Slow Cooker Tomato Sauce with Meatballs

Slow Cooker Tomato Sauce made with meatballs served over cooked pasta makes a delicious meal any night of the week.  

Cooking the sauce low and slow all day is another family friendly crock pot recipe. It also helps make the house smells like Little Italy!

My recipe for Homemade Tomato Sauce with Meatballs is one of those recipes that I don't really have a recipe. I mean, not one written down. It's a recipe I've developed over the 30 plus years I've been married.

This is the first time I'm actually writing it down.  Silly, I know.  But like any other good Italian cook I've always just added a little of this, a little of that and my delicious tomato sauce was made!

If you've been a follower of my site for awhile, you'll know that when I first was married I didn't know how to cook anything.

I finally asked my mom had to make homemade tomato sauce for meatballs. Of course my mom didn't have a recipe written down either. Over the years I've adapated the recipe my mom dictated to me over the phone with what my family enjoys.

lIf you grow tomatoes, check out my posts on how to grow tomatoes and how to peel tomatoes.

Table of Contents

• Crock Pot Tomato Sauce
• How to Freeze Cooked Ground Beef
• Helpful Kitchen Tools
• Main Ingredients Needed
• Step-by-Step Directions
• Slow Cooker Cooking Instructions
• Recipe Variations
• Storing Tips
• Recipe FAQ's
• Recipe Card
• 💬 Comments

Crock Pot Tomato Sauce

You can make this recipe in a crock pot or on top of the stove in a heavy pan. I like to use my crcok pot because there's no risk of burning the sauce while I'm busy working.

But when I'm pressed for time, I will put out my heavy saucepan and make it like I did when I was first married.

I hope you'll use this recipe as a guide and adjust the seasonings to your family's taste. Because that's what all good home-cooks do. We cook for our family.

How to Freeze Cooked Ground Beef

When I make homemade meatballs, I usually make more than my family will eat for one meal. What I like to do is make around 15 or 20 meatballs but only add 6 or 8 to the crock pot with the sauce ingredients.

Here's how to freeze cooked ground beef or partially cooked meatballs:

• Place the partially cooked meatballs on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
• Allow them to cool slightly.
• Then place the baking tray in the freezer to flash freeze the meatballs for about 30 minutes.
• Once frozen, wrap them in aluminum foil and store in a freezer-safe plastic container or bag.

The next time you're making homemade tomato sauce, pull the frozen meatballs out of the freezer. Add them frozen to the slow cooker and they'll be cooked through by the time the homemade marinara sauce is done.

Helpful Kitchen Tools

This post contains affiliate links. That means that if you make a purchase after clicking on a link I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, click here.

More InformationMore InformationMore InformationMore InformationMore InformationMore InformationMore Information

Main Ingredients Needed

This is an overview of the ingredients and instructions. Be sure to see the recipe card below for exact quantities, detailed instructions and special notes.

Ingredients for the Meatballs

• Ground beef
• Breadcrumbs
• Garlic
• Chopped onion
• Dried parsley
• Salt
• Pepper
• Egg
• Milk
• Vegetable oil for frying.

Ingredients for the Tomato Sauce

• Tomato puree
• Crushed tomatoes
• Garlic
• Dried basil
• Sugar
• Dried Parsley
• Water

Step-by-Step Directions

• Step 1: In a bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, garlic, salt, pepper, parsley and milk together in a large bowl. Shape into meatballs.
• Step 2: After they have been formed, refrigerate them for 15 minutes to firm up before browning them in the frying pan.
• Step 3: Add enough oil to cover the bottom of a heavy frying pan. Allow the oil to heat up and then add the meatballs. Brown the meatballs on all sides.
• Step 4: Remove from the pan and allow to drain on paper towels for a few minutes while you prepare the tomato sauce.

• Step 5: Add the ingredients for the tomato sauce to the slow cooker.
• Step 6: Use the back of a spoon or the meat chopped to break up the whole tomatoes.
• Step 7: Add the meatballs.  

📌Expert Tip: If you want a more smoother tomato sauce you can add the plum tomatoes to a blender to get the consistency you like before adding them to the slow cooker.

Slow Cooker Cooking Instructions

• Cook on low for 4 to 6 hours or until the meatballs are cooked through.  
• Serve over cooked spaghetti.

⭐Before You Begin! If you make this recipe, please leave a review and star rating. This helps my business thrive and continue providing FREE recipes.

Recipe Variations

• Serve the slow cooker tomato sauce and meatballs over cooked spaghetti.
• You can also prepare meatball sandwiches by slicing the meatballs and adding them to a hard roll. Top with the slow cooker tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese and serve.
• This is the same homemade marinara sauce I use for my eggplant parmesan and homemade pizza.

Storing Tips

• Store the leftover sauce in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.
• You can also freeze the leftover sauce in airtight containers for up to 3 months.

Recipe FAQ's

 Printable Meal PlannerClick HERE for More Information

 

Recipe Card

This recipe has been updated since it first appeared in 2017 with new photos, information and a new printable recipe card that includes nutritional information. I hope you enjoy the updates as much as I enjoyed working on them!