12 Crockpot Meatball Recipes for Easy Dinners!

We’ve all got those staple recipes that we turn to time and time again, and in my household, crockpot meatballs is definitely one of them! They’re the ultimate comfort food, and when you can just toss them in the slow cooker and get on with your afternoon, they’re a total lifesaver for busy midweek meals. They’re also one of those rare dinners that I can pretty much guarantee that my kids will eat, which makes them a firm winner in my eyes!

I do like to shake things up a little so I’m not serving the exact same meal over and over, and that’s why I’ve created this collection of 12 different meatball recipes that can all be prepared in the crockpot. They’re all super cozy and comforting, and they bring a variety of flavors to the table to keep mealtimes fresh and exciting. From classic Italian meatballs to tropical Hawaiian with teriyaki sauce and fresh pineapple chunks, they’re also flavorsome, easy to prepare, and perfect either as a family dinner or even as an appetizer at a party. 

A couple of important notes before we jump into the recipes (these include some food safety considerations, so make sure you don’t skip these!): 

• Almost all of these recipes are made using frozen meatballs that you can pick up in most grocery stores. I love a quick hack for an easy dinner, and I find that this is a fantastic shortcut that’ll still produce delicious results. We’re essentially just adding a sauce and we’re ready to go! 
• Yes, you can cook your meatballs from frozen. You just need to be mindful of the internal temperature before serving
• The timings here are approximates, and they’ll vary depending on the size of the meatballs that you use (small ones will cook faster), and the model of your crockpot. I’ve got 3 crockpots that I use to test and develop recipes, and I’ve come to learn that there can often be a significant difference in how quickly they’ll cook food, even on the same setting. I know this can be a little frustrating, but with some trial and error, you learn the nuances of your own appliance
• Checking the internal temperature of your meatballs is super important from a food safety perspective, especially when you’re cooking from frozen. The reading on an instant-read food thermometer should be at least 160°F. You can pick these up for fairly cheap these days, and they’re a really useful tool to have in your kitchen

With those important details out the way, let’s get down to the recipes… 

1. Crockpot Italian Meatballs

Okay, so these meatballs are the only one on the list where we won’t be using frozen meatballs, and instead we’ll be making our own from scratch. Because sometimes, you just really want homemade! These classic Italian meatballs are simmered in a rich marinara sauce, are they’re perfect for serving over pasta. I also love them piled on top of creamy mashed potatoes for a really warming and comforting meal. 

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 egg
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• Fresh basil, for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
2. Form into meatballs (about 1 inch in diameter).
3. Place meatballs in the crockpot and pour marinara sauce over them.
4. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Serve, garnished with fresh basil leaves for a pop of color. 

2. Crockpot Salisbury Steak Meatballs

If you love the cozy, comforting flavors of Salisbury steak, this crockpot recipe is one that you need to try! Savory meatballs are smothered in a rich mushroom gravy, and they’re so delicious served with pasta or rice. I like to add fresh mushrooms to this one alongside the cream of mushroom soup, but I do find that they can sometimes become a little slimy when they’re cooked in a sauce in the crockpot. Instead, I recommend that you sauté them in a pan and stir them through before serving. This helps to really bring out those beautiful earthy flavors and it brings a little extra texture to the party! 

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 lb frozen cooked meatballs
• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
• 1/2 cup beef broth
• 1 packet onion soup mix
• 2 cups of mushrooms, sliced
• Chopped parsley, for serving 

Instructions:

1. In the crockpot, combine cream of mushroom soup, beef broth, and onion soup mix.
2. Add frozen meatballs and stir to coat.
3. Cook on low for 4-6 hours or until heated through. When ready, saute your mushrooms in a pan and stir through the meatballs, before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley. 

3. Crockpot BBQ Meatballs

These deliciously sweet and tangy BBQ meatballs are always a real hit at a party, and I’ve been known to serve them as both an appetizer and main course. They’re also a solid choice for games nights and events, and they’re almost always one of the quickest dishes to run out when you’ve got a hungry crowd! 

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 lb frozen cooked meatballs
• 1 cup BBQ sauce
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• Fresh herbs, for garnish

Instructions:

1. In the crockpot, combine BBQ sauce, honey, and Worcestershire sauce.
2. Add frozen meatballs and stir to coat.
3. Cook on low for 4-6 hours or until heated through. Garnish with fresh chopped herbs for a little pop of color. Serve with toothpicks for easy snacking!

4. Crockpot Swedish Meatballs

I developed this recipe after first tasting Swedish meatballs in my local IKEA store, and I instantly knew that this was dish that I had to be able to cook at home! These Scandinavian inspired beauties are smothered in a creamy gravy and can be served over egg noodles or on top of mashed potatoes. An extra tip: for the full IKEA experience, add a dollop of lingonberry jam! 

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 lb frozen cooked meatballs
• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 2 cups mushrooms, sliced (optional) 
• Chopped herbs, for garnish

Instructions:

1. In the crockpot, combine cream of mushroom soup, beef broth, sour cream, Worcestershire sauce, and nutmeg.
2. Add frozen meatballs and stir to coat.
3. Cook on low for 4-6 hours or until heated through. Sauté the mushrooms and stir through. Serve over cooked egg noodles, garnished with chopped herbs. 

5. Crockpot Honey Garlic Meatballs

These slow cooked meatballs are sweet and sticky, and they’re a great alternative to more traditional options when you want to shake things up a little! 

