Slow Cooked Meatballs
November 11th, 2010 § 25 Comments
I have often wondered whether the slow cooker is the answer to nearly every food-related question I have in life.
How can I walk in the door from work and have dinner waiting patiently to be plated?
How on Earth can I transform an inexpensive cut meat into something fall-apart-tender and juicy?
How can I avoid twelve dirty pans, pots, and mixing bowls? Who can I pay to clean them?
Can chocolate be slow cooked?
Why don’t all meals cook themselves?
No, really, can we slow cook chocolate?
And…well…I was mostly right. The slow cooker is the answer to nearly every food-related question I have, though, I have yet to work out the logistics on slow-cooked chocolate.
My most recent questions have been related to one of my top ten favorite foods: The Meatball.
Admittedly, I don’t think meatballs require too much tender loving care. They’re fairly self-sufficient. They’re dependable enough that just about any recipe, any variation, any ol’ thang will make my heart sing. Because I believe it’s the sauce that matters most. No meatball that’s worth a damn is without a marinara to match. (And the absolute best sauce, the far-and-wide find of my entire existence, the only sauce I can say is perfect with one hundred percent certainty and without batting one eye at all of my months spent living in Italy, is the sauce made by my stepfather, my dad, Paul.)
What I crave, at least once a week, are those rich, vibrant Italian flavors. The intoxicating smell of garlic and onions when they spit and sputter in a hot pan with olive oil. Basil and oregano. Sharp and salty parmesan. Sweet, sweet, sauced tomatoes.
It’s understood that the longer your sauce simmers, the more robust its flavor. The better and stronger the marriage of spices to tomatoes. And since we both know that the slow cooker is sure-fire succulence when it comes to meat, well…meatballs in the slow cooker just make sense.
Slowly simmered and cooked directly in your favorite marinara, these meatballs are simple. They’re perfectly moist and tender, while still holding on dearly to their cute round figure.
So friends, it’s not going to get much easier than this. It might not even get any better (until we figure out those logistics on slow cooking chocolate).
Slow Cooked Meatballs
This time, I used ground turkey because it was on sale at the market. Ground beef works just as well, if not better flavor-wise. Combine the meat with fresh bread crumbs, parmesan, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and milk. Use your hands to mix everything well. Be careful not to overwork your meat though, as that can lead to really tough, firm meatballs.
Form the mix into balls that are roughly 1 1/2″ in diameter. Any size will do.
Scatter your onion over the base of your slow cooker. These will soften and enhance the sauce as they cook.
Place the meatballs over the onions. Then pour two cups of your favorite homemade or store-bought marinara sauce evenly over everything. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, until the meatballs are tender and cooked through.
Slow Cooked Meatballs
(serves 4)
For the meatballs:
1 lb lean ground beef or turkey
½ cup fresh bread crumbs (1 slice of your favorite bread ground in a food processor)
1 tablespoon dried oregano
2 teaspoons fresh minced basil
¼ cup finely grated parmesan cheese
¼ tsp salt
½ tsp pepper
¼ cup milk
Remaining Ingredients:
½ large onion, chopped
16 oz (2 cups) of your favorite homemade or store-bought marinara sauce
Instructions:
Combine all meatball ingredients in a large bowl using your hands. Do not overmix. Roll the mixture into balls roughly 1 1/2″ in diameter.
Scatter the onion over the base of your slow cooker, followed by the meatballs. Pour the sauce evenly over the top, making sure to coat everything.
Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
These look delicious! I’ll have to make them when I’m home because my husband’s nervous about leaving an appliance plugged in all day.
Would still love to grab a cup of coffee sometime!
To answer your question… yes, you can cook chocolate in a slow cooker.
http://www.melskitchencafe.com/2010/09/slow-cooker-hot-fudge-peanut-butter-pudding-cake.html
This is so funny that you posted this today because I was just looking for more slow cooker recipes. However, I would so love if you started doing nothing but Thanksgiving recipes, cooking for the mother-in-law and I’m very nervous! I don’t know if I can trust some of the recipes out there!! But I trust you!! I have made quite a few of your recipes and they have all turned out delish!!
YAY!!! Chelsea, you read my mind! Starting on Monday, I’m posting nothing but Thanksgiving recipes- the whole shebang- everything from turkey to cranberry sauce to pie! Thanks for the fabulous support!!
Andrea
These look phenomenal. I dont know how you do it, but you always manage to make the things I dont normally like look fantastic. Right now, I desperately want a meatball!!
Leah, if you come to my house and eat meatballs you get a two for one deal: Dinner and me singing, “On top of spppaaaagghhheeeetttiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii, all covered in cheeeeeeese….I lost my poor meatball….when..” You get the idea.
Holy guacamole! That’s the best looking plate of meatballs I’ve ever seen, and I can’t believe they’re that easy to make. I’ve always baked my meatballs, and now you come up with this. Amazing! This is on my short list now. Thanks for sharing them. I feel like you just gave me the winning lottery numbers!
Thanks Jeanne!!
Meatballs look great and I printed out the Passion Cookie recipe from yesterday. My husband will LOVE those.
If you want chocolate in the CP, check out recipes for Triple Chocolate Mess (yes, that’s really the name.) To say that it’s amazing is an understatement.
Oh wow, Marna…Triple chocolate mess…unbelievable!
Yum, yum and yum. I’ve never thought to do them in the crock pot! I usually sear them so they are nice and crunchy on the outside, then nestle them in my sauce to finish cooking.
Can you believe my Italian husband doesn’t like meatballs that much? WTF?!
WHAT?! He doesn’t like meatballs?! I love the idea of searing them and then letting them finish by simmering in the sauce!!
This looks so easy. I will definitely try it. My boys will be all over it.
What lovely smells to come home to! (by the way, my bird Baby sings on Top of Spaghetti!!)
How fabulous is that song, M.J.?!
I live for slow cooker recipes! I’ve never done slowcooker MEATBALLS, def must try this!
I never thought of making meatballs in the slow cooker. What a great idea!
I’ve never tried to slow cook my meatballs.. I shall. Thank you. I also combine meats.. ground turkey or chicken or beef. A little of each, a lot of one, etc… great flavors. Thanks for all your humor too.. love it!
Hi Judy! You know, I’d never combined the meats before, but recently, I had some meatballs with pork and I could totally tell what a delicious difference the meat made. I’ll have to start adding it! Thanks!
1. I love the way you write, it is so intimate and entertaining.
2. You always have the best tips hidden in these posts that non-cooks like me juuusssttt don’t know.
3. there never is a 3.
Thank you!
These look super yummy! I’ve been looking for a meatball recipe (never made them before! stage fright) and more slow cooker recipes, so this is the best of both worlds! Thank you for sharing – I hope mine turn out yummy.
Looks yummy – wondering what the conversion would be if you were to cook these on high instead of low?
Yum, making these soon! My little sister tried this recipe and liked them.
These look SO good! I had a quick question. If I doubled this recipe, would the cooking time be the same? I have 4 children. I double EVERY recipe!
Hey! No, the cooking time remains the same
Hope you like them!
Andie