06/07/2026
Cheesy Slow Cooker Meatball Stew
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
1 lb ground beef (or a blend of beef and ground pork)
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1 large egg
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp Italian seasoning
Salt and black pepper, to taste
For the Stew & Sauce:
1 jar (24 oz) marinara or tomato-based pasta sauce
1/2 cup beef broth
1 small onion, finely diced
1 bell pepper, chopped (optional)
1 tsp red pepper flakes (for a bit of heat)
For the Topping:
1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
Form the Meatballs: In a large bowl, mix together the ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Roll the mixture into uniform, bite-sized meatballs.
Layer in the Slow Cooker: Place the diced onions (and bell peppers if using) at the bottom of the slow cooker. Arrange the meatballs gently on top of the vegetables.
Add the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk the marinara sauce, beef broth, and red pepper flakes together. Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the meatballs, ensuring they are well covered.
Slow Cook: Cover and cook on Low for 6-8 hours or on High for 3-4 hours until the meatballs are completely cooked through and tender.
Add the Cheese: About 15 minutes before serving, uncover the slow cooker and generously scatter the shredded mozzarella cheese over the top of the bubbling stew.
Melt and Serve: Cover again and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted, gooey, and stretching. Serve hot directly from the pot.