Description

This Easy Slow Cooker Beef Meatballs in Marinara is a comforting and hands-off meal perfect for busy days. Tender meatballs infused with grated onion, garlic, and parmesan slowly cook in rich marinara sauce, creating a flavorful dish that pairs beautifully with pasta or crusty bread. The slow cooker method ensures juicy, melt-in-your-mouth meatballs with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale

Meatballs

1 small yellow onion (ends removed and peeled)
1 large egg
2 cloves garlic (minced)
⅓ cup Italian breadcrumbs
⅓ cup finely grated parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 ½ pounds 90% lean ground beef

Marinara Sauce

3 cups marinara sauce

For Serving

Freshly grated parmesan cheese
Chopped basil

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Instructions

Grate the onion: Place a box grater into a large bowl and use the largest holes to grate the peeled yellow onion directly into the bowl, releasing moisture and sweetness that will infuse the meatballs.
Combine wet and dry ingredients: Add the egg to the grated onion and whisk until fully combined. Add the minced garlic, Italian breadcrumbs, grated parmesan cheese, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Mix thoroughly to evenly distribute all ingredients.
Incorporate the beef: Gently add the ground beef to the mixture and carefully mix by hand until the breadcrumb-cheese mixture is blended throughout the meat. Be careful not to overwork the meat or the meatballs can become tough. Form the mixture into 24 uniform meatballs, each approximately 1 ½ ounces.
Prepare slow cooker: Pour half of the marinara sauce (1 ½ cups) into the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker to create a sauce bed for the meatballs.
Layer meatballs: Slowly place the prepared meatballs in a single layer on top of the sauce, making sure they don’t overlap to ensure even cooking.
Add remaining sauce: Gently pour the remaining 1 ½ cups of marinara sauce over the meatballs carefully to avoid stirring or disrupting their shape so they remain intact during cooking.
Cook meatballs: Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours. Meatballs should be tender and cooked through when done.
Serve: Garnish the cooked meatballs with freshly grated parmesan cheese and chopped basil. Serve warm alongside spaghetti, crusty bread, or your favorite sides.

Notes

Do not overmix the meat to keep the meatballs tender.
Ensure meatballs are in a single layer in the slow cooker for even cooking.
Use fresh marinara sauce or store-bought marinara for convenience.
Reheat leftovers gently in the slow cooker or on the stovetop to keep meatballs moist.
Try serving with pasta, polenta, or a green salad for a complete meal.