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

Scale

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