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 lb frozen cooked meatballs
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• Chopped herbs and sesame seeds, for garnish

Instructions:

1. In the crockpot, whisk together honey, soy sauce, garlic, and ketchup.
2. Add frozen meatballs and stir to coat.
3. Cook on low for 4-6 hours or until heated through. Serve with rice or as an appetizer, garnished with chopped herbs and sesame seeds. 

6. Crockpot Teriyaki Meatballs

These Asian-inspired meatballs are glazed with a sweet teriyaki sauce and make for a deliciously sticky dish. This recipe always give me takeout vibes, though they’re healthier and more budget friendly than ordering in! 

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 lb frozen cooked meatballs
• 1 cup teriyaki sauce
• 1/2 cup pineapple juice
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds
• 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. In the crockpot, combine teriyaki sauce and pineapple juice.
2. Add frozen meatballs and stir to coat.
3. Cook on low for 4-6 hours or until heated through. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions before serving.

7. Crockpot Hawaiian Meatballs

If you love tropical flavors, you’ll love this idea! I’ve found that you need to be a little careful when it comes to adding pineapple to dishes that are prepared in a slow cooker, as it can very easily turn into a mushy mess. That’s why I recommend that you add it towards the end of the cooking process, when you have around 30 minutes left. You’ll also add the bell pepper at this stage, which helps it to retain a satisfying crunch. 

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 lb frozen cooked meatballs
• 1 cup teriyaki sauce
• 1 cup pineapple chunks (canned or fresh)
• 1/4 cup red bell pepper, diced
• 1/4 cup green onion, sliced (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. In the crockpot, add the teriyaki sauce. 
2. Add frozen meatballs and stir to coat.
3. Cook on low for 4-6 hours or until heated through. Add the pineapple and bell pepper for the final 30 minutes of cooking. Garnish with green onions before serving.

8. Crockpot Marry Me Chicken Meatballs

Rumour has it that this dish is so good that it might just inspire your loved one to propose. I can’t guarantee that’ll happen, but I’m pretty confident that it’s a recipe that you’ll fall in love with! You might already be familiar with Marry Me Chicken, as it’s been a huge viral trend over the past few years. This recipe brings those flavors to succulent, juicy meatballs for a super comforting dinner. 

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 lb frozen cooked chicken meatballs
• 1 cup white cooking wine
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• 2 cups spinach
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In the crockpot, add chicken broth and white wine. 
2. Add frozen meatballs and stir.
3. Cook on low for 4-6 hours or until heated through. Add tomatoes 30 minutes before the end of cooking time. Stir in the Parmesan cheese, heavy cream, and spinach not long before serving, and replace the lid until heated through and the spinach is wilted.

9. Crockpot Asian Meatballs

These flavorful meatballs are infused with ginger and garlic and served with a soy-based sauce that’s perfect over rice or noodles. A fantastic choice if you love Asian inspired flavors and you’re in the mood for trying something a little different! 

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 lb frozen cooked meatballs
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp ginger, grated
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 2 green onions, sliced, and sesame seeds (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. In the crockpot, combine soy sauce, honey, ginger, garlic, and sesame oil.
2. Add frozen meatballs and stir to coat.
3. Cook on low for 4-6 hours or until heated through. Garnish with green onions before serving.

10. Crockpot Grape Jelly Meatballs

These sweet and tangy meatballs are a classic party favorite, and they come into the regular recipe rotation every holiday season with my family! They’re especially good for festive gatherings, and they’re always a hit when served as an appetizer. You’ll need just three ingredients, so they really couldn’t be any easier. If you like, you can garnish with herbs and sesame seeds. 

Serves: 6

Ingredients:

• 1 lb frozen cooked meatballs
• 1 cup grape jelly
• 1 cup BBQ sauce

Instructions:

1. In the crockpot, combine grape jelly and BBQ sauce.
2. Add frozen meatballs and stir to coat.
3. Cook on low for 4-6 hours or until heated through. Serve with toothpicks for easy snacking!

11. Crockpot Ranch Chicken Meatballs

These savory chicken meatballs are cooked in a creamy ranch sauce, perfect for dipping or as a main dish. 

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 lb frozen chicken meatballs
• 1 cup ranch dressing
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup cream cheese
• 1/4 cup green onions, sliced (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. In the crockpot, combine ranch dressing, cream cheese, and broth until well mixed.
2. Add frozen chicken meatballs and stir to coat.
3. Cook on low for 4-6 hours or until heated through. Garnish with green onions before serving.

12. Crockpot Greek Style Lamb Meatballs

These Mediterranean-inspired meatballs are flavored with herbs and spices, and simmered in a rich tomato sauce. This recipe reminds me of summer vacations, and enjoying similar dishes in a traditional taverna. Keep things light by serving with a Greek salad, or if you want something more substantial, try orzo or pitta bread. 

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 lb frozen cooked lamb meatballs
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1/4 cup red onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp oregano
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In the crockpot, combine diced tomatoes, red onion, garlic, oregano, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
2. Add frozen lamb meatballs and stir to coat.
3. Cook on low for 4-6 hours or until heated through.

These 12 Best Crockpot Meatball Recipes are just the ticket if you love super easy, comforting family meals. Which ones will you be trying? Be sure to bookmark this page and come back to leave a comment below to share your thoughts! I love hearing about your creations of the recipes you’ve seen here, and it also helps me to create more content that you’ll love.