Here’s a simple and tasty Crockpot Meatballs recipe—perfect for a hands-off meal that’s great for dinner, party appetizers, or meal prep.
Ingredients (serves 4–6)
For the meatballs:
- 1 lb ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (optional)
For the sauce:
- 2 cups marinara sauce (or your favorite pasta sauce)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (optional for depth)
Instructions
1. Make the meatballs:
- In a bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, milk, egg, garlic, salt, pepper, and herbs.
- Mix gently until just combined.
- Form into 1–1.5 inch meatballs.
2. Prepare the crockpot:
- Pour 1/2 cup of the sauce into the bottom of the crockpot.
- Place meatballs on top and pour remaining sauce over them.
3. Cook:
- Cover and cook on low for 6–7 hours or high for 3–4 hours, until meatballs are cooked through.
4. Serve:
- Serve over spaghetti, rice, or in a sub sandwich.
- Garnish with extra Parmesan or fresh parsley.
💡 Tips:
- For firmer meatballs, brown them in a skillet for a few minutes before adding to the crockpot.
- You can also use frozen meatballs directly—just increase cooking time slightly.
- Swap marinara for BBQ sauce or Swedish cream sauce for different flavor variations.
If you want, I can also give you a quick 1-hour crockpot meatball recipe that’s ready faster but still tender and flavorful.
