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Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

Enjoy tender and healthy Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs simmered in a rich, flavorful tomato sauce. This easy, fuss-free recipe uses lean ground turkey combined with simple ingredients, slow-cooked to perfection. Perfect for a comforting family dinner or meal prep, these meatballs deliver wholesome nutrition and delicious Mediterranean-inspired flavors with minimal effort.

  • Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes to 6 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

Meatball Ingredients

  • 1 lb lean ground turkey
  • 1/3 cup bread crumbs (use gluten-free if needed)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese (omit or substitute for dairy-free option)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Tomato Sauce Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, bread crumbs, egg, grated parmesan, minced garlic, finely chopped onion, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly but gently to avoid toughening the meatballs.
  2. Form the Meatballs: Shape the mixture into small meatballs about 1 inch in diameter for even cooking and serving.
  3. Sauté Onions and Garlic: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onions and minced garlic and sauté until fragrant and translucent to build a flavorful sauce base.
  4. Prepare the Tomato Sauce: Add the crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, basil, parsley, sautéed onions, garlic, salt, and pepper into the slow cooker. Stir well to combine.
  5. Add Meatballs to the Sauce: Place the formed turkey meatballs gently into the slow cooker, submerging them in the tomato sauce to keep them moist and flavorful.
  6. Slow Cook: Cover and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours until the meatballs are cooked through and tender.

Notes

  • Use lean but moist turkey; add a bit of olive oil or grated vegetables if mixture feels dry.
  • Sautéing onions and garlic beforehand enhances the sauce’s flavor significantly.
  • Make meatballs uniform in size to ensure even cooking.
  • Avoid stirring too often after adding meatballs to prevent breaking them apart.
  • Taste sauce midway through cooking and adjust salt and herbs for perfect flavor balance.
  • Author: Lina
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 4 to 6 hours (low) or 2 to 3 hours (high)
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: Mediterranean
  • Diet: Gluten Free (with gluten-free bread crumbs)

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving (about 4 meatballs with sauce)
  • Calories: 280
  • Sugar: 6g
  • Sodium: 420mg
  • Fat: 12g
  • Saturated Fat: 3g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 12g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 28g
  • Cholesterol: 85mg

Keywords: slow cooker turkey meatballs, healthy meatballs, tomato sauce recipe, gluten free meatballs, easy dinner, meal prep, lean turkey recipes