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Slow Cooker Italian Beef Meatballs

These succulent meatballs are simmered to perfection in a rich marinara sauce, creating an irresistible dish for any occasion.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 250
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Meatballs
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1/2 cup bread crumbs Use day-old bread for a firmer texture.
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley Consider swapping with basil for a different flavor.
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
For the Sauce
  • 1 jar marinara sauce (24 ounces)

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Begin by gathering all your ingredients.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, egg, minced garlic, and Italian seasoning. Mix with your hands until everything is well incorporated, but be careful not to overmix.
  3. Roll the mixture into uniform-sized meatballs, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter, and place each meatball on a plate.
  4. Pour half of the marinara sauce into the bottom of the slow cooker.
  5. Place the meatballs on top of the sauce in the slow cooker. Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the top to cover the meatballs.
Cooking
  1. Cover and cook on low for about 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the meatballs are cooked through and tender.
Serving
  1. Once cooked, carefully scoop the meatballs out of the sauce and serve with your favorite pasta, in a sub sandwich, or on a bed of sautéed vegetables.

Notes

For a Halal-friendly alternative, consider using ground turkey or chicken. To avoid soggy meatballs, allow them to rest for a few minutes after cooking.