Italian Meatballs in the Crock Pot
Infused with classic Italian flavors, these tender and juicy Italian Meatballs in the Crock Pot are the ultimate comfort food. Combining a savory blend of ground beef and pork, Parmesan cheese, and aromatic herbs like oregano and basil, these homemade meatballs are first browned to lock in their rich taste, then slow-cooked to perfection in a blanket of marinara sauce. With just 20 minutes of prep, your Crock Pot does all the work, creating perfectly seasoned meatballs that are ideal for serving over spaghetti, tucked into a toasty sub roll, or enjoyed as a party appetizer. This effortless recipe is a must-try for fans of slow-cooked Italian cuisine and is perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 0.5 lb ground pork
- 0.5 cup breadcrumbs
- 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 minced garlic cloves
- 1 large egg
- 2 tbsp milk
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cups marinara sauce
Instructions
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, egg, milk, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. Mix until fully incorporated but do not overwork the meat mixture.
Roll the mixture into evenly-sized meatballs, about 1.5 inches in diameter, and place them on a plate or tray.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Once hot, brown the meatballs in batches on all sides. This step helps seal in the flavors but does not need to fully cook the meatballs.
Add about 1 cup of marinara sauce to the bottom of the Crock Pot, spreading it out evenly.
Transfer the browned meatballs into the Crock Pot, arranging them in a single layer if possible.
Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the meatballs, ensuring they are fully submerged.
Set the Crock Pot to cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Avoid lifting the lid during the cooking process to retain heat.
Once done, gently stir to coat the meatballs with the sauce. Serve hot over spaghetti, in a sub roll, or as an appetizer with crusty bread.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
457 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 33.4 g | 43% | |
| Saturated Fat | 11.5 g | 57% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 116 mg | 39% | |
| Sodium | 785 mg | 34% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 12.7 g | 5% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.9 g | 7% | |
| Total Sugars | 4.3 g | ||
| Protein | 25.7 g | 51% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.3 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 125 mg | 10% | |
| Iron | 2.8 mg | 15% | |
| Potassium | 281 mg | 6% | |
*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.
