Slow Cooker Meatballs
Cook
4-6 hours
Prep Time
15 mins
Total Time
4-6 hours
Serves
6
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 cups marinara sauce (or your favorite pasta sauce)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for browning, optional)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)
Kitchen Tools Needed:
- Large mixing bowl
- Crockpot (slow cooker)
- Large skillet (for optional browning)
- Knife and cutting board
- Tongs or spoon
Steps
- Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly combined.
- Form the Meatballs: Roll the meat mixture into 1-1.5 inch meatballs, making them evenly sized for even cooking.
- Brown the Meatballs (Optional): If you'd like, you can brown the meatballs in a skillet with a tablespoon of olive oil before adding them to the crockpot. This step adds extra flavor, but it's optional. Simply heat the oil over medium heat, brown the meatballs on all sides for 4-5 minutes, then transfer them to the crockpot.
- Add to Crockpot: Place the meatballs into the crockpot and pour the marinara sauce over them, ensuring they are fully covered.
- Cook: Set the crockpot to low and cook for 4-6 hours, or set it to high and cook for 2-3 hours. The meatballs should be cooked through and tender by the end of cooking time.
- Garnish and Serve: Once done, garnish with freshly chopped parsley (optional) and serve over pasta, with bread, or as an appetizer with toothpicks.
Macros:
Total Calories: 300
Carbs: 12g
Proteins: 22g
Fats: 18g