Description
These Slow Cooker Meatballs are a comforting and flavorful dish perfect for an easy, hands-off meal. Made with a blend of ground beef and pork, seasoned with Italian herbs, and simmered in a rich tomato sauce, these tender meatballs are ideal served over pasta or enjoyed on their own with fresh basil garnish.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatball Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound ground pork
- 1/2 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
- 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese (+ more for serving)
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Pepper, to taste
Sauce Ingredients
- 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1/2 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Optional for Serving
- Fresh basil
- Cooked pasta
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce: Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, sugar, dried oregano, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and crushed red pepper flakes to your slow cooker. Stir thoroughly to combine all the sauce ingredients well.
- Make the meatballs: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, Italian seasoned breadcrumbs, grated parmesan cheese, egg, chopped parsley, minced garlic, salt, onion powder, and pepper. Using your hands, mix gently until just combined, taking care not to over-mix or pack the meat too tightly. Form the mixture into about 20 meatballs, each about 2 inches in diameter.
- Cook the meatballs: Carefully place the meatballs into the slow cooker with the sauce. It’s okay if some meatballs overlap. Spoon some sauce over the top to ensure meatballs are well covered. Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours, until the meatballs reach an internal temperature of at least 160°F.
- Serve: Serve the meatballs hot with cooked pasta or as desired. Garnish with fresh basil and additional parmesan cheese if desired. Adjust seasoning with extra salt and pepper to taste before serving.
Notes
- Do not over-mix the meatball mixture to keep meatballs tender and juicy.
- The cooking time can be adjusted based on your slow cooker temperature settings.
- Internal temperature of meatballs should reach at least 160°F to ensure they are cooked safely.
- Optional fresh basil and extra parmesan cheese enhance flavor when serving.
