With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep time, these crockpot meatballs are the perfect option for a tasty meal. Slow cooking makes the meatballs moist and flavorful.
This is one of my family’s favorite meals. I serve them over pasta or in soft buns with melted provel cheese. They are also delicious with pasta and potatoes.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
See the complete list of ingredients below on the recipe card.
- Meat: I use a mixture of beef and Italian pork sausage. You can use all of one or the other if desired.
- Breadcrumbs: I like Panko, but you can use regular, Italian, or homemade breadcrumbs.
- Parmesan cheese: freshly grated is best.
- Marinara: use your favorite brand. I like Rao’s and Kirkland Organic Marinara
How to Make Crock Pot Meatballs
This is the summary version; see the recipe card below for the complete list of ingredients and the instructions.
Combine the ground beef, Italian sausage, breadcrumbs, onion, garlic, eggs, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and black pepper in a large bowl. Gently mix it with your clean hands or a spoon.
Using a 1 ½ tablespoon scoop, scoop the mixture and shape it into meatballs. Place the meatballs on a parchment-covered baking sheet. Bake until golden brown. Transfer the warm meatballs to a crock pot. Pour the marinara and crushed tomatoes over the meatballs.
Cover and cook on high for 2 1/2 hours or until tender and cooked through. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley and freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Preparation Tips and Storage
- Mix the meat mixture with a gentle hand and only until it is combined. Overmixing will make the meatballs dense and dry.
- Use a cookie scoop to help with uniform size, but roll the meatballs in your hands so they are round on all sides.
- Rolling meatballs is easy with plastic gloves. If the meat sticks to your gloves, moisten them with cold water and roll them again.
- Prebaking the meatballs makes for a better texture and less fat in the sauce.
- Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat in the microwave at reduced power or on the stovetop over low heat.
What to Serve With Crock Pot Meatballs
- Pasta: spaghetti, linguine, angel hair pasta with garlic and Parmesan cheese, garlic pasta, or egg noodles.
- Potatoes: garlic mashed potatoes, air-fried potato wedges, honey mustard potato salad, sweet potato French fries, and roasted potatoes
- Rice: brown, basmati, jasmine, cilantro lime rice, Spanish rice, or rice pilaf
- Vegetables: sauteed asparagus, oven-roasted corn, or loaded cauliflower casserole
More Slow-Cooker Recipes
Crock Pot Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb ground Italian sausage
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 1 small yellow onion finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 28 ounces marinara sauce
- 1 (15-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Parmesan cheese optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cover a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Combine the ground beef, Italian sausage, breadcrumbs, onion, garlic, eggs, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and black pepper in a large bowl. Gently mix it with your clean hands or a spoon.
- Using a 1 ½ tablespoon-scoop the mixture and shape it into meatballs using your clean hands. Place the meatballs on the baking sheet with a little space between them. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.
- Transfer the warm meatballs to a crock pot. Pour the marinara and crushed tomatoes over the meatballs.
- Cover and cook on high for 2 ½ hours or until tender and cooked through. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley and freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- Mix the meat mixture with a gentle hand and only until it is combined. Overmixing will make the meatballs dense and dry.
- Use a cookie scoop to help with uniform size, but roll the meatballs in your hands so they are round on all sides.
- Rolling meatballs is easy with plastic gloves. If the meat sticks to your gloves moisten the gloves with cold water and roll again.
- Prebaking the meatballs makes for a better texture and less fat in the sauce.
- Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat in the microwave at reduced power.
Jupiter
What a simple and easy way to make such a fun classic! Thank you for sharing your crock pot recipe.
Michelle
Slow cooking these meatballs makes them so juicy and delicious. I’ll definitely be making these again soon! Everyone loved them!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Michelle! I am so glad that they did
Karen
The crockpot meatballs recipe was delicious, love it and I will be doing it over and over again. Crockpot food is the best.
Beth Pierce
I agree, Karen!
Yvette
Loving these crock pot meatballs. My kids love meatballs so much and it is great to get the crock pot out and just let it do its thing. Thanks for a new family favorite.
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine, Yvette!
Maria
My nephew loves meatballs so much. I passed this recipe on my sister in law. All these ideas are very helpful to his mom for sure. Thank you, Beth.
Beth Pierce
My pleasure, Maria!
Claudia
This is so good! It’s so nice to get all that slow-cooked flavor without having to babysit a pot!
Beth Pierce
I agree 100%
Mahy
My only problem with this recipe is how to stop devouring all the awesome meatballs that I’ve made. They are so good! My family loved them!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Mahy! My family loves them too!
Cara
The combo of beef and sausage gives these meatballs so much flavor! Very easy to make and so delicious.
Catherine
These meatballs were so easy to make and packed with flavor! The slow cooker made them super tender, and the sauce was absolutely delicious!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Catherine! I am glad that you enjoyed them!
Harold W
This crock pot meatballs recipe was pretty delicious. They were perfect for our big family. I served them with toasted hoagie buns and shredded Parmesan cheese.
Beth Pierce
What a delicious way to serve them!
AJ
So so good! Meatballs with spaghetti is a classic go to meal! Add a bowl full of veggies and you’re good to go!
Jaishree
These meatballs look like a great comfort food option! I love how slow cookers bring out rich flavors. I’d love to try a vegetarian version—maybe using lentils or mushrooms
Marcia
This is the best way to make meatballs, especially for a big gathering. Love your recipe — so delicious!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Marica!
Janice
What a fantastic and easy way to create many meatballs. They were delicious and perfect for our little get together for my granddaughters birthday!
Sam D
These were amazing and just the perfect comfort food my family. They thought they were delicious! I will be making this recipe again soon!