Crockpot Meatballs are a crowd-pleaser and so easy to make! Whether you’re serving them as an appetizer or a main dish, they’re always a hit. Here’s a simple and delicious recipe for Best Crockpot Meatballs that are tender, juicy, and packed with flavor.
Best Crockpot Meatballs Recipe
Ingredients:
For the meatballs:
- 1 lb ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork for extra flavor)
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (preferably Italian-style)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup milk
For the sauce:
- 2 cups marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar (optional, for a sweet kick)
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar (optional for extra depth of flavor)
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (optional, for a tangy flavor)
Instructions:
- Make the meatballs:
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, egg, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic, oregano, basil, onion powder, salt, pepper, and milk. Mix everything together gently using your hands or a spoon until just combined. Be careful not to overwork the mixture, as it can make the meatballs tough.
- Roll the mixture into meatballs, about 1 to 1 ½ inches in diameter. This should make around 20-25 meatballs.
- Brown the meatballs (optional, but recommended):
- For extra flavor and a nice crust, heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, brown the meatballs on all sides for about 2-3 minutes per side. This step adds great flavor, but if you’re short on time, you can skip it and add the meatballs directly to the Crockpot.
- Prepare the sauce:
- In a bowl, mix together the marinara sauce, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, balsamic vinegar, and Dijon mustard. Stir until well combined. The brown sugar adds a subtle sweetness to balance out the acidity of the marinara.
- Slow cook the meatballs:
- Place the browned or unbrowned meatballs into the Crockpot. Pour the sauce over the meatballs, making sure they are all coated.
- Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours, or on high for 2-3 hours. The meatballs will be tender, juicy, and infused with the flavorful sauce.
- Serve:
- Once done, serve the meatballs hot! They’re great on their own as an appetizer, or you can serve them over pasta, on sub rolls for meatball sandwiches, or with a side of mashed potatoes or rice.
Tips:
- Freezing meatballs: You can make a double batch of meatballs and freeze half. Simply freeze the meatballs (before cooking) on a baking sheet, and once frozen, store them in a freezer bag. When ready to cook, you can add frozen meatballs directly to the Crockpot and increase the cooking time by about an hour.
- Make it spicier: If you like a bit of heat, you can add red pepper flakes or a chopped jalapeño to the sauce for an extra kick.
- Cheese: For extra cheesy goodness, you can sprinkle shredded mozzarella on top of the meatballs during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
These Best Crockpot Meatballs are a perfect go-to recipe for busy nights or when you need a simple, hearty dish for a crowd. Tender, flavorful, and always a hit! Enjoy!