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Slow Cooker Meatballs (Or Instant Pot)

January 3, 2018 by Lindsay 53 Comments

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These healthy Slow Cooker meatballs are veggie-packed and great for an easy, kid-friendly dinner. You can also make them in the Instant Pot! Serve them over noodles, on a sub bun or enjoy them plain!

These Crockpot meatballs can be made in the slow cooker or Instant Pot for an easy, healthy dinner. Serve them over noodles, on a sub bun or enjoy them plain!

*Post originally published September 2014. Photos & text updated Jan 2018*

Hi Friends!

I originally shared this recipe right before Squish was born, after I did a little reader survey and you guys asked for more slow cooker recipes. Fast forward three years, I did another survey and guess what? I still make these every few weeks and you guys are still asking for more slow cooker recipes. So I’m resharing this recipe with a few updates (ie adding more veggies) and I also tested them in the Instant Pot so I could give you guys directions for that as well.

Slow Cooker Meatballs

Meatballs that can be cooked in the crockpot or Instant Pot, packed with vegetables.

 

There is nothing super fancy about this recipe. It’s basically just meatballs, except they’re cooked in the crockpot so it’s hands off once you get them in there. I also added some extra veggies because that’s never a bad idea! Once they’re cooked you can serve them over spaghetti, on a bun for a meatball sub, or eat them with just the sauce!

meatballs cooked in the slow cooker or crockpot

Here’s how you make them:

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Crockpot Meatballs

These Crockpot meatballs can be made in the slow cooker or Instant Pot for an easy, healthy dinner. Serve them over noodles, on a sub bun or enjoy them plain!
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These Crockpot meatballs can be made in the slow cooker or Instant Pot for an easy, healthy dinner. Serve them over noodles, on a sub bun or enjoy them plain!

  • Author: Lindsay
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 6 hours
  • Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (or turkey)
  • 2/3 cup breadcrumbs (i use panko)
  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup finely diced mushrooms
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 tsp basil
  • 1/2 tsp oregano
  • 2 Tbsp hemp seeds or chia seeds, optional
  • 2–3 large carrots, peeled and shredded
  • 1 red pepper (finely diced or shredded)
  • 1 (24 oz) jar tomato sauce

Instructions

Combine all ingredients except carrots, peppers and tomato sauce in a large bowl.

Mix well and form into balls.

In a hot, well-oiled pan on the stove (or using the saute function on the Instant Pot- make sure you have a thin layer of oil covering the bottom of the IP & be sure to leave the lid off), brown the meatballs on all sides. You may need to do this in batches.

If using the crockpot, add browned meatballs, plus shredded carrots and peppers and sauce to the slow cooker, cover and cook on low 4-6 hours.

If using the Instant Pot, remove all the browned meatballs, add a tiny bit of water or broth and scrape up any large brown bits that are stuck to the bottom of the pan. Add sauce and shredded veggies, then add meatballs and stir to combine. Use the manual (or pressure cook) button and cook for 10 minutes. Use the quick release and check to make sure internal temp of meatballs is 165 degrees F.

Notes

Always add about 1/4 cup water to the jar of sauce, put the lid on, shake and then add to ensure you get all the sauce out of the jar!

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @theleangreenbean on Instagram

Easy enough, right? The hemp or seeds are optional but add a nice little nutritional boost and you can’t taste them. The carrots and peppers should get nice and sauce and pretty much blend into the sauce. Neither of my kids notice the mushrooms in these.

These healthy Slow Cooker meatballs are veggie-packed and great for an easy, kid-friendly dinner. You can also make them in the Instant Pot!

 

[clickToTweet tweet=”Enjoy veggie-packed meatballs in the slow cooker or instant pot for a simple, healthy dinner.” quote=”Enjoy veggie-packed meatballs in the slow cooker or instant pot for a simple, healthy dinner.”]

I make 12-16 meatballs but you can make yours whatever size you want. Just keep in mind that smaller will cook faster and you want them all to be similarly sized so they cook evenly.

If you like meatballs like we do, be sure to also check out these Paleo Turkey Sweet Potato Meatballs and these Thai Chicken Meatballs.

