05/03/2026
🍽️ Easy Slow Cooker Meatballs Recipe
⏱️ Prep: 15 min | Cook: 360 min | Servings: 6
Hey everyone! You know those days when you just want a hearty, delicious meal but don't want to spend all afternoon slaving away in the kitchen? Yeah, me too! That's exactly why I adore this slow cooker meatballs recipe. It's truly "set it and forget it" simple, and the house smells amazing all day long. My family absolutely devours these, whether it's over pasta or in a big sub roll. So easy, so much flavor! 🍝
📝 Ingredients:
The Hearty Meatballs
- 1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef (85/15 or 90/10)
- 1/2 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup milk (any fat percentage)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
The Savory Simmer Sauce
- 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
- 1/2 cup beef broth (low sodium)
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp light brown sugar
Aromatic Enhancers
- 1/2 cup finely diced yellow onion
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp salt, or to taste
- 1/2 tsp black pepper, or to taste
Finishing Touches
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
👩🍳 How to make it:
1. In a large bowl, gently combine the ground beef, Panko breadcrumbs, egg, milk, and grated Parmesan cheese. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix, as this can make the meatballs tough.
2. Roll the mixture into approximately 1 1/2 inch meatballs. You should get about 18-20 meatballs.
3. In a skillet, heat a touch of olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely diced yellow onion and cook for 3-5 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Transfer the sautéed aromatics to your slow cooker.
4. Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, light brown sugar, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper to the slow cooker. Stir everything well to combine with the aromatics.
5. Gently place the shaped meatballs into the sauce in the slow cooker. Make sure they are mostly submerged.
6. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours, until the meatballs are cooked through and tender, and the sauce is bubbly.
7. Once cooked, garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve hot.
💡 Tips:
For extra flavor, you can quickly brown the meatballs in a skillet before adding them to the slow cooker, but it's not necessary for this easy recipe.
Store leftover meatballs and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
Feel free to substitute ground turkey or a mix of ground beef and pork for the ground beef. Adjust cooking time slightly if using leaner meats.
Serve these versatile meatballs over spaghetti, with mashed potatoes, or on toasted hoagie rolls for delicious meatball subs.
Nutrition: Calories: 423 kcal | Protein: 36 g
Enjoy, friends! 😊