Slow Cooker Juicy Meatballs (Print Version)

Flavorful meatballs slowly simmered in a rich tomato sauce, perfect for easy entertaining and staying warm all night.

# 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

# How to Make It:

01 - In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, eggs, milk, garlic, parsley, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined without overmixing.
02 - Form the mixture into golf ball-sized meatballs approximately 1.5 inches in diameter, yielding about 30-32 meatballs.
03 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with oil. Sear meatballs in batches until browned on all sides, approximately 3 minutes per batch. Transfer to a plate. Skip this step for softer meatballs.
04 - In the slow cooker bottom, add olive oil, diced onion, and tomato paste. Stir to combine. Pour in crushed tomatoes, Italian herbs, and sugar. Season with salt and pepper.
05 - Gently nestle meatballs into the sauce in a single layer. Spoon 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 Advice:

01 -
  • Effortless entertaining: Set the slow cooker and let it work while you prepare for guests
  • Stays warm for hours, making it ideal for parties and buffets
  • Versatile serving options: Enjoy as appetizers with toothpicks or as a hearty main dish over pasta
  • Rich, homemade flavor without the fuss of constant monitoring
  • Feeds a crowd with about 32 tender, flavorful meatballs
02 -
  • Use an 80/20 beef blend for the perfect balance of flavor and juiciness
  • Wet your hands slightly when rolling meatballs to prevent sticking
  • A 6-quart slow cooker is ideal for this recipe to accommodate all the meatballs comfortably
  • The optional teaspoon of sugar balances the acidity of the tomatoes beautifully
  • Leftovers freeze wonderfully—portion into containers and freeze for up to 3 months
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