Easy Slow Cooker Meatballs

Background and History

Meatballs are a beloved dish found in cuisines all around the world, with variations ranging from Italian to Swedish to Middle Eastern. These versatile and flavorful morsels of ground meat are often served as appetizers, atop pasta, or in sandwiches. Cooking meatballs in a slow cooker offers a convenient and hands-off method, allowing the flavors to meld together while ensuring tender, juicy meatballs every time.

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef (or a combination of beef and pork)

1/2 cup breadcrumbs

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 egg

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon dried basil

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 (24-ounce) jar marinara sauce

Optional: chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Serves

4-6

Preparation Time

15 minutes

Cooking Time

4-6 hours on low heat

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.

Shape the mixture into meatballs, approximately 1-1.5 inches in diameter.

Pour half of the marinara sauce into the bottom of the slow cooker.

Place the meatballs in a single layer on top of the sauce.

Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the meatballs, ensuring they are completely covered.

Cover and cook on low heat for 4-6 hours, or until the meatballs are cooked through.

Once cooked, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the meatballs for garnish, if desired.

Serve the meatballs hot as an appetizer, over pasta, or in sandwiches.

Nutrition Facts

(Per Serving)

Calories: 250 kcal

Total Fat: 15g

Cholesterol: 80mg

Sodium: 600mg

Total Carbohydrates: 10g

Protein: 20g

Notes

For a shortcut, you can use store-bought frozen meatballs instead of making them from scratch.

Feel free to customize the seasoning and sauce according to your taste preferences.

Leftover meatballs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days or frozen for longer storage.

Allergy Warning

Check the ingredients of the breadcrumbs and marinara sauce for allergens such as gluten or soy, depending on your dietary restrictions.

Be mindful of any allergies to ingredients such as garlic or cheese.