Tender Crock Pot Meatballs Sauce
Slow-cooked to perfection, this Tender Crock Pot Meatballs Sauce recipe is a true comfort food classic that combines savory flavors with effortless preparation. Juicy homemade meatballs made from a blend of ground beef and pork are seasoned with fragrant herbs like oregano and basil, enriched with Parmesan cheese, and browned to seal in their flavors. They’re then simmered in a robust, homemade tomato sauce infused with garlic, onion, and a hint of sweetness from brown sugar. The best part? The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting, melding the flavors over hours into a rich, hearty dish. Ideal for busy weeknights or cozy gatherings, serve these tender meatballs over pasta, rice, or with crusty bread to soak up every last drop of sauce. This easy crock pot recipe promises big flavor with minimal effort!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 0.5 pound ground pork
- 0.5 cup breadcrumbs
- 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese
- 0.25 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes (canned)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, milk, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, basil, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently with your hands until just combined. Do not overmix.
Using your hands or a small scoop, form the mixture into meatballs about 1-1.5 inches in diameter and place them on a plate or tray.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the meatballs in batches, browning them on all sides. They do not need to be fully cooked as they will finish cooking in the crock pot. Transfer browned meatballs to a plate and set aside.
In the same skillet, sauté the chopped onion until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Turn off the heat.
In the crock pot, add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, brown sugar, dried parsley, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir to combine.
Add the sautéed onion and garlic mixture to the sauce in the crock pot and stir well.
Gently place the browned meatballs into the sauce, ensuring they are mostly submerged.
Cover the crock pot and cook on low heat for 4-5 hours or on high heat for 2-3 hours, until the meatballs are fully cooked and the sauce is rich and flavorful.
Serve the meatballs and sauce over pasta, rice, or with crusty bread. Garnish with additional Parmesan cheese or fresh parsley if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
432 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 28.4 g | 36% | |
| Saturated Fat | 10.2 g | 51% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 113 mg | 38% | |
| Sodium | 671 mg | 29% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 20.4 g | 7% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.4 g | 12% | |
| Total Sugars | 8.6 g | ||
| Protein | 25.6 g | 51% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.4 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 117 mg | 9% | |
| Iron | 3.4 mg | 19% | |
| Potassium | 655 mg | 14% | |
*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.
