• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Recipes
  • Chicken
  • Beef
  • Pork
  • Seafood
  • Sides
  • Dessert
The Seasoned Mom
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Recipe Index
  • Contact
    • Disclosure
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » What We're Eating » Slow Cooker Italian Meatball Stew

    Slow Cooker Italian Meatball Stew

    Published: Dec 19, 2018 by Blair Lonergan

    Jump to Recipe
    Long collage image of Slow Cooker Italian Meatball Stew

    This healthy Slow Cooker Italian Meatball Stew will please every member of your family! It's an easy comfort food dinner that is perfect for a cool, fall evening. Moms love the Crock Pot, while kids adore the little meatballs throughout this hearty, nourishing dish.

    Bowl of Slow Cooker Italian Meatball Stew with text overlay

    This is one of those perfect meals that everyone raves about around your dinner table, and that your husband will even enjoy for leftovers the next day!

    The old fashioned Italian meatballs cook right in the Crock Pot, so there's no need to brown them in an oven or skillet first. And who doesn't love a homemade meatball that has been simmering in a rich Italian sauce for hours? This recipe just works!

    Italian meatballs in sauce in the slow cooker

    How do you make Italian meatballs in the slow cooker?

    First, peel and slice 2 large carrots. Place them in the bottom of the slow cooker.

    Carrots at bottom of slow cooker

    Now it's time for the Italian meatball recipe! These authentic Italian meatballs are made with extra lean ground beef, Italian style bread crumbs, egg, Parmesan, milk, and seasoning.

    Ground beef mixture for Italian meatballs

    Use your hands or a fork to gently combine the beef mixture, being careful not to over-mix (that will result in a tough, dry meatball). Then roll the meat into small, 1-inch balls. I use this small scoop to make the task very quick and easy!

    Beef mixture with scoop for Italian meatballs

    Place the meatballs on top of the carrots in the Crock Pot.

    Meatballs in slow cooker

    Next, whisk together the meatball sauce...

    Meatball sauce with whisk

    and then pour it over top. Cover the slow cooker and cook the meatballs on LOW for about 4 hours or on HIGH for about 2 hours.

    Italian meatballs in sauce in Crock Pot

    When the meatballs are cooked through, microwave a bag of Italian vegetables just until crisp-tender. Pour the vegetables into your stew, and the meal is ready to serve!

    I prefer to add these vegetables at the very end because I can control how soft the vegetables get. If you add them to the slow cooker at the very beginning, the veggies will be mushy by the time the meat is cooked -- and nobody wants overcooked vegetables!

    Birds Eye Steamfresh Italian vegetables

    This thick stew is perfect on its own, or when served over pasta or rice. For a thinner, soup-like consistency, stir in additional broth at the end until it reaches the desired consistency. Garnish with fresh herbs and grated Parmesan for a meal that your family can't resist!

    Italian meatball stew in slow cooker with ladle

    COOK'S TIPS AND RECIPE VARIATIONS -- ITALIAN MEATBALL STEW:

    • This recipe yields 6 cups of stew, which serves 3-4 people. If you're feeding a larger family, I recommend doubling all of the ingredients. The cooking instructions remain the same.
    • I used the Italian vegetables here, which include broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, carrots and red bell pepper. You can substitute with an equal amount of any frozen vegetables that you prefer!
    • I steam the vegetables in the microwave before adding them to the meatball stew. This allows me to control the tenderness of the vegetables and prevents overcooked, mushy veggies.
    • You can substitute ground turkey or ground chicken in place of the beef. Just make sure that whatever meat you use is at least 96% lean, since you will not be draining the meat after it's cooked. You don't want any extra grease in your stew.
    • Use your hands or a fork to gently combine the beef mixture, being careful not to over-mix (that will result in a tough, dry meatball).
    • This is a thick stew with minimal broth. If you want a thinner consistency so that it's more like a soup, just add extra beef broth at the end.
    • I serve my kids' stew over pasta or rice, which they love.

