Slow Cooker Meatballs
User Reviews
4.9
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Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
4 hrs 10 mins
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Total Time
4 hrs 25 mins
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Servings
6
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Calories
364 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Italian
Slow Cooker Meatballs
Description
This recipe prepares meatballs combining lean ground beef with Italian-style breadcrumbs, fresh parsley, minced garlic and onion, egg, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. The meat mixture is shaped into small balls, then broiled until browned to develop a flavorful crust. After broiling, the meatballs are transferred to a slow cooker with three types of tomato-based sauces—marinara, crushed tomatoes, and tomato sauce—creating a robust, tangy base.
Slow cooking the meatballs in the tomato sauce on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours allows them to become tender and absorb the flavors of the sauce. The result is a hearty dish with tender meatballs coated in a thick, savory tomato sauce enriched with herbs and garlic.
This dish can be served with pasta, polenta, or crusty bread to soak up the sauce. Garnishing with additional parsley and parmesan adds fresh color and a bit more layered flavor to the finished plate.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef I use 90% lean
- 3/4 cup breadcrumbs Italian style
- 1/4 cup parsley plus more for serving, chopped, fresh
- 1 teaspoon garlic minced
- 1/2 cup onion minced
- 1 egg
- 1/3 cup Parmesan Cheese plus more for serving, grated
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black 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.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 364 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 364kcal | 18% |
| Carbohydrates | 27g | 9% |
| Protein | 31g | 62% |
| Fat | 15g | 23% |
| Saturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Cholesterol | 106mg | 35% |
| Sodium | 622mg | 26% |
| Potassium | 1309mg | 28% |
| Fiber | 5g | 20% |
| Sugar | 12g | 24% |
| Vitamin A | 1160IU | 23% |
| Vitamin C | 21.6mg | 24% |
| Calcium | 159mg | 16% |
| Iron | 6.5mg | 36% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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