Description
Slow Cooker Italian Meatballs offer a hearty and comforting dish perfect for any occasion. Juicy meatballs made from ground beef and Italian sausage are seasoned with Italian herbs and Parmesan cheese, browned under the broiler, then simmered slowly in marinara sauce for tender, flavorful results. This recipe yields about 40 meatballs that can be served with pasta, in sandwiches, or as an appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- ½ cup milk
- 4 eggs
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 12 ounces mild Italian sausage, bulk, or casings removed
- 1 ¼ cups Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
- 2 teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
Sauce
- 6 cups marinara pasta sauce (two 24-ounce jars or homemade)
Instructions
- Mix ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together milk and eggs until combined. Add ground beef, Italian sausage, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and garlic powder; stir with a wooden spoon or mix with your fingers until well combined.
- Broil meatballs: Heat broiler to high and position an oven rack 4 to 5 inches from the heat source. Lightly grease two baking sheets with cooking spray or oil. Shape about 40 meatballs (1 to 2 inches each) and place evenly on prepared sheets. Broil meatballs 6 to 8 minutes, flipping halfway, until browned.
- Transfer to slow cooker: Place browned meatballs into a 6-quart slow cooker.
- Add sauce and cook: Pour marinara sauce evenly over the meatballs. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours until meatballs reach at least 160°F internal temperature and are cooked through.
- Serve: Serve meatballs atop pasta, inside hoagie rolls with melted cheese for sandwiches, alongside mashed potatoes, or as an appetizer.
- Freeze (optional): Let meatballs and sauce cool completely. Freeze in a resealable bag or container in a single layer. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating until heated through.
Notes
- This recipe makes about 40 meatballs; consider halving if not freezing leftovers.
- Browning meatballs under the broiler adds flavor and helps them hold shape before slow cooking.
- You can use homemade marinara sauce for a fresher taste or store-bought for convenience.
- Ensure internal temperature reaches 160°F for food safety.
- Leftover meatballs freeze well for easy future meals.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 meatballs with sauce
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg
