Easy Crockpot Meatballs
Tender, juicy ground beef meatballs slow-cooked in a savory-sweet sauce for maximum flavor with minimal effort. Perfect for gatherings, family dinners, or weeknight meals. Served over rice, pasta, or bread for a satisfying dish.
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Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 450kcal
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 24 ounces marinara sauce
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Mix ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper in a large bowl until combined.
- Shape mixture into 1.5-inch meatballs and place on parchment-lined baking sheets.
- Bake for 12 minutes until lightly browned, then transfer to a large crockpot.
- In a bowl, mix marinara sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, garlic, and tomato paste. Pour over meatballs.
- Cook on low for 4-5 hours or high for 2-3 hours until fully heated through. Serve warm.
Notes
Browning before cooking enhances flavor. Adjust sauce sweetness by adding more vinegar or sugar.
Recipe scales easily for larger batches. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours. Do not freeze meatballs after baking to avoid texture changes.
Recipe scales easily for larger batches. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours. Do not freeze meatballs after baking to avoid texture changes.
Nutrition
Serving: 4g | Calories: 450kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 36g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 110mg | Sodium: 800mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 12g