Slow Cooker Tomato Sauce with Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cups breadcrumbs
- 2 cloves garlic; crushed
- 1/2 small white onion; chopped
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 egg.
8 oz  ricotta cheese  - 1/4 milk
- 1 - 28 ounce can tomato puree
- 1 - 28 ounce can whole peeled plum tomatoes
- 2 cloves garlic; crushed
- 1 tablespoon dried basil leaves
- 2 tablespoons dried parsley
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- salt and pepper to taste; optional
- 1/2 cup water
Directions
- 1
In a bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, garlic, salt, pepper, parsley, egg, ricotta cheese, and milk together in a large bowl.
- 2
Shape into meatballs.
- 3
After they have been formed, refrigerate them for 15 minutes to firm up before browning them in the frying pan.
- 4
Add enough oil to cover the bottom of a heavy frying pan. Allow the oil to heat up and then add the meatballs.
- 5
Brown the meatballs on all sides.
- 6
Remove from the pan and allow to drain on paper towels for a few minutes while you prepare the tomato sauce.
- 7
Add the ingredients for the tomato sauce to the slow cooker.
- 8
Use the back of a spoon or the meat chopped to break up the whole tomatoes.
- 9
Add the meatballs.
- 10
Cook on low for 4 to 6 hours or until the meatballs are cooked through.
- 11
Serve over cooked spaghetti.
Slow Cooker Tomato Sauce with Meatballs
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About this Recipe
Craving a deeply flavorful, comforting Italian-American classic without being tied to the stove? This Slow Cooker Tomato Sauce with Meatballs is your answer to a truly satisfying dinner that practically cooks itself, leaving you free to enjoy your evening.
The magic of this recipe lies in the "low and slow" cooking method. By simmering the robust tomato sauce and tender meatballs together for hours, the flavors marry and deepen beautifully. This gentle approach ensures the meatballs remain incredibly juicy and infused with the rich tomato goodness, creating a complex taste that stovetop versions often can't match.
What you'll experience is a truly authentic-tasting sauce—thick, velvety, and bursting with the savory sweetness of slow-cooked tomatoes, balanced by fragrant basil and parsley. The meatballs, made with ground beef, breadcrumbs, and a touch of ricotta and milk, come out exceptionally tender and flavorful, absorbing all the deliciousness of the sauce. It's a hearty, aromatic meal that evokes warmth and tradition, perfect for a cozy family dinner.
Feel free to customize this slow cooker wonder to your liking. While delicious with ground beef, you could blend in some ground pork or Italian sausage for an even richer meatball flavor. For a touch of heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes would be a welcome addition to the sauce. If you prefer, swap the dried herbs for fresh ones at the end of cooking for a brighter aroma.
Serve this rustic, comforting dish generously over your favorite pasta for a complete and satisfying meal. A final dusting of freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a side of crusty bread would elevate it to perfection.