These crockpot meatballs simmer in a rich tomato sauce, turning simple ingredients into a tender, flavor-packed comfort meal with almost no effort.
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Holly’s Recipe Highlights
- Flavor: Tender and juicy with classic Italian flavors, simmered in a rich, garlicky tomato sauce that’s both savory and comforting.
- Recommended Tools: A small cookie scoop keeps the meatballs the same size so they cook evenly.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve over spaghetti, polenta, or tucked into toasted meatball subs. They’re even better with homemade garlic bread and a classic Caesar salad to round out the meal.
Best Ingredients for Meatballs
- Ground Beef: Using lean ground beef keeps the sauce from getting greasy. For a heartier meatball, use a beef-and-pork blend. For a bolder flavor, swap half of the ground beef for Italian sausage. If replacing with ground turkey or chicken, add a tablespoon of milk to keep them tender.
- Bread Crumbs: Fine breadcrumbs work best for binding the meatballs. Gluten-free crumbs or crushed crackers can be used as an easy swap.
- Sauce: Use a marinara or pasta sauce you already love since it drives the final flavor, or choose one with garlic and basil for a classic Italian taste.
- Seasonings: Adding Italian seasoning to the slow cooker brings all the flavors together beautifully.
- Variations: Stir in a spoonful of tomato paste near the end for a thicker sauce, or add a Parmesan rind while it simmers for extra savory richness, removing it before serving.
How to Cook Meatballs in the Crockpot
- Combine meatball ingredients and roll into balls (full recipe below).
- Place in the Crockpot and top with sauce.
- Cook the meatballs until they reach 160°F, and the sauce is bubbling.
Storing and Reheating Tips
Store cooled meatballs in an airtight container and refrigerate up to 4 days. Or freeze in meal-sized portions in freezer bags or containers for up to 3 months for best quality.
Reheat on the stovetop over medium-low or in the microwave in short bursts, stirring the sauce in between. Or reheat in a slow cooker on low, stirring occasionally, until hot throughout. Add a splash of water if the sauce has thickened.
Yes, you can! They will fully cook in the sauce. Cook until the meatballs reach 160°F in the center.
Yes. Precooked, frozen meatballs will need extra time to ensure they are heated through before serving. Precooked, thawed meatballs will need less time since they only need to warm up. However, it is not recommended to put frozen raw meatballs in the slow cooker. You will want to thaw before adding them.
Yes, cook on low for 6 to 7 hours or high for 3 to 4 hours. Keep the lid on as much as possible, and cook until the meatballs reach 160°F.
More Meatball Favorites
Did you enjoy this Crockpot Meatballs Recipe? Leave a comment and rating below.
Equipment
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1½ pounds lean ground beef
- ⅓ cup Italian bread crumbs
- ¼ cup finely diced onion
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
For the Sauce
- 1 (28 ounce) can canned diced tomatoes with juices
- 24 ounces pasta sauce or marinara sauce
- 14 ounces crushed tomatoes canned
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Spray slow cooker with cooking spray.
- Combine all meatball ingredients in a bowl. Using a tablespoon, form 24 meatballs. Place uncooked meatballs in the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Combine all sauce ingredients in a large bowl. Pour over meatballs and cook on high for 3-4 hours.
- Serve over pasta.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Main Course, Slow Cooker
Cuisine American, Italian© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.
Recipe adapted from The ShortCut Kitchen.
Anyone out there tried these using a gluten free breadcrumb??
I have not tried that myself, but I think you’d be able to sub in oatmeal for the bread crumbs.
I’ve substituted crushed pork skins for bread crumbs, and they worked well!
As always another great recipe. Keep em coming Holly. My family and I would starve without you.
Thank you! So glad all of you loved it Jeff!!
Can you cook on low? And use turkey instead of beef with browning?
Turkey would be a great substitution Meghan!
Can you prepare the meatballs the night before?
You sure can!
How long would I cook JUST the meatballs, without the sauce in the Crock-Pot?
Hi Kevin, I think that should turn out fine. You may want to do a layer of onions at the bottom of the crockpot to keep the meatballs from cooking to the bottom. Then I would cook it on high for 2-3 hours. We’ve never made these without sauce, so you will need to check to make sure they reach a safe internal temperature of at least 160°F. Let us know how it turns out!
