Slow Cooker Cheese Stuffed Meatballs and Sauce

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with these Slow Cooker Cheese Stuffed Meatballs and Sauce—a dish that combines tender, flavor-packed meatballs with a molten mozzarella center, all simmered to perfection in a rich marinara sauce. This easy-to-make recipe features a savory blend of ground beef and pork, aromatic Italian seasonings, and a touch of Parmesan for depth. After a quick sear to lock in the flavor, these meatballs slowly cook in a blanket of marinara, ensuring a juicy, melt-in-your-mouth experience. Perfect for busy weeknights or cozy gatherings, serve them atop pasta, rice, or as a hearty stand-alone dish. With minimal prep and the magic of a slow cooker, this recipe will become your go-to for impressively delicious and stress-free meals.

Nutriscore Rating: 64/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:240 mins

Total Time:260 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound Ground beef
• 0.5 pound Ground pork
• 0.5 cup Breadcrumbs
• 0.25 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 large Egg
• 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Onion powder
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 4 ounces Mozzarella cheese, cubed
• 24 ounces Marinara sauce
• 1 tablespoon Olive oil
• 2 tablespoons Fresh basil (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix until just combined; do not overwork the meat mixture.

Step 2

Using clean hands or a small scoop, divide the meat mixture into approximately 18-20 equal portions.

Step 3

Flatten each portion slightly and place a small cube of mozzarella cheese in the center. Carefully wrap the meat mixture around the cheese to form a ball, ensuring the cheese is fully enclosed. Repeat with the remaining portions.

Step 4

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, sear the meatballs for 1-2 minutes on each side until they are browned (they do not need to be cooked through).

Step 5

Pour half of the marinara sauce into the bottom of a slow cooker. Place the browned meatballs on top of the sauce in a single layer if possible.

Step 6

Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the meatballs, ensuring they are fully covered.

Step 7

Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on low for 4 hours or on high for 2 hours. The meatballs should be tender, and the cheese inside should be melted when finished.

Step 8

Carefully serve the meatballs with the sauce over pasta, rice, or as a standalone dish. Garnish with fresh basil if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1633.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2774.6

Total Fat 193.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 73.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.3g
Cholesterol 833.8mg	0%
Sodium 5658.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 73.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 8.7g	0%
Total Sugars 17.5g
Protein 187.6g	0%

Vitamin D 53.8IU	0%
Calcium 1048.3mg	0%
Iron 15.8mg	0%
Potassium 1306.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 62.5%

Protein: 27.0%

Carbs: 10.5%