Description
This Crockpot Meatballs recipe features tender, flavorful meatballs slow-cooked in a rich blend of canned tomatoes, pasta sauce, and herbs. Perfect for a comforting family meal, these meatballs absorb the savory sauce while cooking low and slow, making them an effortless and delicious dish to serve over pasta.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatball Ingredients
- 1½ pounds lean ground beef
- â…“ cup Italian bread crumbs
- ¼ cup finely diced onion
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Sauce Ingredients
- 1 (28 ounce) can canned diced tomatoes (with juices)
- 24 ounces pasta sauce (or marinara sauce)
- 14 ounces crushed tomatoes (canned)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Prepare slow cooker: Spray the inside of the slow cooker with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Make meatballs: In a large bowl, combine the lean ground beef, Italian bread crumbs, finely diced onion, chopped fresh parsley, grated Parmesan cheese, egg, and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning. Mix gently until just combined. Using a tablespoon, form approximately 24 evenly sized meatballs.
- Arrange meatballs: Place the uncooked meatballs evenly in the bottom of the slow cooker, making sure they are not overcrowded for even cooking.
- Prepare sauce: In a separate large bowl, mix together the canned diced tomatoes with their juices, pasta sauce, crushed tomatoes, minced garlic, and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning until well combined.
- Cook meatballs: Pour the prepared sauce evenly over the meatballs in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 3 to 4 hours, or until the meatballs are cooked through and tender.
- Serve: Carefully remove the meatballs and sauce from the slow cooker and serve them hot over cooked pasta of your choice.
Notes
- For best flavor, use fresh parsley and freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
- Cooking time can be adjusted to low setting for 6-7 hours if preferred.
- To reduce sodium, choose low-sodium pasta sauce or canned tomatoes.
- These meatballs freeze well; store cooled leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
- Gluten-free bread crumbs can be substituted to make this recipe gluten-free.
