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4.9 from 96 votes

Slow Cooker Meatballs

Easy Crockpot meatballs, slow-cooked all day for a mouthwatering, home-cooked dinner ready when you are. Perfect with spaghetti, crusty bread, or piled high in a hero sandwich!

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
4 hrs
Total Time
4 hrs 15 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 200 kcal
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

  • 20 oz 93% lean ground turkey breast (or ground beef, if you prefer (1.3 lb))
  • 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup seasoned breadcrumbs (or gluten-free seasoned panko)
  • 4 cloves garlic (smashed)
  • 1/4 cup Parmigiano Reggiano cheese (grated)
  • 28 oz can crushed tomatoes (I love Tuttorosso (Green label))
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley (finely chopped)
  • 1 dry bay leaf
  • 1 large egg
  • kosher salt and fresh pepper to taste
  • 1 large clove garlic (minced)
  • 1/4 cup fresh chopped basil ( or parsley)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, parsley, garlic and cheese.
  2. Using clean hands, mix all the ingredients and form small meatballs, about 1/8th cup each.
  3. In a small saute pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and saute until golden, being careful not to burn.
  4. Pour crushed tomatoes into the crock pot with bay leaf. Add garlic and oil.
  5. Drop meatballs into the sauce, cover and set crock pot to low, 4 to 6 hours.
  6. When meatballs are ready, adjust salt and pepper to taste and add fresh chopped basil or parsley.
  7. Serve with ricotta, over pasta or enjoy with French bread.

Notes

  • It's best to carefully form the meatballs with gentle hands, if you pack them tight they will get tough while cooking. If you prefer to brown them, bake them in the oven first for 15 minutes at 350°F. Then add to the crock pot for 2 - 3 hours on low. If you want more sauce, add another can of crushed tomatoes.
  • The one step I wouldn't skip is browning the garlic in oil first, this is a must for best results. And of course, you all know I swear by Tuttorosso crushed tomatoes (green label), not all canned tomatoes are created equal.

Nutrition Information

Serving 4meatballs with sauce Calories 200kcal (10%) Carbohydrates 12.6g (4%) Protein 17.3g (35%) Fat 8g (12%) Saturated Fat 2.5g (13%) Cholesterol 84.1mg (28%) Sodium 427.5mg (18%) Fiber 0.5g (2%) Sugar 4.5g (9%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 200

% Daily Value*

Serving 4meatballs with sauce
Calories 200kcal 10%
Carbohydrates 12.6g 4%
Protein 17.3g 35%
Fat 8g 12%
Saturated Fat 2.5g 13%
Cholesterol 84.1mg 28%
Sodium 427.5mg 18%
Fiber 0.5g 2%
Sugar 4.5g 9%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.