These slow cooker meatballs are a traditional, Italian style meatballs made with ground beef and pork, Parmesan cheese, herbs and spices. They are slow simmered in tomato sauce, to tender perfection in the crock pot and are perfect served over spaghetti. This post was originally published in 2014.
I’ve been a big fan of the slow cooker for years. And then the pressure cooker came around and I feel like people kind of forgot about the beauty of the slow cooker. The hands-off nature of it. My favourite that I’ve had for eight years is this 6-quart slow cooker from KitchenAid.
This meatball recipe is as easy as any meatball recipe out there. The first step is to mix the ingredients for the tomato sauce in the slow cooker, and then you mix and shape the meatballs. And everything cooks in the slow cooker at the same time.
Yes, you read that right. All you need to do is turn your slow cooker on.
Do I need to brown the meatballs before putting them in the slow cooker?
With this recipe, there is no need to brown the meatballs. They hold their shape and cook perfectly and end up tender and juicy in the slow cooker. You could also try using this method with my turkey and spinach meatballs.
The meatballs are gently simmered in the crockpot and the tomato sauce becomes luscious and rich. I like to use mixture of lean ground beef and pork for these so that the sauce doesn’t become greasy.
The secret to these meatballs comes from dried fennel. I find it gives them a hint of fennel without being overpowering. Think of the meatballs you’d have at your favourite Italian restaurant.
The other secret to a rich, slow cooker tomato sauce comes from using an entire can of tomato paste. This adds a depth of flavour to the tomato sauce that you’d find in a slow simmered tomato sauce.
Slow Cooker Meatballs in Tomato Sauce
Ingredients
For Tomato Sauce
- 1 28oz can whole tomatoes, broken up with a spoon
- 1 5.5 oz can tomato paste
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 carrot, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon chili flakes
- 10 fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced, for garnish
For Meatballs
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 lb lean ground pork
- 2 eggs
- ¾ cup bread crumbs
- ⅓ cup milk
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup minced parsley
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon fennel, crushed
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- In the slow cooker, combine whole tomatoes, tomato paste, onion, carrot, garlic, salt and hot pepper flakes.
- In a large bowl, mix beef, pork, eggs, bread crumbs, milk, garlic, parsley, Parmesan cheese, fennel seeds, salt and pepper until combined.
- Shape in 12 large meatballs and arrange meatballs on top of tomato sauce in the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, until carrots are tender and an instant-read thermometer inserted into several meatballs reads 160F. Skim off fat. Serve sprinkled with basil.
Sandra Dillon
Love the recipe , could I add cream cheese and spinach to this also , thank you xx
Louisa Clements
Yes you certainly could! I would recommend adding the cream and spinach right at the end and putting the lid back on for another 15 or so minutes.
Raina
It says cooking tell carrots are tender lol there are no carrots in this recipe. But I’m excited to try it.
Louisa Clements
Thanks Raina, I hope you enjoy! There are carrots in the tomato sauce that the meatballs cook in.
Marissa
I tried this tonight and while it was good, i felt like it wasnt amazing. The meatballs turned out softer then i like and was breaking apart.
Louisa Clements
Thanks Marissa, yes these meatballs tend to be more tender than those you make in a frying pan or in the oven as they are braised versus roasted or fried. I’m glad you still enjoyed the meatballs!
M Zagrai
I left the four stars bec the recipe (which I followed to a tee) needs a jar (24oz) of whatever sauce you have at hand. Otherwise it is an excellent and easy recipe. I recommend using a small cookie/ice cream scoop bec I tried making 12 and these are huge (2lbs of meat is a lot).
Adolph Adkisson
Hi there, just became alert to your blog through web search, and found that it is really informative. I am gonna watch out for updates. I will be grateful if you continue this in future. Many people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!
Fiori
I am making this recipe again as it is my favourite!
Louisa Clements
So glad you love this recipe! It’s one of my favourites.
Linda
Excellent recipe! So easy and delicious. One of my favourite recipes from the first time I made it. Thank you!
Louisa Clements
I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe, Linda! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review!
Steph
I don’t see the sugar listed in the instructions? I’m assuming it gets added into the sauce with the other ingredients in step 1, or at least I hope so cause that’s what I did! We shall see if these are teenager approved! I have a feeling she’s going to love them regardless! -Sincerely, a vegetarian momma <3
P.S. it smells so good! Nights like this really make me miss meat haha. Thanks for the recipe!
