There's nothing quite like a slow cooker full of tender, juicy meatballs simmering in a rich, homemade tomato sauce. The aroma alone will have everyone wandering into the kitchen asking, "What's for dinner?" Best of all, this slow cooker meatball recipe does all the heavy lifting while you go about your day.
Come dinnertime, all that's left to do is boil some pasta, toast a few sub rolls, and dig in!
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🗝️ Recipe's key points
- Quick to prep with simple ingredients. Easy to customize with different ground meats. You can also make simple swaps to fit your diet.
- Made with affordable pantry staples, these slow cooker meatballs are a budget-friendly choice for feeding the whole family.
- Cooking the meatballs in sauce in the slow cooker means less mess, less stress, and way fewer dishes to wash.
With so little effort and so much flavor, these slow cooker meatballs in tomato sauce check every box for a weeknight win!
🛒 Ingredients
This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.
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Meatballs
- Ground beef – I usually prefer 85% lean ground beef for a richer flavor. You can also swap in ground chicken or turkey if you like.
- Italian sausage – Adds sweet Italian flavor to the meatball mixture. Feel free to use a spicy variety instead.
- Bread crumbs – Provides bulk to the meatball mixture and acts as a binder so that the meatballs keep their shape. Use Panko bread crumbs or make your own from scratch.
- Eggs – Another key binder for tender meatballs. Let them come to room temp first!
- Milk – For moisture and extra flavor.
- Garlic and Onion – The aromatic foundation for the meatball mixture.
- Parmesan cheese – Always use freshly grated cheese for the best flavor. It also melts seamlessly compared to pre-shredded store-bought cheese.
- Kosher salt and black pepper - Enhances the flavors of these meatballs. Feel free to also use Italian seasoning.
Homemade seasoned sauce
- Tomato sauce – Thickens the sauce and adds concentrated flavor.
- Diced tomatoes – The juicy tomatoes with juice provide the main liquid base of this sauce with rich flavor.
- Vegetables (Onion, Celery, Carrot, Garlic) – Provides rich flavor to the cooking liquid as well as volume to the sauce.
- Bay Leaf – Don't forget to remove this before serving.
- Seasonings (Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, black pepper) –
- Olive oil – To brown the meatballs and create a delicious crust on all sides. A neutral oil like vegetable oil, canola, or avocado oil will work too.
🗒 Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. Full instructions are in the recipe card at the bottom of the page.
- Add all of the meatball ingredients to a large mixing bowl and combine without overmixing.
- Roll 2-inch balls with your hands and place them on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Refrigerate while making the sauce.
- Add the sauce ingredients to a 6 quart slow cooker.
- Stir to combine and turn on the high setting.
- Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add half of the meatballs and brown on all sides.
- Transfer the browned meatballs to the slow cooker. Repeat this for the remaining meatballs.
- Toss the meatballs carefully in the sauce.
- Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6 hours. Serve over pasta or on a sub.
🥫 Storage
Once the meatballs are fully cool, store them in an airtight container with the sauce. Keep them in the fridge for up to 4 days. Or freeze them for up to 3 months.
Reheat these leftover crock pot meatballs in the microwave or in the oven, covered with foil to prevent them drying out.
📚 Variations
- Protein swaps: Swap ground beef for leaner ground chicken or turkey and add 1 tablespoon of oil to prevent dryness. Use ground beef for a richer flavor (85% lean works best).
- Spicier: Use spicy Italian sausage instead of sweet. Or add crushed red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne to the meatball mix.
- Gluten-free: Use gluten-free bread crumbs. Alternatively, add cornstarch to the meatball mixture as the binder of choice.
- Alternative browning method: Air-fry your meatballs at 375°F for 3-5 minutes instead of pan searing. Make sure that you don't overcrowd the air fryer basket or the meatballs will steam.
- Red wine sauce: After you brown the meatballs, deglaze the skillet with ½ cup red wine. Scrape up the browned bits (that’s the fond). Pour it all into your sauce for rich, deep flavor.
👩🏻🍳 Tips
- Lightly oil your hands before shaping the meatballs to prevent sticking.
- Don’t overmix your meatball mixture. Gently combine just until the ingredients are incorporated to avoid tough meatballs.
- Use a cookie scoop for evenly sized meatballs (about 1.5 tablespoon each).
