Slow Cooker Meatballs and Marinara Sauce
April 11, 2014
I love meatballs, possibly too much really. Meatball subs are my favorite, though I can just eat the meatball whenever. With pasta, without, on a roll, without a roll. Right out of the pan…..
They are so good I can’t help it.
Ingredients
1/2 cup plain bread crumbs ( I made these with GF crumbs)
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
2 garlic gloves minced
2 eggs
1/4 cup skim milk
1 lb lean ground beef
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 small onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
28 oz can crushed tomatoes
8 oz can tomato sauce
6 oz can tomato paste
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon salt
* pinch of sugar. I don’t always add this, but when I taste the sauce and something is off, usually the sugar makes it perfect!
Directions
In a large bowl, combine the bread crumbs, Parmesan, a tablespoon of the Italian seasoning, minced garlic, eggs , milk then stir until well combined.
Next add the ground beef mix together with a spoon or your hands until thoroughly combined. Separate the meat mixture into 16 even pieces and roll each into a ball.
In a medium skillet you want to brown the meatballs on all sides, just so they keep their form, so only for a minute on each side. Transfer to your slow cooker. In the same skillet heat oil over medium heat.
Add the diced onion and cook until the onions are golden brown. Add the other 2 garlic cloves which you minced and cook for another two minutes.
Transfer this mixture into a large bowl. Add in the remaining ingredients and stir. Pour this sauce over the meatballs in the slow cooker. Cook for about 8 hours on low.
Serve with cooked pasta or can be used for making a meatball sub.
Enjoy!
31 Comments
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Melanie
You can cook on higher heat yes.
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Michele
Hi! How do you think this would work with ground turkey rather than ground beef? This looks delicious 🙂
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Pauline Freedman
This recipe looks awesome but my daughter has an egg allergy. Would this work without eggs?
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Melanie
Yes! Instead of the egg you can use pasta sauce, the eggs is a binder for the meat, if totally skipped 9 no red sauce in the eggs place) use less bread crumbs, it gives extra moisture and keeps it together, but will work without.
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Barb
Can you please let me know what size slow cooker this would suit.
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Melanie
I used a large 7-8q quart slow cooker. Sorry forgot how big it was, hope that helps!
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Jen St. Clair
Can you make these the night before and then cook the next day?
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Melanie
You could if you wanted, yes!
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Anonymous
what brand of gf crumbs do you use?
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Annemarie Leblanc
These look delish – I love cooking with my slow cooker. I am so glad you shared the recipe!
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Ashley Gill
These look delicious. We are BIG FANS of meatballs in this house. I think I'll try out this recipe!
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Ave T
I love meat balls too! And my daughter can eat a lot of them. Thanks for sharing a delicious recipe! Sure vill try this out.
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Onica MommyFactor
I usually make meatballs with something versus by themselves. I'll add to this my recipes to try file. Looks yummy.
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Pam
I love slow cooker meatballs and love trying new recipes for them. These are a big hit at family get togethers and I will try this recipe at our next one.
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Lawna Noe
This sounds fabulous. I would substitute the beef for turkey, but I bet it would still turn out super yummy.
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Jennifer Williams
I can not wait to try this, I have tried so many different sauces for meatballs and have yet to find one my entire house agrees on. Hopefully this will make everyone happy.
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Le-an Lai Lacaba
Gosh, they look so awesome to devour. I made meatballs last night, but it was fried ones. I'd love to make this one!
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Pam
We rarely make meatballs, but my family loves them as a treat. I will have to try this recipe next time!
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Amberlee
I will have to try this recipe out, it sounds amazing! We are a big pasta family, but I never have time to make home-made meatballs. This sounds perfect, thanks!
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Amanda Love
I've actually never made meatballs but would love to give this one a try. I got a slow cooker at Christmas and I still have yet to make delicious food like the ones you do.
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Masshole Mommy
Your recipe is very similar to the one I use, except I use whole milk instead of skim 🙂
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Tough Cookie Mommy
I love being able to use the slow cooker to make hearty meatballs like these. They will go great with all my pasta dishes.
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JT and Amanda
I love meatballs but I've never thought about making them in the slow cooker. Thanks for sharing your recipe and how you make them. I think I am going to put this in my meal plan for next week!
Laura
Can you cook on high and cut the time in 1/2?