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

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Filed Under: Dinner, Instant Pot, Slow Cooker Tagged With: Bell Pepper, Carrot, Egg, Ground Beef, Mushroom, Panko

About Lindsay

Lindsay Livingston is a Registered Dietitian and new mom from Columbus, Ohio. On her blog, she shares simple, healthy recipes, nutrition tips, workouts and snapshots of her life. Follow her on Twitter @LeanGrnBeanBlog and Instagram @TheLeanGreenBean and be sure to subscribe via RSS or email so you never miss a post!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Arman @ thebigmansworld says

    September 9, 2014 at 4:36 AM

    YES. Pinning and making them. I love recipes with ground beef!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      September 9, 2014 at 12:35 PM

      you and hubby both!

      Reply
      • Abby says

        October 10, 2016 at 9:36 AM

        Can you use almond meal in place of the bread crumbs? If no, is there a different substitute?

        Reply
        • Lindsay says

          October 10, 2016 at 8:47 PM

          yep!

          Reply
  2. Linz @ Itz Linz says

    September 9, 2014 at 5:12 AM

    Yum this does look super easy! I love crockpot meals! I bet you could use Italian style breadcrumbs and not add the spices, but it probably has more salt that way, right?

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      September 9, 2014 at 12:35 PM

      i bet the salt would be about the same. would depend on the breadcrumbs…some can be loaded with sodium.

      Reply
  3. Hollie says

    September 9, 2014 at 5:24 AM

    I remember making something like this for a work get together. I love how easy, most crockpot recipes are. Thanks for sharing this Lindsay!

    Reply
  4. Nina @ Whats for eats says

    September 9, 2014 at 5:50 AM

    Pinned this one Lindsay! The hemp seeds will have to be optional for me – I think they are still illegal in Australia…

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      September 9, 2014 at 12:35 PM

      Thanks Nina! I think they’ll be good either way 🙂

      Reply
  5. Maryea {happy healthy mama} says

    September 9, 2014 at 6:15 AM

    Every mom loves a good crockpot recipe. Anything to make dinner easier. 🙂 I’ve never tried meatballs in the crockpot–that totally needs to change.

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      September 9, 2014 at 12:34 PM

      definitely try it out!

      Reply
  6. MCM Mama says

    September 9, 2014 at 6:41 AM

    I’m always looking for a good crockpot meal. Yum!

    Reply
  7. Kate @FramedCooks says

    September 9, 2014 at 7:31 AM

    Yay, and just in time for meatball season! Love this warm and wonderful idea – pinning for some crockpot deliciousness!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      September 9, 2014 at 12:34 PM

      Thanks Kate!

      Reply
  8. Susan says

    September 9, 2014 at 7:47 AM

    These look delicious!! I can’t wait to try them

    Reply
  9. Shashi @ runninsrilankan says

    September 9, 2014 at 7:50 AM

    LOVE the hemp seeds added into these! I make a lot of turkey balls – but NEVER ever thought of adding hemp seeds to them – what an awesome nutritional boost!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      September 9, 2014 at 12:34 PM

      yes! and so easy to toss in there!

      Reply
  10. Farrah says

    September 9, 2014 at 8:30 AM

    Yayy! 😀 Crockpot recipes + protein! Probably my favorite combination, hehehe.

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      September 9, 2014 at 12:34 PM

      double win!

      Reply
  11. Holly @ EatGreatBEGreat says

    September 9, 2014 at 8:34 AM

    I love crockpot recipes, and I have a feeling once the babies arrive, my crockpot will be on overdrive! 😉 These meatballs sound great! Do you think they would work well with ground turkey meat instead of beef?

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      September 9, 2014 at 12:34 PM

      yep i think it should work just fine

      Reply
  12. Melissa @ Freeing Imperfections says

    September 9, 2014 at 8:58 AM

    I love meatballs and I love crock pot recipes. Done and done!

    [WORDPRESS HASHCASH] The poster sent us ‘0 which is not a hashcash value.

    Reply
  13. Joanna @Makingmine says

    September 9, 2014 at 9:03 AM

    It’s a cool morning here in Omaha, and these sound awesome! 🙂

    Crock pot recipes are genius – LOVE any way to save time, haha!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      September 9, 2014 at 12:34 PM

      me too 🙂 love mine so much!

      Reply
  14. Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner says

    September 9, 2014 at 9:11 AM

    Maybe I can sneak some hemp into my kids food this way 🙂

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      September 9, 2014 at 12:34 PM

      woohoo!

