If there’s one dinner that never lets me down, it’s this Crockpot Meatball Marinara recipe! It’s hearty, saucy, and packed with flavor—and the best part? It’s made with frozen meatballs and pantry staples, so you can toss everything into the slow cooker and walk away.
Whether you serve it over spaghetti or pile it onto hoagie rolls for melty, cheesy meatball subs, this easy crockpot dinner is always a hit. It’s a cozy, crowd-pleasing meal that tastes like you spent all day in the kitchen (spoiler: you didn’t—love that!).
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This Crockpot Meatball Marinara recipe is one of my go-to comfort meals—and not just because it’s easy (though it definitely is). I love it because it’s so versatile!
These saucy, savory meatballs are delicious straight from the slow cooker, spooned over your favorite pasta, or tucked into a toasted hoagie with melty cheese.
Whether you’re craving a cozy bowl of spaghetti and meatballs or a cheesy meatball sub, this recipe has you covered! Made with frozen meatballs and pantry staples, it’s a low-effort, high-reward kind of meal that makes dinner feel like a win.
Marinara meatball ingredients
Here's what you're going to need to make this easy recipe.
Crockpot Meatball Marinara
Equipment
- 1 Crockpot
Ingredients
- ½ onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 8 ounces fresh mushrooms, sliced
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 24 ounce jar of marinara sauce,
- 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes, do not drain
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder or 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- 26 ounce bag frozen meatballs homestyle or Italian-style
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese or mozzerella cheese - optional, but delicious
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
- Cooked pasta, sub sandwich rolls, or zucchini noodles for serving
Instructions
- Spray the inside of your crockpot with nonstick spray. Saute the onions, bell peppers and mushrooms for 5 minutes to soften. Season with salt and pepper.
- Pour in the marinara sauce and diced tomatoes. Stir in Italian seasoning, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, and onion powder and the sauteed vegetables, onions, bell peppers and mushrooms.
- Add the frozen meatballs and stir gently to coat.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 4-5 hours, until meatballs are heated through and flavors have melded together.
- Give it a taste — season with salt, pepper, and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese if you’d like.
- Serve over your favorite pasta, tuck into a toasted hoagie roll with extra sauce and mozzarella, or pile over spaghetti squash for a low-carb option. Don’t forget the garlic bread!
Notes
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Nutrition
FAQ’s
You bet - this recipe for turkey meatballs is delicious. Just be sure to brown them first before adding to the crockpot.
Nope, no need to brown them or even thaw first. Just dump them right into your slow cooker. Easy-peasy!
You bet. Sauté the veggies, add everything to a big pot, and let it simmer for about 40-to minutes, stirring occasionally.
Deb’s tips
Save your leftovers! — Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. Perfect for emergency pasta night!
More recipes you’ll love
If you're loving this Crockpot Meatball Marinara, don’t stop here—I've got more easy meatball recipes coming in hot! Try my Slow Cooker Meatballs and Gravy for a cozy, stick-to-your-ribs kind of dinner that’s amazing over mashed potatoes!
Craving something a little sweet and tangy? Grape Jelly BBQ Meatballs are always a hit at parties (and dangerously easy to make!). Or for something with rich, savory flavor, my Crockpot French Onion Meatballs are simmered low and slow in caramelized onion goodness!
These are all delicious, slow cooker-friendly meals you’ll want to keep on repeat!
Whether you’re serving these Crockpot Meatballs Marinara over spaghetti or turning them into cheesy, saucy subs, this recipe is a total win for busy weeknights or lazy Sundays.
It’s easy, comforting, and always gets rave reviews around the dinner table. If you give this recipe a try, I’d love to hear what you think—leave a comment below or snap a pic and tag me on social media. And don’t forget to save or print the recipe so it’s ready to go for your next meatball craving!
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