Crockpot Meatball Recipe

The easiest party appetizer on the planet is also the most delicious. Crockpot Meatballs with Grape Jelly Sauce is a lifesaver for hungry crowds and cocktail parties, so make a double batch!

To those who’ve never tasted the miracle of crockpot meatballs, the ingredients might sound unusual, but trust the recipe and the generations of hostesses who adore it. Plain old-fashioned grape jelly and Heinz chili sauce is the secret to tangy, smoky, unstoppable meatballs.

All you have to do is throw everything together and turn on the slow cooker. If you’re using frozen meatballs, add them to the crockpot right out of the freezer. And if you’re making your own, (bless you) there’s a great recipe down below for you to follow.

crockpot meatball recipe

Place ground beef, bread crumbs, onion, garlic, parsley, and egg in a large bowl; mix well until evenly combined, then shape into 16 meatballs. Pour spaghetti sauce and crushed tomatoes into the slow cooker; stir in tomato purée. Place the meatballs into the sauce mixture. Cover and cook on Low for 6 to 8 hours.

Crockpot Meatballs with Grape Jelly Sauce

crockpot meatball recipe

The easiest party appetizer on the planet is also the most delicious. Crockpot Meatballs with Grape Jelly Sauce is a lifesaver for hungry crowds and cocktail parties, so make a double batch!

Prep: 10min

Total: 220min

Yield: 16

Serving Size: 1 serving

Nutrition Facts: calories 220 kcal, Carbohydrate 16 g, Protein 10 g, Fat 12 g, Saturated Fat 4 g, Cholesterol 41 mg, Sodium 322 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 11 g, servingSize 1 serving

Ingredients:

  • 1 (32 ounce) bag frozen fully-cooked meatballs ((see notes to make meatballs from scratch))
  • 12 ounces chili sauce
  • 10 ounces grape jelly

Instruction:

  1. Add frozen meatballs to crockpot. Add chili sauce and grape jelly. Cover and cook for 2 to 3 hours on HIGH or 4 to 6 hours on LOW, until the sauce is hot. Serve directly from the crockpot with a serving spoon or toothpicks, or transfer to a serving dish.
  2. Add meatballs to saucepan. Add chili sauce and grape jelly. Cover and simmer over medium heat until the sauce is hot, about 10 minutes.

Crockpot Meatballs

crockpot meatball recipe

Juicy crockpot meatballs, no browning required! These healthy slow cooker meatballs use jarred sauce to keep the recipe quick and easy!

Prep: 25min

Total: 150min

Yield: 4

Serving Size: 1 (of 4), about 3 meatballs

Nutrition Facts: servingSize 1 (of 4), about 3 meatballs, calories 285 kcal, Carbohydrate 19 g, Protein 31 g, Fat 9 g, Saturated Fat 4 g, Trans Fat 0.4 g, Cholesterol 155 mg, Fiber 3 g, Sugar 8 g, unSaturated Fat 5 g

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tablespoons milk of choice (or water)
  • 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley (plus additional for serving)
  • 2 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan cheese (plus additional for serving)
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 (24-ounce) jar prepared tomato pasta sauce
  • 3 garlic cloves (minced (about 1 tablespoon))
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Cooked whole wheat pasta
  • Polenta
  • Instant Pot Brown Rice (or cauliflower rice)
  • Hoagie buns and Provolone cheese (for making a sub)

Instruction:

  1. Lightly coat the bottom of a 5-quarter or larger slow cooker with nonstick spray. In a large mixing bowl, place the beef, panko, milk, parsley, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and eggs. With a fork, break up the meat and stir the ingredients together until evenly combined.
  2. Gently form the mixture into 2-inch meatballs, being careful not to compact the meat. If the mixture is sticking to your hands, wet them slightly. Arrange them in a single layer in the bottom of the slow cooker. You’ll have about 12 meatballs total.
  3. Pour the pasta sauce over the top. Sprinkle evenly with the garlic and red pepper flakes.
  4. Cover the slow cooker and cook the meatballs on HIGH for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, until the meatballs are cooked through (slice one in half to check). With a spoon, gently turn the meatballs to coat them in the sauce and distribute the garlic and red pepper flakes.
  5. Sprinkle additional Parmesan and parsley on top, to taste. Serve as desired.

Crockpot Meatball Recipe

crockpot meatball recipe

Sweet + savory Crockpot Meatballs are packed with flavor, and perfect for parties. They are SO easy, yet SO tasty!

Prep: 5min

Total: 245min

Yield: 50

Serving Size: 1 meatball

Nutrition Facts: calories 41 kcal, Carbohydrate 10 g, Protein 0.2 g, Fat 0.03 g, Saturated Fat 0.01 g, Cholesterol 0.01 mg, Sodium 77 mg, Fiber 0.2 g, Sugar 8 g, servingSize 1 meatball, unSaturated Fat 0.02 g

Ingredients:

  • 1 (14-ounce) bottle ketchup
  • 1½ cups cold water
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 cup chili sauce
  • 1 cup red currant jelly (or grape or huckleberry jelly)
  • juice of 2 lemons
  • ½ teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 (32-ounce) bag frozen meatballs

Instruction:

  1. Combine ketchup, cold water, brown sugar, chili sauce, jelly, lemon juice and ginger in your slow cooker. Add frozen meatballs and stir so meatballs are coated in sauce.
  2. Cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 6–8 hours.

Meatballs Recipe | Crockpot Meals

FAQ

Why do my meatballs fall apart in the slow cooker?

There are a variety of reasons as to why your meatballs fall apart while cooking. If you do not add enough binding agent to the meat, this will cause the meat to fall apart. We also find that meat that has more fat also tend to fall apart if the correct amount of binding ingredients is not added.

What is the secret to meatballs?

Do You Put Raw Meatballs in Sauce to Cook? Although you can, I recommend browning the meatballs in a skillet with a little olive oil first. This creates a nice texture on the outside of the meatball, while allowing the middle to remain tender and juicy as it finishes cooking in the tomato sauce.

About the author

Helen is an author and editor at helenbackcafe.com, who has a passion for writing about recipes. She loves to experiment with different ingredients and cooking techniques to create delicious and unique dishes.

Among all the foods, pizza holds a special place in her heart, and she loves exploring different variations and toppings to create the perfect slice. Through her writing, Helen hopes to inspire others to get creative in the kitchen and share their love for food with the world.

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