Italian Meatballs in Tomato Sauce
Slow-cooked Italian meatballs in tomato sauce made with beef, Italian turkey sausage, breadcrumbs, milk, onions, cheese, and spices for a tender, flavorful meal.
8 Servings
Ingredients
For the Sauce
- 1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 1 15 oz can crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce
- 3/4 medium onion finely diced
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
For the Meatballs
- 3/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 medium onion finely diced
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 3/4 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
- 1 3/4 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 cup shredded Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 pound ground 90/10 beef
- 1 pound ground Italian turkey sausage
Instructions
Prepare the sauce
- Set the slow cooker to low. Add both cans of crushed tomatoes, diced onion, bay leaf, sugar, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Stir briefly to combine the ingredients evenly.
Hydrate the breadcrumbs
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and milk. Allow the mixture to stand briefly so the breadcrumbs can fully absorb the liquid.
Combine the meatball ingredients
- To the breadcrumb mixture, add the minced garlic, finely diced onion, chopped parsley, black pepper, kosher salt, dried oregano, shredded cheese, and egg. Mix with a fork to incorporate.
- Add the ground beef and Italian turkey sausage. Using clean hands, mix gently until all ingredients are blended without overworking the meat.
Shape the meatballs
- Keep hands slightly wet to prevent sticking. Form the meat mixture into balls approximately 1 tablespoon in size—slightly smaller than a golf ball. Place each formed meatball directly into the sauce.
- If some meatballs are not fully submerged, they will settle during cooking.
Cook
- Cover the slow cooker with its lid.
- Cook on high for approximately 5 hours or on low for 8 to 10 hours, until the meatballs are cooked through and tender.
Serve
- Serve the Italian meatballs in tomato sauce over pasta, on a hoagie roll, or as a standalone appetizer.
- If a thicker sauce is desired, transfer the tomato sauce to a skillet and simmer over medium-high heat until the preferred consistency is reached.
- If fat accumulates on the surface, gently stir it into the sauce before serving.
Notes
To make this Italian Meatballs in Tomato Sauce recipe gluten-free:
- Substitute gluten-free breadcrumbs for standard breadcrumbs.
- Ensure that all packaged ingredients—such as tomato products, spices, and sausage—are labeled gluten-free, as some brands may include additives containing gluten.