Slow-Cooker Italian Meatballs
- Level: Easy
- Yield: 8 to 10 servings
-
- Nutritional Analysis
- Per Serving
- Serving Size
- 1 of 10 servings
- Calories
- 362
- Total Fat
- 22
- Saturated Fat
- 8
- Carbohydrates
- 18
- Dietary Fiber
- 4
- Sugar
- 7
- Protein
- 24
- Cholesterol
- 104
- Sodium
- 737
- Total: 8 hr 20 min
- Active: 20 min
Ingredients
Sauce:
Two 28-ounce cans whole plum tomatoes
One 6-ounce can tomato paste
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
3 cloves garlic, crushed and peeled
2 bay leaves
Kosher salt
Meatballs:
1 small onion, cut into chunks
1 small carrot, cut into chunks
1 celery stalk, cut into chunks
1/2 cup fresh Italian parsley leaves
2 cloves garlic, crushed and peeled
1 pound 90 percent lean ground beef
1 pound ground pork
2 large eggs
3/4 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
Kosher salt
Directions
Special equipment:
a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker- For the sauce: Pour the tomatoes into a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker and crush by hand. Stir in the tomato paste, olive oil, oregano, pepper flakes, garlic, bay leaves and 2 teaspoons salt.
- For the meatballs: Place the onions, carrots, celery, parsley and garlic in a food processor and pulse to make a paste. Transfer to a large bowl and add the beef, pork, eggs, breadcrumbs, Parmesan and 1 teaspoon salt. Form into 1 1/2-inch meatballs (you should get about 20 to 24) and nestle into the sauce in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 4 to 5 hours or low for 7 to 8 hours. Discard the bay leaves before serving.