Description
These Slow Cooker Meatballs are a hearty and flavorful dish made from a blend of ground beef and pork, seasoned with Italian herbs and spices, and simmered in a rich tomato sauce. Perfectly tender and juicy, they are slow-cooked to perfection for an easy, hands-off meal that pairs beautifully with pasta or fresh basil.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound ground pork
- 1/2 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
- 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese (plus 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
Tomato Sauce
- 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
To Serve (Optional)
- Fresh basil
- Cooked pasta
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce: Add all the sauce ingredients—crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, sugar, oregano, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and red pepper flakes—to your slow cooker. Stir thoroughly to combine the flavors evenly.
- Mix and form meatballs: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, Italian seasoned breadcrumbs, grated parmesan cheese, egg, fresh parsley, minced garlic, salt, onion powder, and pepper. Use your hands to gently mix everything until just combined. Form about 20 meatballs, each approximately 2 inches in diameter, taking care not to over-mix or pack them tightly to keep them tender.
- Place meatballs in slow cooker: Carefully place the formed meatballs into the slow cooker on top of the sauce. It’s okay if they overlap slightly. Gently spoon some sauce over the meatballs to ensure they are well-coated and partially submerged.
- Cook the meatballs: Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours. The meatballs are done when they reach an internal temperature of at least 160°F (71°C) and are tender throughout.
- Serve: Serve the meatballs hot with cooked pasta or your preferred side. Garnish with fresh basil and grated parmesan cheese if desired. Adjust seasoning by adding more salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
- Do not over-mix the meat mixture; overworking can result in tough meatballs.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure meatballs reach a safe internal temperature of 160°F.
- Feel free to customize the seasoning to your preference, adding more or less of the herbs and spices.
- You can prepare the meatballs ahead of time and refrigerate overnight before cooking.
- Serving options include spaghetti, zucchini noodles, or even a sub sandwich with the meatballs for variety.
