Crockpot Meatballs Recipe: Tender and Savory

Introduction

Crockpot Meatballs are a tender, savory dish, perfect as an appetizer or main course for parties, family dinners, or game days. This easy recipe, featuring juicy meatballs simmered in a rich tomato sauce, delivers bold, comforting flavors with minimal effort. Presented in a white ceramic serving dish or bowl, optionally garnished with chopped parsley or grated Parmesan, this Crockpot Meatballs recipe offers a warm, inviting aesthetic that elevates any spread. This recipe provides a simple slow-cooker method with accessible ingredients, adaptable for dietary preferences, ideal for home cooks seeking a crowd-pleasing dish that brings hearty, cozy charm to any occasion.

Ingredients

For the Meatballs:

• 1 lb ground beef (80/20 for best flavor)
• 1/2 lb ground pork
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup milk
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

For the Tomato Sauce:

• 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Serving:

• Optional: Chopped parsley, grated Parmesan
• Suggested Accompaniments: Spaghetti, garlic bread, mashed potatoes
• Suggested Pairings: Red wine, sparkling water
• Suggested Aesthetic: Serve in a white ceramic serving dish or bowl
• Suggested Equipment: Slow cooker (4–6 quart), mixing bowls, measuring cups/spoons, baking sheet (optional for browning)

Step-by-Step Process

1. Make Meatballs: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, milk, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined; avoid overmixing. Form into 24–32 meatballs (about 1.5 inches each).
2. Optional Browning: For extra flavor, heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and brown meatballs in batches (2–3 minutes per side). Alternatively, place raw meatballs directly in the slow cooker.
3. Prepare Sauce: In the slow cooker, combine crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, basil, oregano, garlic powder, sugar (if using), red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Stir to blend. Taste a small spoonful and adjust with more salt, sugar, or spices for a balanced, savory flavor.
4. Cook: Add meatballs to the sauce, ensuring they’re submerged. Cover and cook on low for 6–8 hours or high for 3–4 hours, until meatballs are cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F).
5. Serve: Transfer meatballs and sauce to a white ceramic serving dish or bowl. Optionally garnish with chopped parsley or grated Parmesan. Serve hot with spaghetti, garlic bread, or mashed potatoes, paired with red wine or sparkling water.

Tips for Better Crockpot Meatballs

• Mix meatball ingredients gently to keep them tender; overmixing can make them tough.
• Taste and adjust the sauce seasoning before serving to balance tangy, savory, and spicy flavors.
• Brown meatballs for a richer flavor, but skipping this step still yields delicious results.
• Use a slow cooker liner for easy cleanup.
• Present in a white ceramic serving dish or bowl to highlight the rich sauce and garnishes.
• Make ahead: Form meatballs and refrigerate up to 1 day before cooking; sauce can be prepped in advance.
• Use a meat thermometer to ensure the meatballs are fully cooked.
• Enhance aesthetic: Garnish with parsley or Parmesan for a vibrant, savory pop.

Variations and Customization

• Gluten-Free Crockpot Meatballs: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs; confirm tomato products are gluten-free.
• Low-Sodium Crockpot Meatballs: Reduce salt to 1/4 tsp in meatballs and sauce; use low-sodium tomato products.
• Vegetarian Crockpot Meatballs: Replace meat with plant-based ground meat or lentils; use vegetable broth in the sauce.
• Spicy Crockpot Meatballs: Increase red pepper flakes to 1 tsp or add 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper to the sauce.
• Cheesy Crockpot Meatballs: Stir 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella into the sauce 10 minutes before serving.
• BBQ Crockpot Meatballs: Replace tomato sauce with 2 cups BBQ sauce and omit basil, oregano, and red pepper flakes.
• Turkey Crockpot Meatballs: Use ground turkey instead of beef and pork for a leaner option.
• Herbed Crockpot Meatballs: Add 1 tbsp fresh chopped parsley or basil to the meatball mixture.

Storage and Serving Tips

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days; reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce.
• Freeze meatballs and sauce in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months; thaw in the fridge and reheat gently.
• Serve hot for the best tender texture and rich flavor.
• Use as an appetizer with toothpicks or a main dish with pasta or sides.
• Pair with red wine or sparkling water to complement the savory, tomatoey flavors.
• Present in a white ceramic serving dish or bowl with garnishes for a cozy, inviting charm.

Nutritional Information

Based on 8 servings (3–4 meatballs with sauce):

• Calories: 320 kcal
• Total Fat: 20g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Cholesterol: 85mg
• Sodium: 720mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 15g
• Dietary Fiber: 2g
• Sugars: 7g
• Protein: 20g
• Vitamin A: 15% Daily Value
• Vitamin C: 20% Daily Value
• Calcium: 10% Daily Value
• Iron: 15% Daily Value

Note: Values vary by ingredient brands and substitutions (low-sodium or vegetarian options reduce sodium or cholesterol). Moderate in calories; high in protein.

Conclusion

This Crockpot Meatballs recipe delivers a tender, savory dish perfect for parties or family dinners. It transforms simple ingredients into a comforting favorite. Its straightforward slow-cooker preparation and inviting presentation make it a go-to. The juicy meatballs and rich sauce delight with every bite. It’s sure to be a cherished recipe, loved for its hearty, crowd-pleasing charm.

Crockpot Meatballs Recipe: Tender and Savory

Crockpot Meatballs with a tender, savory taste.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 6 hours hrs

Total Time 6 hours hrs 20 minutes mins

Servings 8

Ingredients

  

• 1 lb ground beef
• ½ lb ground pork
• ½ cup breadcrumbs
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan
• 1 large egg
• ¼ cup milk
• 2 garlic cloves minced
• 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp kosher salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
• 1 15 oz can tomato sauce
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp sugar optional
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes optional
• Optional: Parsley Parmesan
• Suggested Pairings: Red wine spaghetti

Instructions

 

• Mix beef, pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, milk, garlic, seasoning, salt, and pepper; form 24–32 meatballs.
• Optionally, brown meatballs in a skillet.
• Combine tomatoes, sauce, paste, basil, oregano, garlic powder, sugar, flakes, salt, and pepper in a slow cooker; taste and adjust.
• Add meatballs; cook on low 6–8 hrs or high 3–4 hrs.
• Serve in a white ceramic dish with parsley.

Notes

• Brown for extra flavor.
• Store in the fridge for 4 days or freeze for 3 months.
• Try a gluten-free or spicy variation.
• Pair with garlic bread.