25 Crock Pot Meatball Recipes That Work for Parties & Dinner

Krista Marshall

October 17, 2023 at 11:51 PM·5 min read

One of the best things about the Crock Pot or slow cooker is its ability to handle any meal of the day or occasion like a pro! Busy weekday mornings have you pulling your hair out when it comes to breakfast? Try an overnight slow cooker oatmeal recipe. Supper time got you stressed? There are about a billion Crock Pot suppers that can be waiting on you when you get home! Having a crowd over to watch the big game? Appetizers in the slow cooker are perfect for eating all night long—and keep you out of the kitchen.

To prove this idea even more, we've gathered the 25 best Crock Pot meatball recipes for any occasion. From comforting favorites to new spins on classics, these Crockpot meatball recipes can go from party snacks to weeknight dinners with ease!

Cooking Meatballs In The Crock Pot

No matter if you're using frozen meatballs for convenience, or going old-school and making them from scratch, slow-cooking meatballs is the way to go!

Cooking meatballs in the Crock Pot is basically the same thing as braising them, which leads to bold flavors and a moist, tender texture without them falling apart.

Why Do My Meatballs Fall Apart In The Crock Pot?

To keep homemade meatballs from falling apart while slow cooking, make sure to bind them well with breadcrumbs and/or eggs. Also, browning them first before adding them to the Crock Pot will help them to not fall apart while cooking.

Related: 28 Ground Beef Crock Pot Recipes

Can You Put Frozen Meatballs In The Crock Pot?

For me, I always use a bag of frozen ones because they can go from the freezer to the Crock Pot, with no thawing required. With so many frozen varieties available now, from homestyle to Italian or even flame-broiled, any recipe you find can benefit from a little store-bought help.

How Long Do You Heat Meatballs In The Crock Pot?

When using frozen meatballs, most recipes call to cook them on low for four to six hours, or high for around three.

If you are cooking raw meatballs, they will take longer—any where from six to eight hours on low, or until the meatballs are cooked completely through.

Can You Leave Meatballs In The Crock Pot All Day?

Absolutely! This is easy doable especially if you have a programmable Crock Pot with a warm setting. Once they've heated through for the recommended time, simply leave them on warm until ready to serve.

This is one of the reasons slow cooker meatballs are the perfect party food- they can last for the entire event and have your guests coming back for more again and again.