Slow Cooker Meatballs are easy, flavorful, and perfect for parties, pasta, or sandwiches. The slow cooker keeps them tender while the sauce becomes rich and delicious.
Slow Cooker Meatballs
Servings: 4–6
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (or beef and pork mix)
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp chopped parsley (optional)
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 cups marinara or tomato sauce
- ½ cup water or beef broth
Instructions
- Make the meatballs
- In a bowl mix ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper.
- Form the meatballs
- Roll mixture into 1–1½ inch balls.
- Optional browning
- Brown the meatballs in a skillet for 5–7 minutes for extra flavor (optional but recommended).
- Add to slow cooker
- Place meatballs in the slow cooker.
- Pour marinara sauce and broth over them.
- Cook
- Low: 5–6 hours
- High: 2½–3 hours
- Serve
- Serve over pasta, rice, or in a sub roll for meatball sandwiches.
Flavor Variations
- BBQ meatballs: Use barbecue sauce and a little grape jelly.
- Swedish style: Cook in beef broth then stir in cream and sour cream at the end.
- Sweet chili: Use sweet chili sauce with soy sauce and garlic.
Great With
- spaghetti
- mashed potatoes
- garlic bread
- rice or noodles
If you’d like, I can also show you 3 extremely popular slow cooker meatball recipes (party-style, Italian, and sweet BBQ). 🍝