- Roll the meatball mixture lightly. Compact them just enough to hold their shape. Remember, tightly packing will create dense meatballs.
- Double the sauce if you have a large enough slow cooker. It's great for drizzling over pasta or storing to use in other meals throughout the week.
- Chill the shaped meatballs for at least 30 minutes. You can also chill them overnight. This helps them keep their shape while browning. It also keeps them from falling apart in the sauce.
- Always cook pasta fresh and serve the meatballs and sauce over it. Don't add pasta to the slow cooker or it will turn mushy.
🤔 FAQs
Do you have to brown meatballs before putting them in the slow cooker?
No, you can cook raw meatballs directly in the slow cooker as long as they reach a safe internal temperature. Browning the meatballs first adds rich flavor and helps them stay firm while they simmer in tomato sauce.
Why are my homemade meatballs falling apart?
Meatballs can fall apart if you don’t use enough binder, like egg or breadcrumbs. Chilling the shaped meatballs before browning can also help them keep their shape.
Can I make slow cooker meatballs ahead of time?
Yes! You can shape the meatballs a day in advance, cover them tightly, and refrigerate until ready to brown and cook. You can prep the sauce ingredients ahead of time.
Can I freeze cooked slow cooker meatballs?
Absolutely. Let the cooked meatballs and sauce cool completely, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the fridge. Then reheat it gently on the stove, in the microwave, or in a slow cooker, until hot.
How do I keep slow cooker meatballs from drying out?
Avoid overmixing the meat mixture, and do not cook the meatballs longer than necessary. Using ground beef and sweet Italian sausage adds big flavor and fat.
How long do meatballs cook in a slow cooker?
These homemade meatballs cook for about 4 hours on HIGH or 6 hours on LOW. Cooking time can vary with meatball size and your slow cooker. They should reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
Are slow-cooker meatballs good for parties?
Yes! Slow-cooker meatballs are excellent for parties, game-day gatherings, potlucks, and holiday celebrations. Once cooked, they can stay warm in the slow cooker for serving.
Can I use these slow cooker meatballs for meatball subs?
Definitely. Spoon the warm meatballs and tomato sauce into sturdy toasted rolls, then add mozzarella or provolone cheese if you like. Broil briefly until the cheese melts for an easy homemade meatball sub.
📗 Related Recipes
Discover endless possibilities for making juicy and flavorful meatballs. Entirely different dishes that are equally as satisfying.
- Authentic Swedish Meatballs And Sauce - Inspired by IKEA, these beef-and-pork meatballs are seasoned with warm spices, browned until golden, then simmered in a rich, creamy beef broth sauce.
- Meatballs in Creamy Mushroom Sauce - This quick weeknight favorite starts with ready-made meatballs smothered in a rich, buttery mushroom gravy that soaks deep into the meat.
- Garlicky Meatballs {Polpette all'Aglio}– A simple recipe for tasty Italian polpette. Serve them with your favorite sauce. You can also make them ahead and freeze them.
- Coq Au Vin Turkey Meatballs - A fun twist on the French classic, this dish features tender ground turkey meatballs in a creamy white wine sauce with earthy mushrooms and crispy bacon, all served over silky tagliatelle pasta for the perfect blend of comfort and gourmet.
- Asian Meatballs in Lettuce Cups – This recipe combines comfort and crunch in the best way. Juicy meatballs with ginger and garlic, nestled in lettuce and brushed with an addictive sauce. They’re great for meal prep, too!
🍽 What to serve with slow cooker meatballs
Serve these juicy Italian slow cooker meatballs with savory sauce over mashed potato, noodles, or Italian Oven-Baked Rice for a comforting family dinner. You can also load them in slider buns, in crispy lettuce leaves, or enjoy them as tasty appetizers.
A light green salad or garlic bread makes a great side for these homemade slow cooker meatballs. If you want a larger scarpetta, you can't go wrong with homemade Italian Focaccia or Homemade Ciabatta.
And for dessert, keep it Italian with our easy no-bake Cannoli Chocolate Lasagna.
🔪 All Our Way recommends the following
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You’ll need the following items to make this recipe successfully.
- Slow Cooker – I've used a 6 quart slow cooker which comfortably holds the meatballs and sauce.
- Skillet 12-inch – Ideal for browning the meatballs to create caramelized crusts.
