Crock Pot Meatballs Penne in Red Sauce
Transform your weeknight dinner routine with this hearty and comforting Crock Pot Meatballs Penne in Red Sauce! Featuring tender frozen meatballs simmered to perfection in a rich marinara sauce infused with garlic and Italian seasoning, this one-pot meal is as easy as it is satisfying. The slow cooker does all the work, blending flavors while the pasta finishes right in the pot, absorbing all the savory goodness of the sauce. Topped with a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley, this dish is perfect for busy families or effortless entertaining. With simple ingredients and minimal prep, you can enjoy a warm, crowd-pleasing dinner that's full of flavor without standing over the stove. Ideal for pasta lovers and those seeking convenient, slow cooker recipes!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 32 oz Frozen meatballs
- 16 oz Penne pasta
- 48 oz Marinara sauce
- 3 cups Water
- 2 cloves Garlic (minced)
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp Salt
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper
- 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
- 2 tbsp Fresh parsley (chopped, optional for garnish)
Instructions
Place the frozen meatballs in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker.
Pour the marinara sauce over the meatballs, ensuring they are fully covered.
Add the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper to the sauce; stir gently to combine.
Cover and cook on high for 2 hours or low for 4 hours, until the meatballs are heated through.
In a separate bowl, combine the water and the uncooked penne pasta. Let the pasta soak for 15 minutes to prevent it from drying out during cooking.
After the meatballs have cooked for the initial time, add the soaked pasta (along with any remaining water from soaking) to the slow cooker. Stir to ensure the pasta is evenly distributed in the sauce.
Cover and cook on high for an additional 45-60 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the pasta is al dente.
Once the pasta is fully cooked, sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the top and stir to mix it in.
Serve hot, garnished with freshly chopped parsley if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
705 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 41.8 g | 54% | |
| Saturated Fat | 16.7 g | 84% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 83 mg | 28% | |
| Sodium | 1981 mg | 86% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 46.0 g | 17% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 5.4 g | 19% | |
| Total Sugars | 9.0 g | ||
| Protein | 35.2 g | 70% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 336 mg | 26% | |
| Iron | 4.2 mg | 23% | |
| Potassium | 427 mg | 9% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
