Description
These made from scratch Italian slow cooker meatballs are juicy, packed with so much flavor, and loved by the entire family! This family favorite dish is easy to prep in the morning and perfect to serve over pasta, buckwheat, in meatball subs, or with your favorite side!
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Meatballs:
- 1/2 lb lean ground beef
- 1/2 lb ground pork
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 small sweet onion, finely grated on a box greater
- 1 large egg
- 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, finely shredded or grated
- 2 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
For the sauce:
- 28 oz Italian crushed tomatoes with basil
- 2 Tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
To garnish:
- Parmesan cheese, shredded
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone baking mat (silpat).
- In a large mixing bowl combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, grated onion, egg, cheese, chopped parsley, black pepper, sea salt, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Gently mix everything together with your hands or spatula. Do not over-mix.
- Shape the meat into balls about 1 1/2 inches in diameter and arrange on the baking sheet. Broil for 9 minutes or until they have nice golden color. Watch carefully so they don’t burn.
- While meatballs are broiling, combine the sauce ingredients in the slow cooker. Whisk together the tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, Italian seasoning, and a pinch of salt and pepper (to taste).
- Add meatballs to the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours.
- Garnish with Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley and serve over your favorite pasta or buckwheat. Enjoy!
Notes
- After cooling, place in an airtight container and refrigerate the meatballs to enjoy within 3-4 days. You may also place them in a freezer bag or freezer-safe container to freeze for up to 3 months.
- I love to double this recipe to have extra leftovers since they reheat beautifully.
- If you want a sauce with a deeper flavor (for instance, if you are having these for a special occasion), add 1/4 cup good quality red wine to the sauce. Only use sweeter, less acidic red wine such as Bordeaux.
- I like to use my favorite dry Italian seasoning, but you can also use a combination of dried oregano and dried basil.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 5 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow cooker
- Cuisine: American, Italian