Perfect for a weeknight dinner served over pasta or with toothpicks at tailgating party!

Simply Recipes / Alison Bickel

Meatballs should be two things: juicy and flavorful.

This recipe meets both criteria, and the best part is, you make them in the slow cooker.

Best Slow cooker italian meatballs in tomato sauce piled onto a white serving platter with a spoon.

Simply Recipes / Alison Bickel

it’s possible for you to expect to get about 35 to 40 golf ball-sized meatballs.

), or feed an army for Sunday supper.

My kids are 8 and 10 years old, and it wasnt too spicy for them.

Meatballs in a slow cooker filled with tomato sauce with a spoon lifting a meatball out of the sauce.

Simply Recipes / Alison Bickel

The meatballs stay juicy even after the long simmer in the sauce without the extra fat.

The lower fat content still makes tender, flavorful meatballs because the fat thatisthere doesnt really cook off.

I can easily find one-pound packages of ground Italian turkey sausage at my local supermarket.

A bowl of meatballs with a platter of meatballs behind it.

Simply Recipes / Alison Bickel

If you cant find either, just grab some Italian pork sausage.

If its in the casings, just remove them and mix the ground sausage in with the beef.

This is totally fine, just stir it into the sauce before serving.

Best Slow cooker italian meatballs in tomato sauce piled onto a white serving platter with a spoon.

Simply Recipes / Alison Bickel

It adds flavor, and that little bit of fat shouldnt make the sauce greasy.

Whats the Best Cheese for Meatballs?

verify you use the small holes on your grater.

Tomato suace, herbs and onions in a slow cooker for tomato sauce with slow cooker meatballs.

Alison Bickel

Tips for Shaping Meatballs

These meatballs be quite sticky.

you’re able to cook them on high for 5 hours or low for 8 to 10 hours.

There’s no need to pre-cook or brown the meatballsyou can add them directly to the slow cooker.

Tomato suace, herbs and onions being stirred together in a slow cooker for tomato sauce with slow cooker meatballs.

Alison Bickel

Youll be happy to have some for later.

When youre planning dinner, just take them out and let them thaw for 48 hours in your refrigerator.

Then reheat them in a saucepan or skillet over medium heat.

Adding milk to a bowl of breadcrumbs to make meatballs.

Alison Bickel

What can I say?

Give it a quick stir to combine everything.

In a medium-sized bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and milk.

Milk and bread crumbs combined.

Alison Bickel

Mix it all together with a fork.

Add the beef and turkey.

Use your hands to mix everything together just enough to combine.

Eggs, breadcrumbs, herbs and cheese in a bowl.

Alison Bickel

These can be quite sticky.

If you keep your hands wet with water, it is much easier to roll the meat into balls.

Alternatively, you might use a small #40 cookie scoop.

Eggs, breadcrumbs, herbs and cheese in a bowl being stirred together.

Alison Bickel

I like to make meatballs that are a little smaller than a golf ball.

Repeat until all the meatballs are made.

Some of the meatballs will not be submerged in the sauce.

Eggs, breadcrumbs, herbs and cheese in a bowl being stirred together with two different kinds of meat to make slow cooker meatballs.

Alison Bickel

They will fall into the sauce as they cook.

If the sauce has some fat floating on the top, just stir it in.

Scooping meatballs with an ice cream scoop and dropping them into a slow cooker filled with tomato sauce.

Alison Bickel

Meatballs in a slow cooker filled with tomato sauce.

Alison Bickel

Meatballs in a slow cooker filled with tomato sauce.

Alison Bickel