These slow cooker meatballs are Italian style and made with ground beef, parmesan cheese, herbs and spices. They’re slow simmered to tender perfection in the crock pot and are perfect served over spaghetti or as a hearty appetizer.
Crock pot meatballs are my very favorite type of meatball – they’re melt in your mouth tender and surprisingly easy to make! Serve your meatballs with a side of garlic knots and broccoli for a complete meal.
I am currently in love with my slow cooker all over again. Fall is here, and my crock pot comes in quite handy for quick meals that don’t leave you or your family hanging, like these slow cooker meatballs. A delicious and hearty meal that’s perfect for those cooler nights.
HOW DO YOU MAKE SLOW COOKER MEATBALLS?
The first step in this recipe is to make your meatball mixture, which is a combination of ground beef, onion, garlic, herbs, parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs. You can shape your meatballs as big or as small as you like, I typically make mine about 1 1/2 inches in size. I use 90% ground beef for my crock pot meatballs as it’s not overly greasy, but has plenty of flavor.
Can you put raw meatballs in a slow cooker?
Technically yes, you can put raw meatballs in the slow cooker. I prefer to broil mine first because it guarantees that your meatballs will hold their shape and they won’t stick together during the slow cooking process. Broiling the meatballs takes just 10 minutes more and is so worth the extra time.
Tips for Slow Cooker Meatballs
- Make sure to mince your onion finely for these slow cooker Italian meatballs so they’re adult and kid-friendly.
- This recipe can easily be doubled to feed a crowd if need be.
- Use your favorite store-bought marinara sauce to ensure the final dish will be to your liking.
- You can substitute ground turkey for the ground beef if you prefer.
WHAT GOES GOOD WITH MEATBALLS?
What’s great about meatballs is that they’re so versatile. You can serve them as a hearty appetizer on a toothpick or toss them over some cooked spaghetti and make a dinner out of them. These slow cooker meatballs are also great as a pizza topping, in a baked pasta dish, or in a calzone.
I love these meatballs because they taste like they came from a restaurant. They’re so tender and packed full of flavor from simmering all day in the crock pot.
I don’t know about you but taking a few minutes to prep dinner in the morning is worth coming home to a finished meal. Long days are a constant with school in session. Having a great recipe like these slow cooker meatballs make it just a little easier.
MORE MEATBALL RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE
- Cranberry Meatballs
- Cheesy Meatball Bake
- Teriyaki Meatballs
- Farro Soup with Meatballs
- Greek Meatballs with Lemon Dill Rice
Slow Cooker Meatballs Video
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
Instructions
- Preheat the broiler. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray.
- 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.
- Shape the meat into 1 inch meatballs and place on the prepared baking sheet.
- Broil the meatballs until browned, about 8-10 minutes.
- Place the meatballs in the slow cooker. Add the marinara sauce, crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce and stir gently to combine.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours.
- Top the meatballs with a sprinkling of parsley and parmesan cheese, then serve.
This recipe sounds delicious – and so easy to follow too! I may have to give this a try 🙂 x
I love a good meat ball! I have never acutally made them before, will have to try this out
these look so good! i always buy meatballs, i never make them but i should
Those meatballs look truly scrumptious! I’d love to try them with our homemade sauce soon 🙂
I have not used my slow cooker in a very long time. I think I will be pulling it out it’s hiding place to make some of my favorite dishes. This one sounds yummy!!!
We love meatballs and would definitely add loads of parmesan to them! Tasty!
These meatballs look ever so delicious! We love meatballs in our house but I have never thought to try cooking them in the slow cooker! What a great idea.
Those look delicious! I honestly bake mine after trying them so many ways I just love the texture of the baked ones.
Yum, these slow cooker meatballs look so delicious! We have an equivalent in Italy, but I also like the look of these.
These meatballs look so good, flavorful, and super easy to make.
This is a great recipe of a heartwarming meal!! I look forward to trying this one!
This is my husbands ideal meal, he wood love this!
Wow these look delicious, I will make this recipe this week!
These look amazing, will have to try these with the kids as they will love making them
Slow cooker meat balls are so good! My aunt makes them for our family Christmas party every year and they don’t last long. 😀 Now, I really want some slow cooker meatballs with garlic knots!
What a good idea! I’ve only ever made mine in the oven – these look so good!
I love the idea of making meatballs in the slow cooker. Great tip on broiling them first too 🙂 Def something I’m going to try!
oh my… this made my mouth water 😻 I normally just buy store made meatballs but i think i’ll have to try this recipe for myself
This looks so yummy. I’m currently doing my food planning, guess what’s missing is these Slow Cooker Meatballs. Since I’ll be home throughout this month, its the best time to way healthy meals. Thanks for sharing.
So. Much. YES! I am so making up a huge batch of spaghetti and meatballs this weekend. That looks so good!