    Yellow bowl full of Italian meatballs in sauce

    Looking for even more recipes with meatballs? Try these:

    • Italian Baked Turkey Meatballs
    • Slow Cooker Chinese Meatballs with Peppers and Onions
    • 5-Ingredient Dump-and-Bake Meatball Subs
    • Weeknight Meatball and Tortellini Soup
    • Dump-and-Bake Meatball Casserole

    Spoon in bowl of Italian Meatball Stew garnished with fresh basil

    Print Pin

    Slow Cooker Italian Meatball Stew

    This healthy and easy Slow Cooker Italian Meatball Stew will please every member of your family!
    Course Dinner
    Cuisine Italian
    Keyword italian meatballs, slow cooker italian meatball stew, slow cooker meatballs
    Prep Time 20 minutes
    Cook Time 4 hours
    0 minutes
    Total Time 4 hours 20 minutes
    Servings 6 cups
    Calories 206kcal
    Author Blair Lonergan

    Ingredients

    For the Meatballs:

    • 1 lb. extra lean ground beef (use at least 96% lean meat, since you will not drain the fat once it's cooked)
    • ⅓ cup Italian style seasoned breadcrumbs
    • 1 egg
    • 2 tablespoons milk
    • 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
    • ¾ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ¼ teaspoon pepper

    For the Stew:

    • 2 carrots, peeled and sliced into bite-sized rounds
    • 6 ounces tomato paste
    • 2 cups beef broth, plus additional (to thin to desired consistency, as needed)
    • ½ cup marinara sauce
    • 1 teaspoon seasoned salt such as Lawry’s
    • ½ teaspoon oregano
    • ½ teaspoon basil
    • 1 (10.8 ounce) package frozen Italian-style vegetables (I used Birds Eye Steamfresh Italian Blend)
    • Optional, for serving: cooked pasta or rice
    • Optional garnish: fresh parsley; fresh basil

    Instructions

    • Place carrots in bottom of slow cooker.
    • In a large bowl, use hands or a fork to gently combine meatball ingredients. Form meat mixture into 1-inch balls.
    • Place meatballs on top of carrots in the slow cooker.
    • In a separate bowl, combine tomato paste, broth, marinara, seasoned salt, oregano, and basil. Pour over meatballs.
    • Cover and cook on LOW for about 4 hours or on HIGH for about 2 hours. For a thinner soup rather than a stew, add extra broth until it reaches desired consistency.
    • Steam vegetables in microwave just until crisp-tender (about 3-4 minutes). Stir vegetables into stew and serve over pasta or rice, if desired. Garnish with fresh parsley or fresh basil.

    Notes

     
    • This recipe yields 6 cups of stew, which serves 3-4 people. If you're feeding a larger family, I recommend doubling all of the ingredients. The cooking instructions remain the same.
    • I used the Italian vegetables here, which include broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, carrots and red bell pepper. You can substitute with an equal amount of any frozen vegetables that you prefer!
    • I steam the vegetables in the microwave before adding them to the meatball stew. This allows me to control the tenderness of the vegetables and prevents overcooked, mushy veggies.
    • You can substitute ground turkey or ground chicken in place of the beef. Just make sure that whatever meat you use is at least 96% lean, since you will not be draining the meat after it's cooked. You don't want any extra grease in your stew.
    • Use your hands or a fork to gently combine the beef mixture, being careful not to over-mix (that will result in a tough, dry meatball).
    • This is a thick stew with minimal broth. If you want a thinner consistency so that it's more like a soup, just add extra beef broth at the end. 
    • I serve my kids' stew over pasta or rice, which they love. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cup | Calories: 206kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 75mg | Sodium: 1318mg | Potassium: 1032mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 4300IU | Vitamin C: 54.4mg | Calcium: 93mg | Iron: 3.8mg

    This recipe was originally published in October, 2014. It was updated in December, 2018.

    Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial, and/or link to any products or services from this website.

