With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep time, these crockpot meatballs are the perfect option for a tasty meal. Slow cooking makes the meatballs moist and flavorful.
This is one of my family’s favorite meals. I serve them over pasta or in soft buns with melted provel cheese. They are also delicious with pasta and potatoes.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
See the complete list of ingredients below on the recipe card.
- Meat: I use a mixture of beef and Italian pork sausage. You can use all of one or the other if desired.
- Breadcrumbs: I like Panko, but you can use regular, Italian, or homemade breadcrumbs.
- Parmesan cheese: freshly grated is best.
- Marinara: use your favorite brand. I like Rao’s and Kirkland Organic Marinara
How to Make Crock Pot Meatballs
This is the summary version; see the recipe card below for the complete list of ingredients and the instructions.
Combine the ground beef, Italian sausage, breadcrumbs, onion, garlic, eggs, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and black pepper in a large bowl. Gently mix it with your clean hands or a spoon.
Using a 1 ½ tablespoon scoop, scoop the mixture and shape it into meatballs. Place the meatballs on a parchment-covered baking sheet. Bake until golden brown. Transfer the warm meatballs to a crock pot. Pour the marinara and crushed tomatoes over the meatballs.
Cover and cook on high for 2 1/2 hours or until tender and cooked through. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley and freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Preparation Tips and Storage
- Mix the meat mixture with a gentle hand and only until it is combined. Overmixing will make the meatballs dense and dry.
- Use a cookie scoop to help with uniform size, but roll the meatballs in your hands so they are round on all sides.
- Rolling meatballs is easy with plastic gloves. If the meat sticks to your gloves, moisten them with cold water and roll them again.
- Prebaking the meatballs makes for a better texture and less fat in the sauce.
- Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat in the microwave at reduced power or on the stovetop over low heat.
What to Serve With Crock Pot Meatballs
- Pasta: spaghetti, linguine, angel hair pasta with garlic and Parmesan cheese, garlic pasta, or egg noodles.
- Potatoes: garlic mashed potatoes, air-fried potato wedges, honey mustard potato salad, sweet potato French fries, and roasted potatoes
- Rice: brown, basmati, jasmine, cilantro lime rice, Spanish rice, or rice pilaf
- Vegetables: sauteed asparagus, oven-roasted corn, or loaded cauliflower casserole
More Slow-Cooker Recipes
Crock Pot Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb ground Italian sausage
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 1 small yellow onion finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 28 ounces marinara sauce
- 1 (15-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Parmesan cheese optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cover a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Combine the ground beef, Italian sausage, breadcrumbs, onion, garlic, eggs, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and black pepper in a large bowl. Gently mix it with your clean hands or a spoon.
- Using a 1 ½ tablespoon-scoop the mixture and shape it into meatballs using your clean hands. Place the meatballs on the baking sheet with a little space between them. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.
- Transfer the warm meatballs to a crock pot. Pour the marinara and crushed tomatoes over the meatballs.
- Cover and cook on high for 2 ½ hours or until tender and cooked through. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley and freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- Mix the meat mixture with a gentle hand and only until it is combined. Overmixing will make the meatballs dense and dry.
- Use a cookie scoop to help with uniform size, but roll the meatballs in your hands so they are round on all sides.
- Rolling meatballs is easy with plastic gloves. If the meat sticks to your gloves moisten the gloves with cold water and roll again.
- Prebaking the meatballs makes for a better texture and less fat in the sauce.
- Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat in the microwave at reduced power.
Linda Renshaw
Can’t wait to make these. Sounds yummy. If I were to freeze half of this recipe should I freeze meatballs with or without the sauce.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, I hope you enjoy it! Freeze them with the sauce.
Tisha
The blend of savory ingredients and ease of preparation makes it an excellent choice for both busy weeknights and casual gatherings. Thanks for the great recipe, Beth!
Michelle
These crockpot meatballs were delicious and pretty easy to put together. I work from home so I got everything in the slow cooker over my lunch break and the house smelled amazing by the time everyone got home! Served over pasta with garlic bread.
Beth Pierce
That is awesome I am so glad that everyone liked them!
Lynndee
I haven’t tried using my crock pot in preparing meatballs. I do love using my crock pot so I’m going to save your recipe and try it sometime. Looks delish!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Lynndee! Enjoy!
Lavanda Michelle
I love that I can throw it in the slow cooker for a stress-free dinner.
Jen
I love these meatballs! I add it them to pasta or orzo. Thanks for the great recipe.
Beth Pierce
My pleasure, Jen!
Ella
Yum! These crockpot meatballs were so good 😋 and the recipe was easy to follow as well! It’s a keeper!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Ella!
Susan M.
These crockpot meatballs are amazing! Perfect for an easy, delicious family meal.
Ella English
I tried making these meat balls and they turned out really juicy and flavorful. I had some over a big plate of spaghetti and sauce and the next day I had them in a meatball sub. Chefs Kiss!
Beth Pierce
Thank you Ella! I am so glad that you liked it.
Beth
These are delicious. They came out perfectly, and they were so easy to make. I made sandwiches with them.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Beth! So happy that you liked them!
karen
Yes to crockpot anything tbh…I love mine and use it weekly in Winter….I can’t wait to make your meatballs recipe, it looks delicious.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Karen! Enjoy!
Krystle Smith
The fact that they’re easy to prepare with minimal ingredients makes this recipe even more appealing for busy families looking for a tasty, crowd-pleasing meal.