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    Home » What We're Eating » Slow Cooker Mozzarella-Stuffed Meatballs

    Slow Cooker Mozzarella-Stuffed Meatballs

    Published: Jul 15, 2016 by Blair Lonergan

    Jump to Recipe
    A collage image of mozzarella stuffed meatballs

    There's no need to heat up your oven or turn on your stove for these easy and healthy Slow Cooker Mozzarella-Stuffed Meatballs! While this delicious comfort food may look rich and cheesy, it's actually a clean eating dinner that's full of protein and vegetables for a nutritious and family-friendly dinner!

    Mozzarella stuffed meatballs on a plate with cheese oozing out

    I know that it might seem a little bit crazy to be sharing a hearty and cozy meatball recipe in the middle of the summer, BUT...listen up! This is actually a lightened-up recipe that's perfect for bathing suit season AND the meatballs and the sauce cook entirely in the slow cooker...meaning you don't even have to heat up your oven on a hot day! Pretty genius, right?

    I actually can't take all of the credit for this particular recipe. A very sweet reader named Julie shared it with me via email a few months ago after creating it for her fiancee. I tweaked Julie's original recipe to make it even easier (I didn't want to have to bake the meatballs or turn on a skillet before using the Crock Pot, and I lightened it up with some lean meat and loads of fresh veggies).

    How to Stuff the Meatballs with Mozzarella

    To stuff the meatballs you need to mix all the ingredients together to make the meatballs apart from the mozzarella. To do this put everything in a bowl and gently massage everything together using your hands.

    Pick up a small amount of meatball mixture, flatten in your hand then add a cube of mozzarella and shape the meat around it to create a meatball. Repeat with the rest of the mixture.

    A pile of mozzarella stuffed meatballs in a blue bowl

    Serving Suggestions and Using Leftovers

    You're going to love these meatballs served over pasta or zucchini noodles, or stuffed inside a hoagie roll. My family devoured them when I first served the meal, and we've enjoyed the leftovers again from the freezer. That's right -- I got TWO dinners from one effort (eat half now, freeze the other half for later), which is the true definition of efficiency! Thanks to Julie for this wonderful idea!

    More Meatball Recipes You Might Like:

    • Italian Baked Turkey Meatballs
    • Slow Cooker Barbecue Meatballs
    • Healthy Chicken Taco Meatballs
    • Aunt Bee's Swedish Meatballs
    Print Pin
    5 from 1 vote

    Slow Cooker Mozzarella-Stuffed Meatballs

    These mozzarella stuffed meatballs are easy, comforting and healthy. Packed with delicious veggies and all made in the slow cooker, it couldn't be easier!
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Keyword Cheese Stuffed Meatballs, Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs, slow cooker meatballs
    Prep Time 30 minutes
    Cook Time 5 hours
    Total Time 5 hours 30 minutes
    Servings 8 (24 total meatballs)
    Calories 253kcal
    Author The Seasoned Mom

    Ingredients

    For the Meatballs:

    • 1.5 lb. ground beef I used 93% lean
    • 1 large egg beaten
    • 2 tablespoons milk
    • 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
    • ¾ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ¼ teaspoon pepper
    • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
    • 1 log 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, or if you can find them I like to use the fresh mozzarella snacking cheese balls because they’re already shaped in exactly the right size – it’s an easy shortcut!

    For the Sauce:

    • 2 carrots grated
    • 1 small onion finely chopped
    • 1 red bell pepper finely chopped
    • 1 8 ounce package sliced mushrooms
    • 1 6 ounce can tomato paste
    • 1 cup beef broth
    • 1 cup marinara sauce homemade or from a jar
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon oregano
    • ½ teaspoon basil

    Instructions

    • Place vegetables (carrots, onion, bell pepper, and mushrooms) in bottom of slow cooker.
    • In a large bowl, use hands to gently combine first 8 meatball ingredients (beef through Italian seasoning). Cut mozzarella into small cubes (about ½-inch diameter). Mold meat mixture around each piece of cheese to form round balls.
    • Place raw meatballs on top of vegetables in the slow cooker.
    • In a separate bowl, combine tomato paste, broth, marinara, salt, oregano, and basil. Pour over meatballs.
    • Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours. Give everything a good stir and serve over pasta, zucchini noodles, or in hoagie rolls!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 253kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 84mg | Sodium: 1066mg | Potassium: 837mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 3525IU | Vitamin C: 28.3mg | Calcium: 162mg | Iron: 3.6mg

     

     

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kimber

      July 15, 2016 at 10:07 am

      These look sooooo good! I love it when feeding your family can still be healthy and delicious!! That shot where the cheese is stretching... oh my!!

      Reply
      • Blair

        July 15, 2016 at 8:33 pm

        That's the key, Kimber! Healthy, delicious, family-friendly! Thanks so much, friend!

        Reply
    2. Jen | Baked by an Introvert

      July 15, 2016 at 11:16 am

      Whoa! That melty cheese in the center of the meatballs has my mouth watering. Love this so much, Blair. Isn't the slow cooker great? I want to make these for hubster!!

      Reply
      • Blair

        July 15, 2016 at 8:33 pm

        You'll score big brownie points with the man of the house if you make these for him...TRUST ME. 🙂

        Thanks, Jen!

        Reply
    3. Robyn @ Simply Fresh Dinners

      July 16, 2016 at 6:10 pm

      5 stars
      Genius recipe, Blair! Kudos to you and Julie for teaming up to create something healthy, delicious and easy! Love it when readers contribute to the blog. Meatballs are the best and I can't wait to try this!
      Enjoy your weekend 🙂

      Reply
      • Blair

        July 16, 2016 at 8:30 pm

        Thanks so much, Robyn! You are SO kind! I hope that you enjoy the weekend as well!

        Reply
    4. Kristy from Southern In Law

      July 18, 2016 at 4:45 pm

      Ooooooh, that gooey cheese looks so so good! I NEED to try this! What a delicious recipe Julie shared!

      Reply
      • Blair

        July 18, 2016 at 7:12 pm

        Hi, Kristy! Thanks so much! It's a keeper!

        Reply

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    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!

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