss.
Feel free to customize these slow cooker meatballs to your liking. While the ground beef is delicious, you could use a mix of beef and pork for an even richer flavor, or even ground turkey for a lighter option. Don't have fresh parsley? A teaspoon of dried Italian seasoning can work in a pinch, though fresh adds a brighter note. For an extra kick, a pinch of red pepper flakes can be added to the sauce.
These versatile meatballs are perfect for a variety of occasions. Serve them piled high over your favorite pasta for a classic dinner, tucked into warm sub rolls for a delicious meatball sandwich, or even as a crowd-pleasing appetizer at your next gathering.