Slow Cooker Meatballs
User Reviews
4.9
Slow Cooker Meatballs
Description
These Slow Cooker Meatballs blend ground turkey breast with seasoned breadcrumbs, Parmigiano Reggiano, fresh parsley, egg, and garlic to form small meatballs. To build flavor, garlic is first sautéed in olive oil, then crushed tomatoes and a bay leaf are added to the slow cooker. Meatballs are nestled into the sauce and cooked on low for several hours until tender without becoming dense or tough. The final addition of fresh basil or parsley brightens the sauce.The slow cooking method and careful handling of the meatballs prevent toughness, resulting in juicy meatballs in a savory, rich tomato sauce. They can be enjoyed with pasta, dollops of ricotta, or crusty French bread.
Ingredients
- 20 oz ground turkey breast or ground beef, if you prefer (1.3 lb, 93% lean
- 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 parsley finely chopped, fresh
- 1 dry bay leaf
- 1 large egg
- kosher salt fresh, to taste
- black pepper fresh, to taste
- 1 large garlic minced, clove
- 1/4 cup basil or parsley, fresh, chopped
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, parsley, garlic and cheese.
- Using clean hands, mix all the ingredients and form small meatballs, about 1/8th cup each.
- In a small saute pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and saute until golden, being careful not to burn.
- Pour crushed tomatoes into the crock pot with bay leaf. Add garlic and oil.
- Drop meatballs into the sauce, cover and set crock pot to low, 4 to 6 hours.
- When meatballs are ready, adjust salt and pepper to taste and add fresh chopped basil or parsley.
- Serve with ricotta, over pasta or enjoy with French bread.
Notes
- Gently form meatballs to avoid toughness; avoid packing tightly.
- To brown meatballs before slow cooking, bake in a 350°F oven for 15 minutes, then cook in the crock pot for 2-3 hours on low.
- Browning the garlic in oil before adding to sauce is essential for optimal flavor.
- For a saucier dish, add an extra can of crushed tomatoes.
- Tuttorosso crushed tomatoes (green label) are recommended for best results.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 200 kcal
% 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.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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