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.
These are fantastic!! I made them with ground turkey and they came out perfect. My 15 month old devoured his, too, so that’s always an extra win! We used them for meatball subs this time, and I’m sure we’ll be using this recipe a ton!
can I make these without sauce?
I haven’t tried it so I can’t say for sure Stephi. Without sauce the meatballs may become a little dry. If you try it I would love to hear how it turns out!
Yum, just made with ground turkey, and it came out delicious! Did meatball subs :)
I am in the process of making these and noticed the garlic is not chopped? Is it just two whole garlic cloves? Would appreciate a response. Thank you!
Sorry for the confusion, the garlic should be minced. Enjoy!
Planning to double this recipe for a birthday party. Any suggestions for crockpot size to use with the doubled recipe or other tips? Thanks!
I haven’t tried doubling this recipe but other readers have with great success Amy. Your standard size Crock Pot should be okay as long as it’s at a maximum ¾ full. Another reader layered half the meatballs, sauce, then the rest of the meatballs and sauce with great success! They may take slightly longer to come up to temperature and to cook so you want to ensure your meatballs reach 165°F. Enjoy!
Is that 56 ounce of sauce. Or do you mean use either OR one of the tomatoes?
Hi Mary, this recipe uses 24 ounces pasta sauce, 14 ounces crushed tomatoes canned, and 28 ounces diced tomatoes canned, undrained. I hope this helps!
How do you prevent these from being greasy since you can’t drain the fat from the meat? I would love to try the recipe but my concern is the grease. Thanks
I use lean beef in this slow cooker meatball recipe. The juices from the meatballs add amazing flavor to the sauce and are not drained. If you find a little extra fat floating on top, you can mix it in, or remove it with a spoon or paper towel. Enjoy the meatballs Erika!
Easy and great tasting. Instead of parsley, I used one half of a finely diced bell pepper.
Can this recipe be doubled?
Yes, this recipe can be doubled Kara. It may take slightly longer to come up to temperature and to cook so you want to ensure your meatballs reach 165°F. Enjoy!
can I sub for ground turkey?
Turkey should work just fine in this recipe Vee!
I’ve been trying find a good meatball recipe for years and this is it!
The only change I made was to use 1 lb of ground beef and 1/2 lb of Italian sausage. I will probably blend up the tomatoes since we like our sauce a little thicker. This will make great meatball subs!
Do you think I could sub gluten free bread crumbs? My daughter is now GF but meatballs are a favorite in our home.
That would work just fine in this recipe Terri!
How does barbecue sauce Apricot jelly and apple sauce all mixed together in the crockpot sound. I haven’t tried this yet but I’m pretty sure I read this recently some where . I already baked the meatballs for 25 Minutes at 350 Degrees
We have a play on that recipe with this sweet and sour meatball recipe!
We love your Greek meatballs and I want to try these. Do you need a jar of pasta sauce along with the other ingredients or could I use your marinara sauce recipe instead of jarred sauce?
Marinara sauce would work great in this recipe Peg! You could add some extra seasonings or spices if you’d like.
The reviews sound great. Sign me up !
Fabulous recipe! I used one pound extra lean ground beef and one pound of 99% fat free ground turkey breast, so I increased it slightly, but kept everything else the same. I usually bake meatballs or brown them in a skillet, but this was so much easier and less clean up. We made meatball subs with these and added some homemade pasta salad. I’ll definitely make these again. I come here often for recipes. Thank you!
I’ve used this recipe several times. I’m finally getting around to printing it. The meatballs are tender & delicious! There was another crockpot meatball recipe I found somewhere & that one was loaded with so much garlic & onion& spices that it was overwhelming. (& I like a lot of that stuff) This one is perfect!
Thanks, Jenna. So glad you enjoyed it.
is it possible to use your oven meatball recipe in the crockpot? i have pork and beef and was curious if it will turn out them same.
Hi Nick, it should work with your own meatball recipe as well.
Hi Holly
My crockpot only works on low setting now.
Can I still use the Crockpot Meatballs recipe?
I’ve been looking for a recipe like this for so long.
Will they cook ok putting the mince in raw?
Thanks
Marion
Hi Marion, they can be cooked on low. I would suggest about 6-7 hours, you’ll want to ensure they reach 165°F.
Love your Crockpot meatball recipe along with most of all your other rcipes. They are my go too each day
Thanks Holly for making my cooking easier.
So glad we can help, Lorraine!
Hello what if I only have 73% lean and 27% fat ground beef at the moment? Can I use this?
Or what would you recommend using this type of beef for? Because it would be too greasy right ?
Thanks!
Hi Audrey, for that ground beef, I’d suggest trying baked meatballs or air fryer meatballs so that the fat will drip off. Enjoy!
How do you remove all of the grease when cooked?
I use lean beef in this slow cooker meatball recipe. The juices from the meatballs add amazing flavor to the sauce and are not drained. If you find a little extra fat floating on top, you can mix it in, or remove it with a spoon or paper towel. Enjoy the meatballs Kathy!