Slow Cooker Meatballs and Gravy

These slow cooker meatballs and gravy are savory, delicious, and super easy to make. A delicious and easy dinner recipe that can be served over rice or mashed potatoes, or served as an appetizer that everyone will enjoy.

A meatball on a fork with a bite taken out of it, over a pile of meatballs on a white plate.

I made slow cooker meals all the time since learning how to cook. And, that’s because slow cookers made amazing food. After I had kids, I realized that, while slow cookers do make delicious food, they also make food so convenient. When you’re balancing afterschool activities, your own daily responsibilities, play dates, and all the other things that go into being a mom, you quickly learn the less you have to do the better. That’s why I fell in love with using my slow cooker. It always helped me get something delicious on the table with very little effort.

That’s also why I love this meatball recipe. It’s easy and hearty, and it’s perfect for everything from a weeknight dinner to bringing to potlucks and parties. It’s the ultimate recipe. I mean, hey, who doesn’t love meatballs? I can’t think of anyone. This recipe is featured heavily in my rotation for both dinners and get-togethers, and once you try it, you’ll see why.

Slow Cooker Meatballs and Gravy

This delicious recipe uses frozen meatballs, which cuts down drastically on the prep time. It also uses a brown gravy mix, so you don’t have to stand and whisk a roux and liquid. This semi-homemade wonder has a prep time of minutes. After that, it’s just a matter of waiting for the slow cooker to finish doing its thing. When it’s all said and done, you’ll have a slow cooker filled with tender, juicy meatballs that are absolutely smothered in brown gravy. Serve them over rice or noodles, or simply pop them on toothpicks for appetizers. It all works!

Four meatballs on a white plate with toothpicks in them.

Why You’ll Love These Slow Cooker Meatballs and Gravy

  • It’s a simple, savory dish that uses frozen meatballs.
  • The gravy and meatballs together make the perfect dinner or appetizer.
  • They’re delicious over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes. You can even pop them onto toothpicks for appetizers.
  • It only takes a few simple ingredients that are easily found at your local grocery store.

Slow Cooker Meatballs Tips and Variations

I only have one tip for this recipe. That’s how easy it is. I do, however, have some variations that I think you’ll love.

Tips

  • Always line your slow cooker or spray it with nonstick spray to keep the gravy from burning around the edges at the top.

Variations

  • Use your favorite brand and variety of meatballs in this recipe. You can find them in all kinds of flavors: ground beef, pork, turkey meatballs.
  • Add sliced green onions just before serving.
  • When the meatballs are finished cooking, try adding sour cream to the mix for an extra creamy, tangy kick.
A large ladle of meatballs with gravy.

What to Serve with Slow Cooker Meatballs and Gravy

These meatballs go well with all kinds of foods, so you have a lot of options.

  • Rice
  • Pasta
  • Mashed potatoes
  • Egg noodles
  • Sub rolls (make them a sandwich)
  • Your favorite vegetables
  • Crusty bread
  • Salad
  • Other potluck dishes

Slow Cooker Meatballs and Gravy FAQ

If you have questions about slow cooker meatballs and gravy, then read on. The following FAQ answers the most commonly asked questions about this recipe.

Can you cook meatballs in a crock pot?

You sure can. They’re actually the perfect food to cook in a slow cooker because you can simply toss them in and let them cook until done.

How do you heat precooked frozen meatballs?

Frozen meatballs can be baked per the package directions or in the slow cooker. Either method works very well. You can even cook them in the air fryer.

A white bowl filled with meatballs in the background and meatballs stacked on a white plate.

Can you cook frozen meatballs without defrosting?

You can and you should. They’re made to be cooked from frozen, so the package instructions are for cooking them from frozen.

Is it safe to cook frozen meatballs in a crock pot?

Yes. Meatballs are designed to be cooked from frozen. Also, think about what else we commonly cook in our slow cookers. Raw meat of all sorts is cooked in the slow cooker. Frozen meatballs are precooked, so there’s no need for worry.

Why do my meatballs fall apart in the sauce?