- Chef's knife – For ingredient preparation.
- Cutting board – A stable surface for ingredient preparation.
- Mixing bowl – Perfect for thoroughly combining all meatball ingredients without spills.
- Dry measuring cups and spoons – Ensures precise measuring of the various ingredients when making these slow cooker meatballs.
📞 Chiacchierata (chat)
There’s something about the aroma of meatballs simmering in tomato sauce that makes a house feel like home. Maybe it’s the garlic. Maybe it’s the tomatoes. Or maybe it’s the simple promise that something delicious is waiting at the table.
Growing up in an Italian home, meatballs were never just “meatballs.” They were part of a meal that invited everyone to slow down, pull up a chair, and stay awhile. And, of course, there always had to be plenty of bread nearby because leaving that delicious sauce behind would be unthinkable. Fare la scarpetta is practically a kitchen responsibility! 😂🇮🇹
Now, I’ll admit I love old-school cooking. But I also love a recipe that lets me get on with my day. That’s exactly why these Slow Cooker Meatballs make me so happy. You still get homemade meatballs with ground beef, sweet Italian sausage, Parmesan, and garlic. All those classic flavors are there. But the slow cooker handles the long, gentle simmer for you.
And these aren’t those tiny little meatballs that disappear under a forkful of pasta. No, no—these are generous, hearty polpette! Brown them first for that extra layer of flavor, nestle them into the tomato sauce, and let time work its magic.
And if someone happens to sneak a meatball before dinner? Well... in my kitchen, I consider that quality control.
Buon appetito, amici! ❤️info
Tutti a tavolo, è pronto!
If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.
What's new? Check out my All Our Way Store on Amazon. We'll be adding more items we love and use or wish we had to make cooking fun and easy.
📖 Recipe
Juicy Slow Cooker Meatballs With Rich Homemade Tomato Sauce
Equipment Needed
- Slow cooker - crockpot 6-7 quart
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 2-¼ Pounds Ground Beef
- 1 Pound Sweet Italian Sausage
- ¾ Cup Bread Crumbs
- 2 Eggs
- 3 Tablespoons Milk
- 3 Garlic Cloves minced
- ½ Onion grated
- ½ Cup Parmesan freshly grated
- 1-½ teaspoons Salt
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
Sauce
- 29 oz. Can Tomato Sauce
- 15 oz. Can Diced Tomatoes
- 1 Onion diced
- 2 Ribs Celery diced
- 1 Carrot peeled and grated
- 3 Cloves Garlic minced
- 1 Bay Leaf
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
- 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil for frying
Instructions
- Add all meatball ingredients to a large mixing bowl and mix until just combined. Don’t overmix or the meatballs will end up tough.
- Form 2” meatballs using your hands and arrange on a baking sheet. Refrigerate while you get the rest of the recipe together.
- Add all the sauce ingredients to a 6 quart slow cooker and stir together. Turn on high setting.
- Add the olive oil to a large 12” skillet and heat over medium-high heat.
- Add half of the meatballs and brown on all sides, add to the slow cooker.
- Brown the remaining meatballs and add to the sauce. Toss together carefully in the sauce, cover and cook on high for 4 hours (or low for 6 hours).
- Serve over pasta or on a sub.
Notes
👩🏻🍳 Tips
- Lightly oil your hands before shaping the meatballs to prevent sticking.
- Don’t overmix your meatball mixture. Gently combine just until the ingredients are incorporated to avoid tough meatballs.
- Use a cookie scoop for evenly sized meatballs (about 1.5 tablespoons each).
- Roll the meatball mixture lightly. Compact them just enough to hold their shape. Remember, tightly packing will create dense meatballs.
- Double the sauce if you have a large enough slow cooker. It's great for drizzling over pasta or for storing and using in other meals throughout the week.
- Chill the shaped meatballs for at least 30 minutes. You can also chill them overnight. This helps them keep their shape while browning. It also keeps them from falling apart in the sauce.
- Always cook pasta fresh and serve the meatballs and sauce over it. Don't add pasta to the slow cooker or it will turn mushy.
Nutrition
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Marisa Franca
Whenever I'm searching for an easy make-ahead meal that feeds family and friends, these slow cooker meatballs come to mind. The meatballs are also very versatile - sandwiches, over pasta, or by themselves. The possibilities are endless.