      Reply
  15. Jody - Fit at 56 says

    September 9, 2014 at 9:12 AM

    I so need a crock pot!!! Love the recipe!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      September 9, 2014 at 12:33 PM

      definitely one of my favorite kitchen appliances!

      Reply
  16. Kirtley Freckleton @ The Gist of Fit says

    September 9, 2014 at 9:27 AM

    Hey Lindsay! Thanks for the recipe!

    I’ve been wanting to use crock pot more…but recently am trying out the meatless ways…oh dear haha. Thanks for caring what we want to read!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      September 9, 2014 at 12:33 PM

      lots of great meatless crockpot recipes out there too!

      Reply
  17. Ang @ Nutty for Life says

    September 9, 2014 at 9:46 AM

    Meatballs are weirdly one of my favorite foods. I can’t wait to make these! I’ve been relying more on the crockpot lately since I’m out 9 am to 10 pm on a lot of days of the week this month.

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      September 9, 2014 at 12:33 PM

      it can be a lifesaver!

      Reply
  18. Chelsea says

    September 9, 2014 at 9:56 AM

    Looks great! Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply
  19. Becki @ Fighting for Wellness says

    September 9, 2014 at 9:59 AM

    Yep, definitely making these. If I’m subbing gluten free breadcrumbs do you think gf panko would be okay or should I find another gf breadcrumb option?

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      September 9, 2014 at 12:36 PM

      i think panko should be ok. or you could try ground up gluten-free oats

      Reply
  20. Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Health says

    September 9, 2014 at 11:36 AM

    this is a great recipe i will sub beef with turkey though.

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      September 9, 2014 at 12:32 PM

      hope they turn out great!

      Reply
  21. Tori Leigh says

    September 9, 2014 at 12:23 PM

    I love sneaking hempseeds into meals…what a great idea!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      September 9, 2014 at 12:32 PM

      thanks! i’m getting better at adding them to more things!

      Reply
  22. Lisa @ Healthy Nibbles & Bits says

    September 9, 2014 at 12:44 PM

    I still haven’t started using the crockpot in my apartment yet! This looks like the perfect recipe to break it in!

    Reply
  23. Alysia @ Slim Sanity says

    September 9, 2014 at 2:13 PM

    YES to crockpots and YES to meatballs.

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      September 10, 2014 at 7:39 PM

      #agreed 🙂

      Reply
  24. Giselle says

    September 10, 2014 at 12:40 AM

    Why have I never thought to make meatballs in the crockpot!?! Genius!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      September 10, 2014 at 7:38 PM

      Hope you give them a try!

      Reply
  25. Cassie says

    September 10, 2014 at 6:13 PM

    I just pinned these… I try so hard at making meatballs and usually fail!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      September 10, 2014 at 7:35 PM

      Hope these work out for you!

      Reply
  26. Lindsay says

    September 10, 2014 at 7:39 PM

    woohoo! enjoy!

    Reply
  27. Nancy @ imadethisdish says

    December 31, 2014 at 11:56 AM

    Hi Lindsay, Thanks for sharing such a simple and tasty recipe. It’s funny how so many of us have a crockpot, but it always seems so hard to find a good recipe for it. This recipe is a chance for my crockpot to get out of the shelf. haha 😀

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      January 2, 2015 at 10:29 PM

      Hope you love them!

      Reply
  28. Rw says

    June 30, 2017 at 10:50 PM

    Finally made these’ and were awesome, got the 3 year old seal of approval. The meatballs were almost eaten in one night! Cooked some lentils in th extra sauce to make it stretch!
    Thank you!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      July 5, 2017 at 6:52 AM

      so glad to hear that!

      Reply
  29. AA says

    June 23, 2018 at 12:50 PM

    Can I used fresh tomatoes? How many?

    Also what do you do with the carrots? I don’t see them in the instructions.

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      June 24, 2018 at 7:33 PM

      I would not sub fresh tomatoes by themselves. You could sub a sauce made with fresh tomatoes. Carrots should be stirred in with the sauce.

      Reply

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Lindsay Livingston The Lean Green Bean Healthy Living Tips and Tricks

I'm a Registered Dietitian and mom of three from Columbus, Ohio. I use this blog to share simple, healthy recipes, nutrition tips, and an honest glimpse of motherhood!

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Questions? Comments? Email me: [email protected]

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