Slow Cooker Italian Meatballs

5 from 1 vote

Slow Cooker Italian Meatballs

These are the best Italian homemade meatballs made easily in your slow cooker! Everybody needs a go-to meatballs recipe, and these crockpot meatballs can't be beat. They're incredibly tender and full of savory herbs and parmesan cheese.

Prep Time10

Cook Time6

Total Time6 10

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American, Italian

Diet: Low Fat, Low Lactose

Keyword: crockpot italian meatballs, crockpot meatballs, slow cooker beef meatballs, slow cooker homemade meatballs

Servings:

Calories: 98kcal

Author: Kristina Tipps

Equipment

slow cooker

Ingredients

For the Meatballs

1 lb ground beef
½ cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
¼ cup milk
1 large egg
1 teaspoon dried parsley
½ teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon dried thyme

For the Sauce

1 ½ cup onions diced
10 cloves garlic minced
2 cans tomato sauce 28 ounce each
2 cans crushed tomatoes 28 ounce each
2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon basil
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon parsley
1 /2 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

Add all ingredients for the sauce to the slow cooker. Stir well. Set to low for 6 hours or high for 4 hours.
Combine all ingredients for the meatballs and mix well. Roll meatballs into 1 to 2 inch balls, depending on size preference. Gently drop meatballs into the sauce halfway through cooking time.
When cook time is up, check that the internal temperature of the meatballs has reached 165℉. If not, continue to cook in 30 minute increments. If it has, stop cooking and serve sauce and meatballs over spaghetti.

Notes

Storing: Store meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days or in the freezer for up to 6 months. Store extra spaghetti sauce separetly for the same duration of time.

Tip 1: My favorite way to make breadcrumbs for meatballs is to grind seasoned croutons until they become fine breadcrumbs. They add so much flavor!

Tip 2: This recipe makes a lot of sauce so you can use it for pasta to go with your meatballs. You can cut the sauce in half too, or freeze the extra for use later on.

Nutrition