Big Meatball Italian Meatloaf (Slow Cooker)

Love juicy, moist, savory meatballs? Slow cooker Italian meatloaf tastes exactly like a giant meatball served on spaghetti. This easy weeknight recipe combines ground beef, parmesan, seasonings, and bread crumbs, all smothered in marinara sauce, and cooked in the crock pot for a hands-off, effortless dinner.

Italian Meatball Meatloaf – Easy Weeknight Win in The Crockpot

This meatball meatloaf is one of the many recipes passed to me from my mom in her unconventional manner – photocopied from an overdue library book.

When she handed me this slow cooker Italian meatloaf recipe, I’ll be honest, it seemed like a pretty uninspiring list of ingredients. How could such a simple combo warrant such a strong recommendation from my mother? But after making it the first time (and quickly becoming one of our favorite easy dinner ideas), I understand why it got the “good!” stamp of approval from my mom.

The slow cooker makes the meat super moist and tender, just like when we make carne asada in the crockpot. Plus using a smaller amount of bread crumbs makes it less dense and overly bonded, while the parmesan cheese also helps bind together the meat. This is a trick my Italian grandmother used when making her famous no bread crumb juicy meatballs.

I wish I could give credit where credit is due for this recipe, but I have no idea where it came from. Let’s just leave it at Adapted from Some-Random-Library-Cookbook-My-Mom-Had-On-Her-Counter-20-Years-Ago. 

Love this recipe! So easy to make, great for the work week, and it has become a regular request from my family.

—Sarah

Let’s Make This Together!

(Below shows step-by-step photos and modified instructions. For the complete recipe, along with ingredient amounts, scroll down to the recipe card.)

Mix up the flavor

In a large bowl combine whisked eggs, garlic, parmesan, bread crumbs, parsley, salt, and pepper. If you are looking for a meatball substitute for the bread crumbs, check out the ideas below. I’ve swapped it out with great results plenty of times!

Add in the ground beef

Since the meatloaf cooks in the slow cooker for an extended time, I recommend using a leaner ground beef. Don’t worry about a tough meatball texture. Cooking it in the spaghetti sauce infuses everything with flavor and makes it nice and juicy.

Shape and slow cook

Fit the bottom of the crockpot with a long piece of folded foil or parchment paper. This will help you easily lift out the meatloaf once it’s done cooking.

Shape the meat mixture into a loaf, pour the marinara on top, and cook on high for 3 hours. Serve with mashed potatoes, pasta, rice, or choose from any of these sides dishes to go with meatloaf.

Did you make this recipe? I love hearing from you! Leave a star rating and comment below the recipe card. It helps others when searching for recipes and I appreciate feedback from our community. You will always hear back from me! -Melissa

4.39 stars (21 ratings)

Big Meatball Italian Meatloaf (Slow Cooker)

Melissa Erdelac

Yield: 8

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 3 hours hrs

Total Time: 3 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Love juicy, moist, savory meatballs? Then this recipe is a must make! Slow cooker Italian meatloaf tastes exactly like a giant meatball served on spaghetti. This easy weeknight recipe combines ground beef, parmesan, seasonings, and bread crumbs, all smothered in marinara sauce, and cooked in the crock pot for a hands-off, effortless dinner.

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Ingredients

 

½x1x2x

• ▢ 3 large eggs, lightly beaten
• ▢ 2 garlic cloves, minced
• ▢ 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan
• ▢ ½ cup bread crumbs, see recipe notes for gluten-free
• ▢ ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
• ▢ 1 ½ teaspoon salt
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
• ▢ 2 pounds lean ground beef
• ▢ 2 cups jarred marinara sauce, (can use additional for serving)
• ▢ For serving spaghetti, regular or gluten free

Equipment

• ▢
  Slow Cooker
• ▢
  Cheese Grater

Instructions

 

• Fold a 2-foot length of aluminum foil or parchment in half lengthwise. Place it in the slow cooker in the lengthwise direction, pressing along bottom and sides. Roll over the excess foil to make "handles" for lifting when the meatloaf is done.
• In a large bowl whisk together the eggs, garlic, Parmesan, bread crumbs, parsley, salt, and pepper. Add the ground beef and mix throughly with spoon or hands until mixture is evenly incorporated.
  3 large eggs, 2 garlic cloves, 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan, ½ cup bread crumbs, ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley, 1 ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon ground pepper, 2 pounds lean ground beef
• Shape it into a loaf and carefully place in the slow cooker on top of foil. Pour 2 cups of marinara over the top.
  
  2 cups jarred marinara sauce
• Cover and cook on HIGH for 3 hours or until thermometer reads 165-170ºF.
  
• Carefully lift meatloaf out of slow cooker with handles and place on platter to serve with extra marinara. Cut into slices and serve with pasta, if desired.

Notes

Gluten-Free Substitute for Bread Crumbs

To make a gluten-free recipe, swap out store bought or homemade gluten-free bread crumbs in an equal amount. I’ve also replaced them with an equal amount of GF quick oats with great results.

 

Calories: 271kcal, Carbohydrates: 9g, Protein: 32g, Fat: 10g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Cholesterol: 140mg, Sodium: 1106mg, Potassium: 652mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 610IU, Vitamin C: 7mg, Calcium: 192mg, Iron: 4.2mg

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