Easy Slow Cooker Meatballs Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Where I make a small commission on purchased items, at no extra cost to you. See my disclosure for details.

(This post has been updated from the original January 2018 version to provide a better experience for you)

Want to know how to make the world’s easiest EVER slow cooker meatballs? These bad boys don’t even require any precooking! So whether it’s because it’s too hot to put the oven on, you simply don’t have the time, or you just want an easy family recipe with zero fuss. This slow cooker meatballs recipe fits the bill perfectly every single time.

Building up your slow cooker recipe armoury? You should absolutely check out my easy slow cooker chicken curry recipe and slow cooker mongolian beef recipe too!

I don’t know about you but I always struggle to reign it back to solely healthy food. I’m definitely a comfort food kind of gal!

These beautiful slow cooker meatballs are exactly that but with a hidden healthy twist… they’re made using turkey mince! Much leaner, much healthier but all the comfort and all the flavour. (A bit like my tasty turkey meatballs recipe.)

Slow cooker meatballs are ridiculously versatile. They’re literally perfect for almost any occasion! As I said before, if it’s too hot to switch the oven on? Slow cooker meatballs. No time to make dinner? Slow cooker meatballs. In desperate need of an easy Winter warmer? Slow cooker meatballs! They’re a guaranteed midweek meal winner every time.

Looking for more of a weekend meal? Try this slow-cooker turkey breast with gravy! A delicious Sunday roast variation.

Slow Cooker Meatballs Recipe Tips

• Make sure you chill the meatballs before you put them in the slow cooker. This firms them up and stops them from falling apart during cooking.
• Note that if you want to switch out the turkey for another meat, remember turkey is lean and has next to no fat. Other meats do which means there will be added fat/grease in the sauce once cooked.
• Want to stock up your freezer? Divide the meatballs between freezer bags (ensuring each meatball is covered in the sauce) allow to cool completely then freeze to use at a later date.
• Try and chop the onion as finely as you can. Big chunks of onion can cause the meatballs to fall apart during cooking.
• Make sure you mix the meatball mixture really well to ensure even distribution of all the ingredients. (Especially the seasoning!)

Easy Slow Cooker Meatballs – Step by Step Picture Recipe

*Please Note Chilling Time For The Meatballs Before Starting This Recipe*

Here is what you will need to make 14-16 large meatballs/serve 4 (as a main with a side.)

Ingredients

For the meatballs

• 1 Small Onion, Finely Diced
• 2 Garlic Cloves, Minced
• 3 tbsp Fresh Parsley, Chopped
• 450g Turkey Mince
• 90g Dried Breadcrumbs
• 2 tsp Dried Italian Herbs
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1 Small Egg, Beaten

For the sauce

• 1 x 400g Tin of Chopped Tomatoes
• 750g Jar of Pasta/Bolognese Sauce
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1 tsp Dried Italian Herbs

To serve (optional)

• Cooked Pasta or Rice

Essential equipment

• 3.5 litre Slow Cooker

Instructions

To get started – first add all the meatball ingredients into a large bowl and give it a really good mix with a fork.

Then roll heaped tablespoons of the mixture into balls and place on a baking tray. Cover with cling film and pop into the fridge to chill for at least 1-2 hours or overnight if you have the time. (Overnight is better for flavour as well as firming the meatballs – preventing them from falling apart in the sauce.)

Next mix together all the sauce ingredients in the slow cooker.

Then place in the meatballs, put on the lid and cook on low for 6-8 hours until the meatballs are cooked through.

It is really that easy!! You can serve these gorgeous Slow Cooker Meatballs straight away alongside some cooked pasta or rice, or you can even freeze them in plastic tubs/freezer bags for a later date.

The choice is entirely yours. If you’re feeling fancy you can scatter over a little more chopped fresh parsley just before serving.

This really is an incredibly easy recipe. I’ve been put off by a lot of slow cooker meatball recipes in the past as they all say you need to precook the meatballs… too much like hard work to me!

When it comes to slow cooking, I’m very much of the opinion that I just want to throw everything in, put the lid on and forget about it until it’s done. I don’t have the time or patience to be faffing with tons of prep or precooking – do you?

This recipe is absolutely perfect for those (like me) that are short on time and have a family to feed! It definitely helps that it tastes incredible too…

Loved This Recipe? Pin It!

Continue to Content

Easy Slow Cooker Meatballs - Printable Recipe

Yield: 4 Servings

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Additional Time: 7 hours

Total Time: 7 hours 15 minutes

This is the easiest EVER slow cooker meatballs recipe! No precooking required, just roll up the balls, chill them and dump them in the slow cooker!

Print

Ingredients

For the Meatballs

• 1 Small Onion, Finely Diced
• 2 Garlic Cloves, Minced
• 3 tbsp Fresh Parsley, Chopped
• 450 g Turkey Mince
• 90 g Dried Breadcrumbs
• 2 tsp Dried Italian Herbs
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1 Small Egg, Beaten

For the Sauce

• 1 400g Tin of Chopped Tomatoes
• 750 g Jar of Pasta/Bolognese Sauce *
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1 tsp Dried Italian Herbs
• Cooked Pasta or Rice, To Serve (Optional)

Essential Equipment

• 3.5 litre Slow Cooker

Instructions

1. Add all the meatball ingredients into a large bowl and give it a very good mix with a fork.
2. Roll heaped tablespoons of the mixture into balls and place on a baking tray. Cover with cling film & chill for at least 1-2 hours. (Overnight is better for flavour as well as firming the meatballs as it prevents them from falling apart)
3. Next mix together all the sauce ingredients in the slow cooker bowl.
4. Put the meatballs into the sauce, pop on the lid and cook on low for 6-8 hours until the meatballs are cooked through. 

Notes

*I used Dolmio Intense Onion & Garlic

Serve the meatballs straight away alongside some cooked pasta or rice, or you can freeze them in plastic tubs/freezer bags for a later date. Scatter over some chopped fresh parsley just before serving.

 

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

• 
  Morphy Richards Slow Cooker Sear and Stew 460012 3.5L Black Slowcooker
• 
  Pyrex Glass Mixing Bowl Set 3 Piece

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 616Total Fat: 25gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 158mgSodium: 2265mgCarbohydrates: 57gFiber: 7gSugar: 14gProtein: 39g

Nutritional information on kitchenmason.com should only be used as a general guideline, I am not a certified nutritionist. Please always check labels for allergens where applicable.

Did you make this recipe?

I'd love to hear about it! Please leave a comment on the blog or tag me on Instagram.