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Snacks and Appetizers

Grandma’s Italian Style Slow Cooker Meatballs Recipe

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I turned my grandma’s original into these awesome Slow Cooker Meatballs. Italian style slow cooker meatballs make a great appetizer, main course, or go along with spaghetti or other Italian dishes. Be sure to pin this meatball recipe and add it to your list of party foods on game day.

Slow Cooker Meatballs Recipe

Italian Style Slow Cooker Meatballs

Are you ready for some foooooootball?? I am. Da Bears, baby! Which means friends and fam piling in, yelling at the TV, good eats, fun drinks. And, if you’re not, that’s totes OK too. You can still make my meatballs. These Slow Cooker Meatballs make Uh.Maze.Ing appetizers or are perfect over pasta. Maybe even a great sub sandwich! Just a bit of prep work, then set it and forget it. Personally, I ate four out of the pot before they even hit the table. Don’t tell.

 Slow Cooker Meatballs Ingredients

More game day appetizers to make:

Yield: 50 meatballs

Slow Cooker Meatballs Recipe

Slow Cooker Meatballs Recipe | Feather Pixels Blog

Make slow cooker meatballs as an appetizer, for meatball sandwiches, or to serve over pasta. 

Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 40 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs ground beef, I used 90/10
  • 12 oz Italian sausage, buy bulk or remove from casing -spicy, mild, pick your favorite!
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 1/4 cup Italian bread crumbs
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
  • 1/2 tsp garlic, super fine fresh mince or powder
  • 2 tsp salt, or adjust to taste
  • 2 tsp pepper, to taste
  • 48 oz marinara sauce, 2 jars

Instructions

  1. Pre-heat oven to *425.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine beef, sausage, eggs, breadcrumbs, cheese, garlic, salt and pepper.
  3. Now, I take off my rings and really get in there good and mix with my hands. It's how grandma did it, so it's how I do it. Don't worry, there's plenty of soap and water to wash up!
  4. This makes 45-50 meatballs so you'll want to lightly spray 2 baking sheets. To form meatballs you can either eyeball and roll the size of golf balls or use a small ice cream scoop. Either way, you want them all to be the same size.
  5. Drop on baking sheets about 1 inch apart.
  6. Place on top rack of oven.
  7. Bake for 10 minutes, flipping each over 1/2 way through. You just want to make sure the outsides are browned. They will finish cooking in slow cooker.
  8. Go ahead and set the slow cooker on low. When meatballs are browned, place them in your slow cooker and cover completely with sauce.
  9. Cover and let those babies cook for 4 hours.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

50

Serving Size:

1 meatball
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 114Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 38mgSodium: 353mgCarbohydrates: 5gFiber: 1gSugar: 2gProtein: 8g

Nutrition facts are an estimate only.

Cuisine: Italian / Category: Snacks and Appetizers

Slow Cooker Meatballs Directions

These meatballs will fill your house with a wonderful aroma while cooking in the slow cooker!

Slow Cooker Meatballs

These are great for any party appetizer. Just poke each with a fancy, schmancy toothpick and your guests are set.

To serve as a main dish, plop a few on some pasta or make some awesome meatballs subs. We make a whole batch and freeze about 1/2 of them prior to cooking and come out with 2 great family meals. ENJOY!

Next time you’re watching the Bears, think of me. I’ll be popping a few in my mouth right along with ya!

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Have you ever made Slow Cooker Meatballs?


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Comments

  4. I love that you mix half sausage, half ground beef. What a great idea! And crock pot meals are always amazing. Thanks for sharing!

  5. I have not made meatballs in years but never in the slow cooker. I am going to have to try though because those look amazing!

  6. I am always looking for new ways to use the slow cooker. I love this idea. Every member of our family loves meatballs.

  8. There’s nothing like some great homemade meatballs. I have never tried making them in the slow cooker before.

  15. This looks really good. I’ll have to make this this weekend. I’ve been living off of PB&J for too long…

  21. You can never have too many meatballs! I have to try to find a way to make them paleo – but these look delicious!

  22. slow cooker and meatballs! this is something i make for almost every event. the food stays warm, i put out a big basket of fresh buns and everyone is happy.

  24. Those look really delicious. My oldest has been asking me to make meatballs for a while now. Maybe I’ll make her some tonight? The entire family would actually be happy I did. These don’t seem like that much work to whip up.

  26. This looks really tasty and really easy. Those are my two main needs when I’m cooking. You can’t beat a good crock pot recipe.

  30. Love LOVE LOVE this!!! I make mine in a slow cooker in the winter months as well!!! This looks really terrific!! Thanks so much for linking these with us at #foodiefridays!!!! Have a terrific weekend!

  32. I love slow cookers, and the Bears! Too bad they aren’t doing so well this season…. as a Cubs fan, I’m used to saying there is always next year, but I never wanted to say it about the Bears. Oh well!! Anyway, adding this to my to-make list and sharing! Thank you for sharing this at #FoodieFridays! DA BEARS!

  33. I am always looking for slow cooker recipes and this one looks delish. Thank you!

    Big Texas Hugs,
    Susan and Bentley

  35. Yum! These look wonderful, I love making meatballs in the slow cooker. Visiting from Say G’Day Saturday 🙂

  38. Yum! This looks so good and pretty too! 🙂 Please come share your blog posts over at the Home Matters Linky Party! We’d love to have you for a visit. The Door is OPEN! 🙂

    ~Lorelai
    Life With Lorelai

  39. What a great idea! I’m always looking for good slow cooker meals! Thank you for sharing!

    suzy

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