Go Back
A bowl of delicious crockpot meatballs covered in sauce and garnished with fresh herbs.

Classic Crockpot Meatballs

These classic crockpot meatballs are made with ground beef and slowly simmered in a rich marinara sauce, perfect for a cozy meal or entertaining.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 20 minutes
Servings 6 people
Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

  • Large bowl
  • Large skillet
  • Slow cooker
  • Whisk

Ingredients
  

For the Meatballs:

  • 1.5 lbs ground beef (80/20 or 85/15 recommended for flavor)
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
  • 1/4 cup milk (any kind)
  • 1 large egg beaten
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped onion (or 1 tbsp onion powder)
  • 2 garlic, minced (or 1 tsp garlic powder)
  • 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 2 tbsp olive oil (for searing, optional)

For the Sauce:

  • 24 oz jarred marinara sauce (your favorite brand)
  • 15 oz can crushed tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup beef broth
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar (optional, balances acidity)
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • red pepper flakes (optional, for a little kick)

Instructions
 

Meatball Preparation

  • In a large bowl, gently combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper; do not overmix.
  • Roll the mixture into approximately 20-24 meatballs, each about 1.5 inches in size.

Searing (Optional)

  • Heat olive oil in a skillet and sear meatballs in batches for 2-3 minutes per side until browned, then transfer to the slow cooker; skip this step and place raw meatballs directly if preferred.

Sauce and Slow Cooking

  • Whisk together marinara sauce, crushed tomatoes, beef broth, brown sugar (optional), basil, oregano, and red pepper flakes (optional) in a separate bowl.
  • Pour the sauce over the meatballs in the slow cooker, cover, and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours until tender and cooked through.

Notes

For extra flavor, consider adding a bay leaf to the sauce while it simmers. Serve these meatballs over pasta, with crusty bread, or as appetizers with toothpicks. Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days and can be frozen for longer storage.