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Close-up of a slow cooker filled with marinara meatballs, garnished with grated parmesan and fresh basil.
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Crockpot Meatball Marinara

Guys you'll love this recipe because with a tiny bit of effort and seasoning, ordinary sauce is elevated and turns into a great dinner! It's easy, delicious and a great slow cooker meal.
Course Lunch or Dinner
Cuisine Italian
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 15 minutes
Servings 8 servings
Calories 318kcal
Author Deb Clark

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.
    Sautéed mushrooms, onions, and bell peppers being stirred in a skillet, with marinara sauce and frozen meatballs nearby.
  • 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.
    Chopped bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms on top of marinara sauce in a Crockpot, with seasoning sprinkled over, ready to mix.
  • Add the frozen meatballs and stir gently to coat.
    Crockpot filled with meatballs in chunky marinara sauce, being stirred with a blue spatula.
  • Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 4-5 hours, until meatballs are heated through and flavors have melded together.
    Overhead view of slow cooker filled with saucy meatballs and mushrooms, surrounded by hoagie rolls, dry spaghetti, parmesan, and utensils.
  • 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

Top your favorite pasta with a big ladle of sauce, toast hoagie buns, add meatballs with sauce and finish with cheese. Don't forget to place it under the broiler to melt the cheese! Or for a low carb option, serve over zucchini noodles or spaghetti sauce. 

Nutrition

Calories: 318kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 69mg | Sodium: 603mg | Potassium: 782mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 595IU | Vitamin C: 25mg | Calcium: 84mg | Iron: 3mg
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