Slow simmered to perfection! These tender and delicious slow-cooker Italian meatballs in a flavorful marinara sauce are as easy as they are tasty! But the real magic of this recipe is the convenience – they make for the perfect busy-weeknight dinner solution!
Meatballs in the Slow-Cooker?
That’s right! Slow-cooker Italian meatballs are always a perfect solution for a gathering because of their ease of serving. They remain hot and ready to eat the whole time and guests love them! Matt (my husband) has long been a fan of crockpot meatballs (and little smokies, but that’s for another day), so we don’t wait for a party to make ’em around here!
Meatballs in the slow cooker are more than just a convenient hosting and weeknight dinner solution. They are, in my experience, much more flavor-filled! Something about simmering in the sauce and their own delicious juices for so long really cranks up the flavor!
An Easy Dinner Solution
If you’ve been around here any amount of time, you already know how much I value convenience. A busy mom of a one and two year old, I sure as heck don’t have the time to stand stationary over the stove for over 30 minutes at dinner time! In fact, I do my best to keep the actual “dinner time” prep to 5 minutes (and doable with only one hand). And, as always, this recipe certainly checks that box!
What makes the slow-cooker meatballs such an ideal dinner solution?
There are many reasons these slow cooker meatballs make for a perfect dinner solution. Here are a few:
- No pre-cooking the meatballs required! Further adding to the simplicity factor, there is no need to cook the meatballs or ground beef prior to placing them in the crockpot!
- Ready to serve whenever you are! You won’t be bound to any specific “dinner time” with these! Throw the meatballs in the crockpot earlier in the day and you can eat them whenever you can wrangle your family around the table – nothing “getting cold” here!
- So versatile! Eat them on their own, atop a bed of noodles for a simple spaghetti and meatballs, or on a bun as a meatball sub! There are so many ways to enjoy them!
- A recipe the entire family will love! A familiar and comfortable favorite, these are sure to please even the pickiest eaters!
A Variety of Serving Options
Probably my favorite this about this recipe is the ease of serving it! Double the recipe and you’ll have leftovers (maybe) that you can enjoy in a variety of ways for day! Here are a few of the ways you can serve these delicious Italian meatballs:
- Over spaghetti noodles (no need for extra sauce – the meatballs have plenty)!
- Meatball Sub (somewhere Joey Tribbiani just turned his head)
- In a Zucchini Boat (try out my simple Zucchini boat recipe and sub these meatballs for the filling)!
- In a shredded spaghetti squash (healthier alternative to traditional spaghetti)
- On their own with a side of garlic bread (or anything you fancy)!
Looking for more Italian Inspired Dinner Recipes?
I’ve rounded up a few of my favorites below!
- Italian Sausage Zucchini Boats
- Garlic Parmesan Baked Eggplant
- Slow-Cooker Mac & Cheese
- French Onion Soup
Along with these favorites are many other slow-cooker and convenient family friendly recipes under my “recipes tab”! I hope you’ll give this one a try! And if you do, don’t forget to share it with me and tag me on instagram (@kelsiebrownblog)!
Slow-Cooker Italian Meatballs
Slow Cooker Italian Meatballs
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb ground pork sausage (can sub ground beef)
- 1 can Marinara Sauce (your favorite type/flavor)
- 1-2 slices slices sourdough bread (sub 2/3 C breadcrumbs)
- 2 eggs
- 3/4 C shredded mozzarella
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 Tbsp Basil finely chopped
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- to taste salt & pepper
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients (besides marinara sauce) in a mixing bowl. Use your hands to sift and crumble the slices of sourdough into the bowl (so that they resemble breadcrumbs). Use an electric or hand mixer to incorporate ingredients thoroughly.
- Pour 1 cup (about half a jar) of your favorite marinara sauce in the bottom of the crockpot.
- Roll meatball mixture into 1.5" balls by hand and place them in a hot skillet with a bit of melted butter or oil. Brown meatballs lightly over meadium heat on all sides.
- Pour half of the can of sauce in the bottom of the crockpot. Once you fill the bottom of the pot, you can layer the meatballs on top of each other. Pour the remainder of the jar over the top of the meatballs in the crockpot.
- Place the lid over the top and set to low. Cook for 4-5 hours (maybe even ready in as little as 3 hours) and turn to warm when cooked until you're ready to serve!
- Top with extra parmesan or mozzarella and fresh basil! Serve on their own, over spaghetti, in a sub, zucchini boats, or more! Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
With Love,
Kelsie