I absolutely love this meatball recipe. Im so glad I found it. My son asks for it all the time. I dont use the crushed tomatoes or the diced tomatoes as he doesnt like chunks in his spaghetti unless its meat. I double the pasta sauce and add the garlic and italian seasoning to that. It turns out perfect for us. I also cook it on low for about 6 or 7 hours instead of high because I need it to cook while I’m at work.
I’m so glad you loved it, thank you for sharing your tips!
Made this tonight for my family for dinner… threw it all in the crock earlier today and it made the house smell delicious! It was sooo good. Thank you!
These are amazing! I’m NOT a great cook, so I was looking for a super easy, FAST, no-fail recipe– and this was perfect! My two little girls raved over them. This was also my first time using a crock pot. I took them off heat after 3 hours and 15 minutes. I used 85%/15% beef. -Also added in turkey kielbasa. Thank you for a TRULY easy recipe!
I am so glad your family enjoyed the meatballs Alexia!
Unfortunately my meatballs came out dry as a bone… followed the recipe to the tee. Next time I will try cooking on low vs high.
So sorry to hear that Erin :( We have always had great success with this recipe.
Can I do it on low instead? Like for 6-8 hrs?
Hi Madeline, I haven’t tried it on low but I think it would work. You’ll want to ensure your meatballs reach 165°F.
These meatballs are the bomb ! Easy, saves time & dishes. Only change I made is that I grated the onion and made a double batch. The meatballs came out tender, moist and flavorful.
Thank you this recipe is a keeper for sure.
Great additions Lydia! Definitely have to make a double batch with how delicious these are.
if you make a double batch do you have to cook it longer?
Thanks
It may take slightly longer to come up to temperature. You’ll want to ensure your meatballs reach 165°F. Enjoy Robin!
I decided to try the crock pot meatball recipe I appreciate it because it saves me time from browning the meat over the stove I’m hoping for the best.
I hope you enjoyed the meatballs Lisa!
Hi, would it be fine to place the all purpose meatballs in the slow cooker? Or do they need to bake first for this recipe?
I think that would work just fine.
Do you know if this recipe can be modified to cook on low longer instead of just high?
Thank you!
Shelly
I haven’t tried it on low but I think it would work. You’ll want to ensure your meatballs reach 165°F.
Hi Shelly, did you try this on low? If you did, how long did you set it for? I want to be able to put this on before work to have it ready for dinner!
This can be cooked on low for 6-7 hours.
Hi there! Can I cook these on low? Really excited to try this recipe, meatballs are one thing I have a hard time with!
I haven’t tried it on low but I think it would work. You’ll want to ensure your meatballs reach 165°F. Let us know how it goes!
I’m very excited to make this recipe. If I make a BIG batch can the meatballs cook as they should in the crockpot if stacked up a couple of layers? This would be perfect for the group I need to feed. : ) …. love your recipes, btw.
Thank you Chey! These should cook fine in a couple of layers, it just may take longer to heat up.
Why is there liquid in some of your meatball recipes, and not others.Does the crockpot change the consistency.
When cooking in a slow cooker, the steam doesn’t evaporate as it does in the oven or on the stove top.
Delicious and super easy. I prefer to use a mixture of meats in my meatballs so for these I used ground pork and ground veal. I also threw in some Italian sausage that I had on hand. I served them as-is as a party food. They were delicious! I will be using this recipe again.
The mixture you added sounds delish!!
Yesterday I made one recipe of the crockpot meatballs. They were super.So great. That today I made a double batch in my bigger crockpot. I put the first layer of meatballs on the bottom- then put some sauce on top & then another layer of meatballs & sauce. Thank you!!! I packaged them up.Now i have them ready for a super quick meatball sub sandwich or spaghetti. I am so glad I found your blog
I’m so glad you loved these Stephanie! :)
These look delish!!! And super easy. Thank you. Do you think I could double the recipe? Or do the meatballs need to be single layer?
I haven’t tried doubling this but I’m certain it would work just fine! Please let us know how it goes if you try it!