This Costco Meatballs Crockpot Recipe is an easy and savory recipe, which is made with ground beef and spaghetti sauce. It’s the perfect party appetizer, ready in about 8 hours and 15 minutes.
Jump to RecipeCostco Meatballs Crockpot Recipe Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds ground beef
- 1 ¼ cups Italian seasoned bread crumbs
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1 (28 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce
- 1 (16 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (14.25 ounce) can tomato puree
How To Make Costco Meatballs Crockpot Recipe
- Mix and Shape Meatballs: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, Italian bread crumbs, chopped onion, minced garlic, fresh parsley, and beaten egg. Use your hands to mix well until evenly combined, but be careful not to overwork the meat. Shape the mixture into 16 uniform meatballs.
- Combine Sauce and Add Meatballs: Pour the spaghetti sauce, crushed tomatoes, and tomato puree into the insert of a slow cooker and stir to combine. Gently place the raw meatballs into the sauce mixture.
- Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on the Low setting for 6 to 8 hours.
- Serve: Once the meatballs are cooked through and tender, serve them hot with the sauce.
Recipe Tips
- How to get the most tender meatballs? The key is not to over-mix the meat mixture. Combine the ingredients with a light hand just until everything is blended. Overworking the ground meat can result in tough, dense meatballs.
- How can I add more flavor? For a deeper, richer flavor, you can take an extra step to brown the meatballs in a hot, oiled skillet before adding them to the slow cooker. This is not required for this easy recipe, but it adds a lot of complexity.
- How do I make sure the meatballs are all the same size? Using a medium cookie scoop (about 2 tablespoons) is the best way to ensure all your meatballs are uniform in size. This helps them cook evenly in the same amount of time.
- Can I use a different kind of meat? Absolutely. You can make these meatballs with a combination of ground beef and ground pork, or substitute ground turkey for a leaner option.
What To Serve With Crockpot Meatballs
These versatile, saucy meatballs are perfect for a variety of meals.
- Served over a bed of spaghetti or your favorite pasta.
- Piled into a sub roll with melted provolone cheese for a classic meatball sandwich.
- Alongside creamy mashed potatoes or polenta.
- Served on their own with toothpicks as a party appetizer.
How To Store Crockpot Meatballs
Store: Place cooled, leftover meatballs and sauce in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Freeze: These meatballs freeze exceptionally well. Let them cool completely, then place them in a freezer-safe container or bag with the sauce. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Crockpot Meatballs Nutrition Facts
- Calories: ~350 kcal per serving (4 meatballs)
- Protein: 25g
- Fat: 18g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Sugar: 12g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
No, for this super easy recipe, you can place the meatballs directly into the slow cooker raw. They will cook through completely in the sauce over the long cooking time.
Yes. If you’re short on time, you can cook these meatballs on the High setting for 3 to 4 hours.
Yes, you can use a bag of pre-made, frozen meatballs for an even quicker prep time. There’s no need to thaw them first; just add them to the sauce and cook on low for 4-6 hours.
Costco Meatballs Crockpot Recipe
Course: DinnerCuisine: Italian-AmericanDifficulty: Easy4
servings12
minutes8
hours350
kcalA super easy, dump-and-go slow cooker recipe for tender, savory homemade meatballs simmered all day in a rich tomato sauce.
Ingredients
1 ½ lbs ground beef
1 ¼ cups Italian bread crumbs
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
1 large egg, beaten
1 (28 oz) jar spaghetti sauce
1 (16 oz) can crushed tomatoes
1 (14.25 oz) can tomato puree
Directions
- In a large bowl, gently combine the ground beef, bread crumbs, onion, garlic, parsley, and egg.
- Shape the mixture into 16 meatballs.
- Combine the spaghetti sauce, crushed tomatoes, and tomato puree in the bottom of a slow cooker.
- Gently place the raw meatballs into the sauce.
- Cover and cook on Low for 6 to 8 hours.
- Serve hot with pasta or on sub rolls.
Notes
- This is a true “dump and go” recipe; no pre-browning of the meatballs is required.
- Do not over-mix the meat mixture to ensure the meatballs stay tender.
- A cookie scoop is helpful for creating evenly sized meatballs.
- This recipe is perfect for a busy day when you want a comforting meal ready for dinner.
