Italian Meatballs are packed with traditional Italian flavors and slow-cooked to perfection. Serve in a sandwich or with your favorite pasta.
Course Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine American, Italian
Keyword meatballs
Prep Time 25 minutesminutes
Cook Time 8 hourshours
Total Time 8 hourshours25 minutesminutes
Servings 12sandwiches
Calories 371kcal
Equipment
slow cooker
Ingredients
2poundslean ground beef
1poundItalian sausagecasings removed
1 ½cupsbreadcrumbs
1cupparmesan cheesegrated
3eggsslightly beaten
2tablespoonsminced onion
1tablespoonminced garlic
1tablespoondried parsley
1 ½teaspoonItalian seasoning
¾teaspoonsalt
¾teaspoonblack pepper
48ouncesmarinara sauce2 jars
Serving Option
12 sub sandwich rolls, sliced
2 cups shredded mozzarella
Instructions
Meatballs
Prepare a slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.
In a large bowl, work the ground beef and Italian sausage together with your hands until combined.
Add the breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, eggs, minced onion, garlic, parsley, and seasonings. Mix until completely combined.
Shape the meat into 36 meatballs.
Pour a small amount of the marinara sauce into the bottom of the slow cooker.
Add a layer of uncooked meatballs and then pour more marinara sauce over the meatballs.
Then add the remaining meatballs and top with the remaining marinara sauce.
Place the lid on and cook low for 6 to 8 hours.
SERVE
Scoop three meatballs into each sub roll and top with mozzarella cheese.
If desired, place the sandwiches into a casserole dish and broil in the oven for a few minutes to melt the cheese.
Serve with the marinara sauce.
FREEZE
Mix the meatballs as directed and freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once frozen, they can be transferred to a zip-top bag for space-saving.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before placing them in the slow cooker with the marinara sauce as instructed.