Slow Cooker Italian Meatball Dinner Recipe for Family Meals

This slow cooker meatball dinner makes weeknight cooking simple. Meatballs, potatoes and a sturdy green vegetable cook together in one pot for an easy, customizable meal. The meatball version shown is low-carb, paleo and Whole30 compatible, but you can swap in your favorite homemade or frozen meatballs. Use any potato you prefer and choose fresh or frozen green veggies. Instructions for both a crockpot and an Instant Pot are included so you can pick the method that works best for you.

Ingredients For Slow Cooker Meatball Dinner

• Tomato sauce (crushed or diced tomatoes, garlic, dried basil, salt, pepper) or your favorite store-bought sauce
• Green beans (or another sturdy green vegetable such as asparagus)
• Potatoes (any variety you like)
• Meatballs — homemade (ground meat, egg, almond flour, garlic, basil, salt, pepper) or frozen

How To Make A Meatball Dinner In The Crockpot

Slow Cooker

1. Add the sauce ingredients to the slow cooker and stir to combine.
2. In a large bowl, combine all meatball ingredients. Mix with your hands until evenly combined and form into 9–12 meatballs, depending on size.
3. Place the meatballs and chopped potatoes into the slow cooker on top of the sauce.
4. Cook on HIGH for 3–4 hours or LOW for 6–8 hours.
5. About 30 minutes before the end of the cooking time, add the green vegetables on top so they steam and finish cooking but remain bright and tender.

Instant Pot

1. Combine the meatball ingredients in a bowl and form 9–12 meatballs.
2. Set the Instant Pot to the high sauté setting. When hot, add 1 tablespoon oil and brown the meatballs 3–5 minutes per side. Brown in batches if needed, then remove and set aside.
3. Add the sauce to the pot, stir, then add the potatoes and browned meatballs. Be careful not to overfill the pot.
4. Close the lid and seal the vent. Cook on the manual/high pressure setting for 7 minutes. When the time is up, quick-release the pressure and open the lid. Add the green vegetables on top of the mixture.
5. Close and seal again, then cook on manual/high pressure for 3 minutes or until the vegetables reach your desired tenderness. Quick-release pressure when finished.

FAQs & Tips

Do you use frozen or homemade meatballs?

This recipe is written for fresh meatballs, but frozen meatballs work fine if you prefer convenience. In the Instant Pot version, follow the browning step for fresh meatballs; frozen meatballs can be added directly but may need extra cook time. In the slow cooker, raw meatballs cook through while simmering in the sauce. If using your own meatball recipe, adjust quantities so all ingredients fit comfortably in your slow cooker — aim for no more than 12 meatballs for most 6-quart units.

What type of vegetables should you use?

Green beans and asparagus are great choices because they hold up well in a one-pot meal. You can use fresh or frozen. Other options include broccoli, mushrooms, bell peppers, zucchini or eggplant. Add firmer vegetables earlier and more delicate ones toward the end so they don’t overcook.

What type of potatoes should you use?

Any potato works: russet, Yukon gold, baby potatoes or even sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes make the meal naturally gluten-free and paleo-friendly. For a low-carb option, omit the potatoes and increase the vegetable portion instead.

Will all the food be submerged in the sauce?

No — the ingredients don’t need to be fully submerged. The sauce will cover and flavor the meatballs and potatoes, and steam will finish cooking the vegetables when added later.

How do you store leftovers?

Store leftover meatball dinner in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave until warmed through.

What size slow cooker did you use?

This recipe fits well in a 6-quart slow cooker or a similarly sized Instant Pot. Adjust batch size if using a smaller appliance.

Meatball Recipes

• Meatballs (basic)

• Mozzarella-Stuffed Meatballs

• Meatballs & Zoodles

• Air Fryer Herb Meatballs

• Spaghetti Squash & Meatballs

• Cheesy Ravioli Meatball Casserole

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