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Easy slow cooker meatballs in rich tomato sauce on a white plate, garnished with parsley and served with a fork

Easy Slow Cooker Meatballs

This easy slow cooker meatballs recipe saves time while delivering delicious, homemade meatballs in slow cooker style. Enjoy juicy meatballs in rich tomato sauce with minimal effort!
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 ½ pounds ground beef I recommend 85/15 for a balance of juiciness and flavor without being overly fatty.
  • 1 ¼ cups Italian seasoned bread crumbs These pack in seasoning and save you from grabbing multiple spices. Swap with plain crumbs and a pinch of Italian herbs if needed.
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 1 (28 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce A quality jarred sauce adds convenience and depth to the dish. Brands like Rao’s or Barilla work wonderfully.
  • 1 (16 ounce) can crushed tomatoes Crushed tomatoes and tomato puree bring that homemade sauce feel without hours of simmering.
  • 1 (14.25 ounce) can tomato puree

Method
 

  1. Gather all your ingredients and prep your workspace.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, bread crumbs, onion, garlic, parsley, and beaten egg. Use your hands to mix everything until just combined—don’t overmix!
  3. Shape the mixture into 16 evenly-sized meatballs and set aside.
  4. Pour the spaghetti sauce, crushed tomatoes, and tomato puree into your slow cooker. Stir to combine.
  5. Gently nestle the meatballs into the sauce mixture, ensuring they are submerged.
  6. Cover and cook on the low setting for 6 to 8 hours, allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully.
  7. Serve warm over pasta, with crusty bread, or as-is for a comforting meal.

Notes

Trust me, once you try this hands-off approach, you'll never go back.