Slow Cooker Meatballs Recipe - Food Fanatic
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Slow Cooker Meatballs Recipe

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    4 Servings

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds Ground Beef
  • 1 cup Italian Style Bread Crumbs
  • 1 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
  • 1 Egg, lightly beaten
  • 1/2 cup Fresh Parsley, chopped
  • 5-6 pinches Fennel Seed, divided between meatballs and sauce
  • 3 tablespoons Olive Oil
  • 1 large Onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup Boiling Water
  • 1/4 teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper
  • 1 6 ounce can Tomato Paste
  • 30 ounces Tomato Puree, 2 15 ounce cans
  • 2 tablespoons Oregano
  • 1 tablespoon Granulated Sugar
  • 3 tablespoons Fresh Basil, chopped
  • Salt and Pepper, to taste

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, mix the ground beef, bread crumbs, Parmesan, egg, parsley, and fennel.  Shape the mixture into balls, approximately the size of golf balls (using a cookie scoop works well).
  2. In a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat, add olive oil and sauté onion and garlic for about 5 minutes, or until onion is soft and golden.
  3. Stir in the tomato paste and sugar. Add the water and stir until well combined, about 1 to 2 minutes.
  4. Add the tomato puree, oregano, red pepper flakes, fennel, basil and stir.  Pour sauce into slow cooker. Place meatballs into the sauce mixture.
  5. Cook on Low for 6 to 8 hours.
Slow cooker meatballs photo
Source: Adapted from Dinner: A Love Story by Jenny Rosenstrach