    « Aunt Bee's 5-Minute 5-Ingredient Cherry Dump Cake
    4-Ingredient Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce »

    Follow The Seasoned Mom on Instagram and show us what you're making! Use hashtag #theseasonedmom

    LIKE THIS POST? THEN STICK AROUND!

    GET FREE EMAIL UPDATES WITH EASY, QUICK-PREP RECIPES THAT ELIMINATE MEALTIME STRESS!

    Success! Now before I can send you the free 10-Minute Miracles download, you need to check your email to confirm your subscription. That confirmation email should be waiting for you in your inbox!

    There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

    Powered by ConvertKit

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. AnnMarie

      October 21, 2014 at 4:26 pm

      The meatball stew looks so good. Perfect for my son and husband. Pinned and put it on the menu for next week!

      Reply
      • Blair

        October 22, 2014 at 7:45 pm

        That's great -- enjoy, Ann Marie!

        Reply
    2. Dellene

      October 24, 2014 at 8:16 am

      your meatball stew looks great! love any kind of meatball dish

      Reply
      • Blair

        October 24, 2014 at 2:56 pm

        Thanks, Dellene! 🙂

        Reply
    3. Shannon {Cozy Country Living}

      October 25, 2014 at 10:15 am

      Blair, this looks delicious! What a comforting meal, and it's made in the slow cooker! Pinned and I can't wait to try it! Yum!

      Reply
      • Blair

        October 26, 2014 at 9:02 pm

        Thanks, Shannon! I'm so glad that you stopped by and I appreciate the pin! 🙂

        Reply
    4. Stephanie

      October 25, 2014 at 8:44 pm

      This looks perfect for these cool Fall evenings! Thank you so much for linking up at Tasty Tuesday! Your recipe has been pinned to the Tasty Tuesday Pinterest board! Please join us again this week!

      Reply
      • Blair

        October 26, 2014 at 9:01 pm

        Thanks for visiting, Stephanie, and thank you for the pin too!

        Reply
    5. Ashley ~ 3 Little Greenwoods

      October 25, 2014 at 11:10 pm

      That's what I call "comfort in a bowl"! Thanks for the recipe.

      Thanks so much for sharing on Show Me Saturdays!
      ~ Ashley

      Reply
    6. Jolena @TheRubyKitchen

      October 26, 2014 at 1:47 pm

      Oh my thank you for this - I have been wanting to add some slow cooker recipes to my collection and was running out of ideas!

      Reply
      • Blair

        October 26, 2014 at 8:59 pm

        Glad to help...I hope that you enjoy it! Thanks so much for stopping by. 🙂

        Reply
    7. Thao @ In Good Flavor

      October 27, 2014 at 8:55 pm

      Oh my goodness! These meatballs look great..so good and hearty!

      Reply
      • Blair

        October 28, 2014 at 10:42 am

        Thanks, Thao! 🙂

        Reply
    8. Laura@Baking in Pyjamas

      November 02, 2014 at 10:57 am

      How delicious, what a hearty meal to warm your stomach on cold night. This has been featured as one of my favourites over at Sweet and Savoury Sunday. Stop by, grab a button and link up again with us this week. Have a great day!

      Reply
    9. Laura

      November 03, 2014 at 7:29 am

      Oooo yes please. I'm clicking over there to read and pin right now. It sounds yummy and right up my street.

      Reply
      • Blair

        November 03, 2014 at 11:18 am

        Thanks, Laura! 🙂

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hey, I'm Blair!

    Welcome to my farmhouse kitchen in the foothills of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains. Inspired by local traditions and seasonal fare, you'll find plenty of easy, comforting recipes that bring your family together around the table. It's down-home, country-style cooking!

    Read More

    Want Quick-Prep Recipes?

    Sign up for my exclusive emails and get this free guide!

    Success! Now before I can send you the free 10-Minute Miracles download, you need to check your email to confirm your subscription. That confirmation email should be waiting for you in your inbox!

    There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

    No spam guaranteed. Unsubscribe at any time. Powered by ConvertKit

    © 2017–2022 The Seasoned Mom     About     Privacy