This is a problem found almost exclusively with homemade meatballs. If your meatballs are falling apart, you either used too much or too little binder. Too much bread crumbs will make the meatballs too loose, while not enough will prevent them from holding together, as well.

How to Store and Reheat Leftover Meatballs

Store your meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.

To reheat them, place them back in the slow cooker and cook on low for a couple of hours or until heated through.

Meatballs stacked up on a plate with a bite taken out of the top meatball.

Slow Cooker Meatballs and Gravy Ingredients

It only takes a few simple ingredients to make this recipe. They’re all easily found at your local grocery store.

  • Frozen meatballs
  • Beef broth
  • Brown gravy
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • Ketchup
  • Minced onions
  • Garlic powder
  • Black pepper
  • Red pepper flakes

How to Make Slow Cooker Meatballs and Gravy

Making this recipe is even easier than grabbing the ingredients. It’s absolutely the simplest thing you’ll ever make.

Step 1: Prep

Lightly spray an 8-quart slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.

Step 2: Cook

Pour the frozen meatballs into the slow cooker, then add the remaining ingredients. Cover and cook on high for 3 hours.

A double photo collage of gravy and meatballs on a white plate.

Try This Easy Crockpot Meatballs Recipe Today

This is just about the easiest recipe you’ll ever make, and it’s the perfect appetizer for family dinners, parties, game day, or any kind of gathering. With a recipe this versatile, delicious, and easy, you absolutely need to try it. It’s a semi-homemade wonder that takes almost no prep time whatsoever, and it’s ready in just a few hours. Give it a try, and I know you’ll find yourself making it again and again.

A three photo collage of meatballs and gravy.

More Delicious Slow Cooker Recipes You’ll Enjoy

Slow Cooker Pork Chops with Apples – This is a flavorful and inexpensive meal that is made with freshly sliced apples, tender pork chops, and a creamy gravy.

Slow Cooker Mississippi Pot Roast – This pot roast is tender, juicy, and loaded with pepperocinis and an au jus gravy.

Crock Pot Cheesy Chicken Red Beans and Rice -This ultimate comfort food recipe is loaded with tender chicken, rice, red beans, and cheese and makes a delicious dinner on even the most busiest days.

And, this Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice from Deliciously Seasoned. This is an easy and delicious recipe that is loaded with tender chicken, flavorful rice, and the perfect blend of seasonings.

A meatball on a fork with a bite taken out of it, over a pile of meatballs on a white plate.

Slow Cooker Meatballs and Gravy

Great Grub, Delicious Treats

Slow Cooker Meatballs with Gravy are a super simple crock pot recipe that makes a great appetizer or the perfect comfort meal.

Prep Time 15 mins

Cook Time 3 hrs

Total Time 3 hrs 15 mins

Course Appetizer, Dinner

Cuisine Italian

Servings 10 Servings

Calories 370 kcal

Ingredients  

  • 3 pounds frozen meatballs
  • cups beef broth
  • 1 packet brown gravy
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon dried minced onions
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes

Instructions 

  • Lightly spray an 8 quart crock pot with non-stick cooking spray.

  • Pour frozen meatballs into the crock pot.

  • Add remaining ingredients, stir.

  • Cover and cook on high for 3 hours.

Notes

*If the gravy is to thin, make a cornstarch and water slurry to thicken it up (1 tsp cornstarch to 2 tsp water). Add more if needed.

 

Nutritional values are approximate.

 

Please note that these values can change with different brands and any modifications made to the recipe. For the most accurate information, use a nutritional calculator with the exact brands and measurements.

Nutrition

Calories: 370kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 24gFat: 29gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 98mgSodium: 373mgPotassium: 468mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 58IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 28mgIron: 2mg

Keyword Crockpot Meatballs, frozen Meatballs in Crockpot, Slow Cooker Meatballs and Gravy

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Enjoy, Terri

A crock pot full of meatballs covered in gravy.
Meatballs on a white plate with a meatball with a bite taken out of it on a fork.

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