Crockpot Meatballs

5 from 2 votes

These Italian inspired meatballs have an ooey gooey cheesy surprise inside! (yes! there is cheese stuffed inside the meatball!) Can be made in the crockpot or on the stovetop

Prep Time15

Cook Time3

Total Time3 15

Servings: to 8 servings

Calories: 341kcal

Author: Susan Randall

Ingredients

For the Meatballs

1 lb. ground beef 85% lean
½ lb. ground sweet Italian sausage or sausage links with casing removed
1 egg beaten
½ cup bread crumbs plain or Italian style
1 tablespoon worcesteshire sauce
2 oz. Mozzarella cheese cubed ( or 2-3 cheese sticks cut into cubes) you'll need 12-15 cubes
Salt and pepper to taste

For the Sauce

1 can 28 oz. crushed tomatoes ( like San Marzano)
1 can 15 oz. diced tomatoes
1 can 6 oz. tomato paste
1 small yellow onion diced ( or 1 tablespoon onion powder)
2 cloves garlic minced ( or ¼ tsp. garlic powder)
2 tablespoon dried parsley or oregano
1 tablespoon dried basil
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional more to taste
1 bay leaf

For the pasta

12 ounces pasta any kind, I used Pappardelle
Fresh parsley chopped for garnish (optional)
Parmesan cheese grated for garnish (optional)

Instructions

In a large bowl combine ground beef, sausage, egg, bread crumbs and worcesteshire sauce. Use hands to thoroughly combine. Form into golf ball size meatballs. (approx. 12-15). To stuff meatballs flatten the meatball, place a cube of cheese in the middle of the flattened patty and fold edges around cube and reform into a round ball by rolling in your hands. Set meatballs aside.
Combine tomatoes (crushed, diced and paste) onion, garlic, parsley, basil, red pepper flakes and bay leaf in a 5 or 6 qt. slow cooker. Mix thoroughly.
In a large skillet over medium heat add a small amount of olive oil (or water) and cook meatballs just until all sides are browned (approx. 2-3 min.) Add meatballs to the sauce in slow cooker, spoon some sauce to cover meatballs. Cover and let cook for 3-4 hours on high or 5-6 hrs. on low . Remove bay leaf before serving.
Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and rinse. Top with meatballs and sauce. Add fresh chopped parsley and grated Parmesan if desired.

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