The most delicious Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs, covered in marinara sauce and cooked to perfection!
I LOVE a slow cooker meal. Minimal prep work, BOMB dinner, tons of leftovers. It’s an absolute weeknight necessity and I rely on mine alllll the time. These Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs have become an often-requested comfort food in our house. Kids and adults love them, they’re easy as can be…why say no?!
How to Make Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs
It couldn’t be easier. Throw all your ingredients into a big bowl. Combine using a fork (or clean hands), form meatballs, and add them to the slow cooker as you go. Top it with your favorite marinara sauce, close the lid, and go get a manicure. Or take a nap, make cookies, plan your Thanksgiving menu…you get the point.
I decided to go with large meatballs for this recipe! I love how they fill a plate, and the leftovers are fantastic. I actually scooped these with an ice cream scoop for easy and uniform meatballs! You could do them any size you like. Sometimes we even go miniature!
How to Serve Meatballs
I love how versatile these Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs are! You can make a meal as simple or elaborate as you want. I’d serve them with…
- Rice
- Pasta
- As a main dish next to a salad
- In a sandwich
More Weeknight Dinners
- Instant Pot Butternut Squash Pasta
- Turkey Taco Skillet
- Weeknight Balsamic Grilled Chicken
- Easy Picadillo
- Tuscan Sheet Pan Chicken with Potatoes & Kale
Food photography by Ashley Cuoco
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Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
The most delicious turkey meatballs, covered in marinara sauce and cooked in a slow cooker to perfection.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 pounds ground turkey meat
- 1 small onion, grated
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup panko or regular breadcrumbs
- 1 egg (lightly beaten)
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon tomato paste
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 26 ounce jar marinara sauce
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients (up through the parsley) to a large bowl. Mix using a fork until combined. Do not over-mix. If mixture seems too wet, add 1 tablespoon at a time of bread crumbs until it’s easy to handle and form into balls.
- Pour a small amount of sauce into the slow cooker. Just enough to cover the bottom. As you form the meatballs, place them in the cooker. I made larger size meatballs (slightly larger than the size of a golf ball) This made about 24. Pour the rest of the sauce over the meatballs and cook on low for 6-6.5 hours. Serve plain, over rice, or with pasta.
Instant Pot Instructions
- Add all the ingredients (up through the parsley) to a large bowl. Mix using a fork until combined. Do not over-mix. If mixture seems too wet, add 1 tablespoon at a time of bread crumbs until it’s easy to handle and form into balls.
- Pour a small amount of sauce into the Instant Pot. Just enough to cover the bottom. As you form the meatballs, place them in the pot. I made larger size meatballs (slightly larger than the size of a golf ball) This made about 24. Pour the rest of the sauce over the meatballs. Close lid and turn the valve to seal. Cook on high pressure for 9 minutes, release the pressure and serve plain, over rice, or with pasta.
Comments
Mary
Made these yesterday and oh my! So tasty! Another stupid recipe that’s a keeper!
★★★★★
Laney Schwartz
I can’t wait to make them again this week! So happy you enjoyed!
Hinda
Can I cook these on the stovetop in the sauce? For how long would I need to do?
Laney Schwartz
I haven’t tested it so I can’t say for sure but yes I think you can. You just need to make sure you have a large enough pot. I would say maybe simmer for 40-45 min?
Jessie
Delish! Super easy and tasty recipe!
★★★★★
Samantha
Can you make these dairy free?
Life is but a Dish
Yes, just leave out the cheese
LaQuetha
These are amazing!!!! I made half of the recipe and it was delish.
★★★★★
Hailey
Hi! I follow many of your recipes religiously. Love them all! Wondering if you have any tips for getting the burn message on the instant pot?? I haven’t had great success with my instant pot…thanks for your time!!
★★★★★
Sylvie
my fav! haven’t been able to make this in a few years, but headed back to it as soon as i got a slow cooker again! thinking of yall and sending so much love!
Bridgette U.
This was delish! I used half ground beef and half turkey and that worked out fine. Also used dried parsley since I didn’t have fresh. Definitely will make again. We served it on rolls for a meatball sub. Perfect dinner for summer.
★★★★★
Life is but a Dish
Love the idea of serving it on a roll!
Ari N
So delicious
★★★★★
Samita
What fat percentage turkey do you use? I prefer 93% lean as its healthier but wouldn’t want the meatballs to be tough because of the lower fat content. I know 85% lean tastes better too sadly.
Life is but a Dish
I usually do 93% lean
Lisa
Can the meatballs be baked in the oven?
Life is but a Dish
Sure!
Afsoon
Love love these meatballs!! Thank you so much!!! I usually try to pick recipes with veggies in there for my son but these are awesome. They will be our meatball recipe from now on. Thank you!
Life is but a Dish
Yay! So glad you like them!
Dana
Could you omit the tomato paste if you don’t have it? ?♀️ Lol
Life is but a Dish
yes!
Mia Zam
Is there a way to make this without the egg? My son has an egg allergy…
★★★★★
Life is but a Dish
Yes you could leave it out and I think it would work fine!
Shannon Brock
There are other binders that you can use in place of egg. if you google it there are ratios of other ingredients to substitute. hope that helps. I used applesauce as a replacement for meatballs when I had run out of eggs.
Jerry
Can these be frozen?
Life is but a Dish
Yes!
Mia
I want to make these this week, do you think I could substitute the breadcrumbs for almond meal?
Life is but a Dish
Yes!!
Lisa Davis
This recipe sounds great! I can’t wait to try it. I was wondering if it is possible to cook them on high for say 3-4 hours vs low for 6 hours? I would love these for a weeknight meal but work until 4:00 each day.
Life is but a Dish
Yes! Could definitely cook on high!
Cassie
Do you have the nutritional info for this recipe?
Life is but a Dish
I do not, but you are welcome to type the exact ingredients you use into an online calorie counter! There are a ton that are free!
Julie @ Julie's Eats & Treats
What?! SIX YEARS?! I’m so glad you finally fell in love with the slow cooker. It’s my assistant in life 🙂 Love these meatballs. I’ve gotta make them!
Life is but a Dish
I know, crazy right!!?? I can’t believe it took me so long either! xoxo