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Slow Cooker Italian Sausage Meatballs – A dreamy and hearty, comfort-style slow cooker for this fall/winter season! These slow cooker Italian meatballs in tomato parmesan sauce make for an amazing keto, paleo, and Whole30 compliant dinner with very little prep and ready to be ladled onto cauliflower rice, zucchini noodles, or even low carb/keto bread sub sandwiches. These meatballs in the slow cooker are too good NOT to be on rotation!
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Ingredients list for the Slow Cooker Italian Sausage Meatballs
- 1 lb (450g) Italian sausage meat
- 1/2 lb (225g) ground beef
- 1 cup grated Parmesan, divided
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and fresh cracked black pepper
- 1 can crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup beef or vegetable stock
- 1/2 teaspoon Cayenne pepper, optional
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Fresh chopped parsley
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Directions
1. To make the slow cooker meatballs: In a large bowl, combine sausage meat with ground beef, parsley, 1/2 cup parmesan, 1/2 tablespoon Italian seasoning, and black pepper. Using a spoon or cookie scoop, form golf-sized balls and set them aside on a plate.
2. In a skillet over medium-head, add a tablespoon olive oil and quickly brown meatballs on all sides. Transfer the meatballs to the slow cooker insert.
3. Add the sauce ingredients (tomato sauce, beef or vegetable stock, Italian seasoning, Cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, 1/2 cup parmesan, and parsley) over the meatballs and give a good stir. Cover and cook on high for 2-3 hours or low for 4 hours.
4. Serve the slow cooker Italian meatballs hot, with freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top of cauliflower rice, or zucchini noodles. Enjoy!
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Tips for the slow cooker meatballs recipe
This meatball recipe in the slow cooker rivals that of your favorite Italian restaurant! These crockpot Italian meatballs always come out tender, flavorful, never dry and they’re always sure to impress! Here are a few tips to make them even better:
- Use a blend of meats for the best flavor. We use beef and Italian sausage (pork) because is very accessible at a reasonable price, with the benefit of having the sausage meat already seasoned, which is good if you don’t have all the spices on hand. You can also try to mix beef with veal and pork or make your meatballs with chicken and/or turkey.
- You don’t need extra-lean meat, stick with 80 or 85% lean, otherwise, the meatballs will end up dry.
- Shape the meatballs with lightly greased hands. This way the meatballs don’t stick to your fingers.
- Feel free to adjust the amounts of spices to your liking.
- You might have to brown the meatballs in batches since you’ll have no chance at a good sear if the meatballs are crowding the skillet. Searing the meatballs before slow cooking gives a nice crust that is full of flavor. Plus, it helps the meatballs stay together while cooking in the crockpot.
What to serve with the slow-cooked Italian meatballs?
If you stick to a low-carb/keto diet, serve the meatballs on top of cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles. For a gluten-free diet: white or brown rice will be awesome. And of course, these slow cooker meatballs wouldn’t be 100% Italian if you don’t try them with pasta!
How and how long to keep the slow cooker meatballs leftovers?
You can keep the slow cooker meatballs in an airtight container for up to 2 days in your refrigerator. Reheat gently in the microwave (50% power) or on the stovetop in a covered pot over low heat, adding a few drops of water to loosen the sauce, and tossing occasionally until heated through. You can also freeze the meatballs for up to 3 months. Simply thaw overnight then reheat as directed above.
More meatball recipes you might like
- Cheesy Meatballs Casserole {Low Carb}
- Garlic Butter Turkey Meatballs with Lemon Zucchini Noodles
- Meal Prep Garlic Butter Chicken Meatballs with Cauliflower Rice
- Baked Turkey Meatballs with Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
