This is how to cook frozen meatballs in Crockpot with spaghetti sauce until tender. Like our pressure cooker frozen meatballs, but cooked slow, this is a really cheap appetizer or dinner idea over pasta we love.
I am all about easy meals so these frozen meatballs in Crockpot are great for busy days we have often. Throwing a party? These are my go to appetizers too! Easy Crockpot recipes rock.
You can use your favorite sauce, but spaghetti sauce, teriyaki, or BBQ are the easiest. How to cook frozen meatballs on low or high isn’t as hard as you might think, this is a game changer y’all. You literally throw it all in there, using frozen, plop the top on and walk away. In 6 hours they’re done to perfection and ready to enjoy.
I have done this time and time again to bring to a potluck. You can mix and match with the popular chili sauce and grape jelly mixture, bbq sauce or use a bottle of Ragu pasta sauce like you see here!! If hosting a party make all 3 for lots of choices. 😉
I always have a few bags of beef and frozen turkey meatballs in my freezer. They make a cheap easy Crockpot meal or sure.
Frozen Meatballs in Crockpot with Spaghetti Sauce
The first time I made this, seen here, it was an experiment. I dumped in one bag with a jar of spaghetti sauce and turned it on low. At hour 4 I checked, but it wasn’t quite there. Left alone for a few more hours and at hour 6 it was perfect. I left them on warm for another hour until dinnertime and paired them with butter egg noodles and this because one of our favorite easy meals.
Other Sauce Options
You can use the sauce from our Swedish Meatball Sauce with Sour Cream recipe if you like those flavors. You can use 16 oz. of teriyaki sauce with a sprinkle of sesame seeds on top when done. Using a jar of sweet baby ray barbecue sauce is another option. Or whisk together a jar of grape jelly + chili sauce and pour that on top for grape jelly and chili sauce meatballs.
How Long to Cook Frozen Meatballs in Crockpot on Low
I highly meatballs in the slow cooker on low for a slow cook because rushing things defeats the purpose. They will be defrosted and pretty tender at hour 4 or so but 6 hours is better to soak up the sauce and become more flavorful.
If you want to make a batch of homemade basic meatballs without breadcrumbs you can do that too. You’ll need to bake them beforehand, then add them with sauce and keep on low for just a few hours to warm.
Since you aren’t cooking them in this case, there’s less slow cooker cook time but a lot more prep. For a super FAST way to go, follow our frozen meatballs in air fryer directions. We can help you right here below. Print it out and keep handy or just come back and visit us every time you want to make a batch.
How do you know when they are done?
It is all about the texture with these, they should become fork tender, so much so that you can cut them with the side of a fork. Know that frozen meatballs are actually precooked so all you are doing is really defrosting them and warming the center. The meat is not raw so you don’t really have to worry about that though the insides should still reach 165F.
FAQ
Nature’s Promise is quite popular, I prefer Johnsonville myself. Most stores have their own which will be the cheapest. If you prefer chicken or turkey I have seen those as well, which will be lowest in fat.
Yes, that is what we do in the slow cooker all the time. Not only is it easier this way but the meat soaks up the flavors in the sauce while they cook and get tender so they taste a lot better vs. defrosting in microwave and tossing with a sauce.
Once your frozen meatballs cooked in sauce are cooked in your slow cooker you can switch it to the “keep warm” setting for a 2-3 hours. Beyond that they will begin to get really soft and start to fall apart.
You can, once it has cooled to room temperature. Store in a sealed container and store in the fridge for 2 days and reheat in the microwave for 1 minute. I wouldn’t recommend freezing previously frozen foods though.
Frozen Meatballs in Crockpot Recipe
Equipment
- 1 slow cooker
Ingredients
- 1-2 bag frozen meatballs, frozen (I used 1 bag of 28 but could use 2 bags of small meatballs) Italian meatballs or turkey
- 1 jar spaghetti sauce, 15.5 oz at least, or bbq sauce, or half grape jelly and half chili sauce
Instructions
- Pour frozen meatballs in slow cooker.
- Pour jar of spaghetti sauce over the top so they're all coated. You could alternatively use 16 oz. of bbq sauce if you prefer.
- Put lid on and set to low for 6 hours to get really tender, could push it to 8. If serving to a crowd, turn to warm after 8 max hours on low.
Video
Notes
Crockpot Frozen Meatballs on High
If you would rather use the high setting it would take 3-4 hours instead to get tender in a sauce.Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Storing Leftovers
If you do have some uneaten you want them to cool completely. Transfer what is left to an airtight container in the fridge. They will keep and be reheated within 3 days. Keep in mind they will continue softening over time.
Thank you so much for your help. I’m sorta new at cooking. Lol, I definitely will be looking out for more of your advice.
Glad I could help
Easy!!
My mom has been looking for more crockpot ideas since it’s so hot so hot out! I’m going to send her this one!
Yay!
My family’s ‘go-to’ party pleaser has long been the chili sauce/jelly cocktail meatballs. Everyone ALWAYS raves over them and I’ve been fine with allowing folks to think I slaved over them. I have experimented with different jelly flavors, I add a dash of red cooking wine or a dash of Worcestershire and alway add a small can of pineapple tidbits WITH their juice. Last night I tossed 2 bags of frozen meatballs and just the chili sauce into the crock pot and put it on low, meaning to add jelly etc after folding a load of laundry. Its 14 hours later now!! I forgot ALL about them. Are they still good???