Meatballs in Tomato Sauce (Slow-Cooker)

This easy slow cooker meatball recipe uses a blend of beef and Italian sausage for a flavourful, juicy meatball. Cooked in a tomato sauce there is no need for browning. These meatballs can be served in a bowl, but they are equally delicious with pasta, on a hoagie roll, or my favourite - with garlic bread.

Sauce:
2 (28 oz) cans crushed tomatoes
1 (5.5 oz) can tomato paste (156 mL)
1 cup onions, finely diced
¼ cup garlic, finely chopped
1 bay leaf
1 Tbsp. dried basil
1 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. brown sugar
½ tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
½ tsp. sea salt
¼ tsp. black pepper, freshly ground

Meatballs:
1 slice white bread, torn in pieces
¼ cup milk
¼ cup garlic, finely chopped
½ cup onion, minced
¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
2 tsp. sea salt
1 tsp. black pepper, freshly ground
1 tsp. dried oregano
½ cup Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese, shredded
1 large egg
1 lb ground 90/10 beef
1 lb ground Italian sausage or pork

Make the Sauce:
Set your slow cooker to low, then add all of the crushed tomatoes, onion, bay leaf, sugar, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Give it a quick stir to combine everything.

Soak the bread:
In a medium-sized bowl, combine the bread and milk.

Make the Meatballs:
In the same bowl with the bread, add the garlic, onion, parsley, pepper, salt, oregano, cheese and egg. Mix it all together with a fork. Add the beef and pork. Use your hands to mix everything together just enough to combine.

These can be quite sticky. If you keep your hands wet with water, it is much easier to roll the meat into balls. Alternatively, you can use a small #40 cookie scoop. I like to make meatballs that are a little smaller than a golf ball.

Pinch off about a tablespoon of meat, roll it in your hands and place it directly into the sauce. Repeat until all the meatballs are made. Some of the meatballs will not be submerged in the sauce. That’s ok. They will fall into the sauce as they cook.

Secure the lid to your slow cooker and let it cook on HIGH for 5 hours or on LOW for 8-10 hours.

Serve these over spaghetti, on a hoagie bun for a meatball sandwich, or as a party appetizer on their own.

If you want to thicken the sauce, you can transfer it to a skillet set over medium-high heat and reduce it until it reaches your desired consistency. If the sauce has some fat floating on the top, just stir it in.

Nutritional Information:
Calories 402 | Fat 19g | Carbs 22g | Protein 36g