Louisa Clements
Hi Steph! Good catch, yes it gets added with the sauce. I hope your daughter enjoyed them!
Louis
These are great and I speak from experience!
Fiori
This is my favourite slow cooker recipe – the meatballs are FANTASTIC. Thank you Louisa!
Louisa Clements
So glad you enjoy this recipe, thank you for letting me know!
Mark
Do I not need to brown them just a bit first to give them that stove top fried taste and prevent them from falling apart later? I’ve been told to sear everything before it goes in.
Louisa Clements
Hi Mark, for this recipe in the slow cooker, you don’t need to brown them beforehand. Typically I like to brown ingredients before adding to the slow cooker, but I find this recipe doesn’t need it! They end up really juicy and delicious and don’t fall apart once they are done cooking.
Kevin
I can’t cook. These meatballs are amazing and so easy to make that even i could do it! I couldn’t find crushed fennel so I did a little googling and ended up subbing in some ground coriander.
Louisa Clements
So glad you enjoyed these Kevin and were able to find a substitution! I typically use fennel seeds and just squash/crush them with my knife, or if you have a mortal and pestle you could use that as well. :)
Angela
I had tried to make meatballs in sauce in the slow cooker before but was never satisfied. This recipe is flavorful and perfectly proportioned!
Louisa Clements
So glad you enjoyed this recipe, Angela! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review–much appreciated!
Shirley Clements
This recipe has all of the ingredients in it that I love (which includes fresh basil & fennel)! I will be picking up some fennel as my mouth is watering for the flavours in your yummy recipe ❣️
Alisanne
Hello. I love your recipes! Thank you so much for sharing them. Two questions about this recipe; How many carrots do I chop up for the 6 serving recipe please? And am I right to assume 1 can of whole tomatoes is one 28 oz can?
Thanks in advance!
Louisa Clements
Hi Alisanne, I am so sorry for my delay! I missed your comment. I’m so glad you enjoy my recipes! I’ve updated the recipe, my apologies for the mistakes, it should be one carrot and yes, a 28oz can of whole tomatoes. I hope you enjoy!
Shirley Clements
I love your meatball recipe!
Summer Yule
These are spectacular! I served our meatballs with sourdough bread to scoop up the sauce and a side of fresh spring asparagus. I loved that this made so much food, another meal is set this week! Awesome recipe! :D
Louisa Clements
I am so glad that you enjoyed this recipe, Summer! Thank you for letting me know.
mohan kumar
Nice blog to follow while preparing recipes.Thank you so much for sharing with us.
Louisa Clements
Thanks Mohan, glad you’re enjoying the recipes.
Thalia @ butter and brioche
Craving meatballs and spaghetti right now.. this looks SO delicious and I especially love that you can use a slow cooker! They are the best for times when I don’t feel like cooking at all!
Lou
Thanks, Thalia! I agree, slow cookers are really the best.
Sarah | (Cooking for) Kiwi & Bean
Shoot, I saw this book at Costco today (cool, right?) and I ALMOST bought it. But I didn’t and now I’m kicking myself. I need to get on board with slow cooking….but I’ve had some fails and so it scares me a bit :-). Do you find that raw onion works ok in there? I had a traumatizing raw onion in the slow cooker experience. Someone told me I could make “caramelized onions” in there….and I literally spent an hour cutting onions that 10 hours later were disgustingly inedible.
Lou
Oh Sarah, you should definitely pick up a copy if you see it again! I actually find the raw onions work really well in the slow cooker, I chop them up quite finely though. I can’t say I’ve ever tried caramelized onions in the slow cooker, not sure I really want to now though…ha!
Jan @ Family Bites
I’ve been on a slow cooker kick all week making three of my four dinners in one. I think the two of us are having a little love affair this week. These meatballs look fantastic, and your plating and pictures are gorgeous.
Lou
Thank you so much, Jan! I’ve been on a slow cooker kick also, must be the weather. xo!
Carole
I think I’ll make these this weekend, thanks for the crockpot reminder
Lou
Thanks Carole, let me know how it goes!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice
I love using my slow cooker! It’s so easy to just throw your food in there and end up with a delicious meal hours later. These monster meatballs look delicious! What a great recipe for the slow cooker!
Lou
Thanks, Gayle! Slow cookers really are the best. Let me know if you give it a try!
anna @ annamayeveryday
I love meatballs and these Monster ones look fabulous!
Lou
Thank you, Anna! Let me know if you give them a try.