Slow Cooker Meatballs: Easy Party Snack Recipe
Introduction
Slow cooker meatballs make an effortless and crowd-pleasing party snack. They’re tender, flavorful, and perfect for serving warm with your favorite dipping sauce or bread. This recipe is versatile and easy to customize to your taste.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef (or turkey, chicken, or a mix)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (Italian or plain)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 tablespoon dried parsley)
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup marinara sauce (or your favorite pasta sauce)
- 1/4 cup barbecue sauce (optional for a sweet twist)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar (optional for sweetness)
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for heat)
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, egg, minced garlic, onion powder, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Mix until well combined. Roll the mixture into meatballs about 1 inch in diameter and place them on a baking sheet.
- Step 2: (Optional) Heat a skillet over medium heat and brown the meatballs on all sides for extra flavor.
- Step 3: In a bowl, combine marinara sauce, barbecue sauce (if using), Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, and red pepper flakes. Stir until well mixed.
- Step 4: Place the meatballs in the slow cooker and pour the sauce over them, ensuring they are well coated. Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, until the meatballs are cooked through and tender.
- Step 5: Stir the meatballs gently in the sauce and serve warm. Use toothpicks for easy snacking or serve with crusty bread for dipping.
Tips & Variations
- For a lighter option, substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken.
- Adding a quick browning step enhances meatball flavor but can be skipped for convenience.
- Mix in your favorite herbs like basil or oregano for different flavor notes.
- Serve with a spicy aioli or ranch dressing to add variety to dipping sauces.
- Make mini meatballs for easier party snacking and quicker cooking.
Storage
Store leftover meatballs and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a saucepan over low heat or in the microwave until warmed through. Meatballs can also be frozen for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use frozen meatballs instead of fresh?
Yes, frozen meatballs can be used. Just add extra cooking time in the slow cooker to ensure they heat through thoroughly.
Is it necessary to brown the meatballs before slow cooking?
No, browning is optional. It adds extra flavor and texture, but you can skip this step to save time. The slow cooker will still make tender, delicious meatballs.
Print
Slow Cooker Meatballs: Easy Party Snack Recipe
- Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes to 6 hours 20 minutes (depending on cooking speed)
- Yield: Approximately 20 meatballs, serves 6-8 as an appetizer 1x
Description
These Slow Cooker Meatballs make an easy and delicious party snack, perfect for gatherings or casual meals. Made with ground beef and a blend of flavorful herbs and spices, the meatballs are slow-cooked in a savory marinara and barbecue sauce mixture, resulting in tender, juicy bites packed with rich flavor. This recipe is versatile and customizable, allowing you to add a sweet or spicy twist using optional ingredients.
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
- 1 pound ground beef (or turkey, chicken, or a mix)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (Italian or plain)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 tablespoon dried parsley)
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
For the Sauce:
- 1 cup marinara sauce (or your favorite pasta sauce)
- 1/4 cup barbecue sauce (optional for a sweet twist)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar (optional for sweetness)
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for heat)
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatballs: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, egg, minced garlic, onion powder, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Mix until all ingredients are evenly incorporated. Roll the mixture into meatballs approximately 1 inch in diameter and place them on a baking sheet for easy handling.
- Brown the Meatballs (Optional): Heat a skillet over medium heat and brown the meatballs on all sides to develop extra flavor and texture. This step can be skipped for a more hands-off approach, but browning adds a nice caramelized taste.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a separate bowl, mix together marinara sauce, barbecue sauce (if using), Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, and red pepper flakes. Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined to create a flavorful sauce with a balance of sweet, tangy, and spicy notes.
- Cook the Meatballs: Place the meatballs into the slow cooker, then pour the prepared sauce evenly over them to coat. Cover and cook on low heat for 4 to 6 hours, or on high heat for 2 to 3 hours, until the meatballs are fully cooked through and tender.
- Serve: Gently stir the meatballs in the sauce to coat them before serving. Serve warm, ideally with toothpicks for easy snacking at parties, or alongside crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
Notes
- Browning the meatballs before slow cooking enhances flavor but is optional for quicker preparation.
- For a sweeter sauce, add barbecue sauce and brown sugar; omit them for a classic marinara flavor.
- Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to control the heat level to your preference.
- Ground turkey or chicken can be used instead of beef for a leaner option.
- These meatballs freeze well, so consider making a double batch to store for later.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 to 6 hours on low or 2 to 3 hours on high
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American-Italian
Keywords: slow cooker meatballs, party snack meatballs, easy meatballs, slow cooker appetizer, meatballs recipe, barbecue meatballs, marinara meatballs
