Slow Cooker Juicy Meatballs (Printable)

Tender meatballs cooked slowly in rich tomato sauce for warm, flavorful servings.

# What You'll Need:

→ For the Meatballs

01 - 2 lbs ground beef (80/20 blend)
02 - 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
03 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
04 - 2 large eggs
05 - 1/3 cup whole milk
06 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
08 - 1 tsp dried oregano
09 - 1 tsp salt
10 - 1/2 tsp black pepper

→ For the Sauce

11 - 2 cans (28 oz each) crushed tomatoes
12 - 1 small onion, finely diced
13 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
14 - 1 tbsp olive oil
15 - 2 tsp dried Italian herbs blend
16 - 1 tsp sugar
17 - Salt and black pepper to taste

# Directions:

01 - In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, eggs, milk, garlic, parsley, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined—do not overmix.
02 - Shape the mixture into golf ball-sized meatballs approximately 1.5 inches in diameter, creating around 30-32 meatballs.
03 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with a splash of oil. Sear the meatballs in batches until browned on all sides, about 3 minutes per batch. Transfer to a plate. Skip this step for softer meatballs.
04 - In the bottom of your slow cooker, add olive oil, onion, and tomato paste. Stir to combine. Pour in crushed tomatoes, Italian herbs, and sugar. Season with salt and pepper.
05 - Gently nestle the meatballs into the sauce in a single layer. Spoon a little sauce over the tops to cover.
06 - Cover and cook on LOW for 4-5 hours, until meatballs are cooked through and tender.
07 - Serve warm directly from the slow cooker with toothpicks for appetizers or over cooked pasta for a main dish.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Effortless preparation—just 20 minutes of hands-on time, then let the slow cooker do the work
  • Perfect for entertaining—keeps meatballs warm and delicious all night long
  • Incredibly versatile—serve as appetizers or over pasta for a complete meal
  • Rich, flavorful sauce that develops deep, satisfying taste during the slow cooking process
  • Easy to customize with ground pork or turkey for different flavor profiles
02 -
  • Don't overmix the meat mixture—this is the key to tender, not tough, meatballs
  • Use an ice cream scoop or cookie scoop to ensure uniform meatball size for even cooking
  • If your slow cooker tends to run hot, check the meatballs at 4 hours to avoid overcooking
  • The optional sugar in the sauce helps balance the acidity of the tomatoes—taste and adjust
  • Always use fresh garlic rather than pre-minced for the best flavor impact
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months
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