5 Ingredient Slow Cooker Meatballs are simple, saucy, and the ideal kid-friendly dinner. Once you have the meatballs rolled, just let your slow cooker do the work and enjoy in 4 hours!
I had this grand plan on the who, what, when, and why for these 5-ingredient slow cooker meatballs [back to school, COVID-19, etc.], but the truth is I woke up at 5:30am this morning just feeling like I needed to share a recipe. Feeling like I needed to get some thoughts to paper [or the internet]. And now seemed like the right time. So yeah, here’s the recipe for you!
I’m extra emotional today as a dear friend of mine in recovery hits her 1-year anniversary of sobriety. You guys know I’ve been in recovery for over a year now and haven’t hit this milestone yet, but that’s OK. This friend has taught me so much about life, love, and being authentically ME through her own actions and words. And most importantly prayer. She’s also been a huge cheerleader for this blog and my role as Mom and work as registered dietitian. She too has been through a separation with young children, transition from SAHM to WAHM, and alas, recovery brought us together. While it seems a little silly to congratulate someone with 5-ingredient slow cooker meatballs on one year of continuous, uninterrupted sobriety, K gets it. And would see this as a beautiful tribute. She truly leads with love.
K has also taught me that my journey is my own. It’s not hers. Or anyone else’s. It’s Katie’s. And that my journey has brought me to here, today, and today is good. Good might not be great, but that doesn’t mean I have to go back to anything less than what today is. So, I will keep on this path, because I know from K’s experience, strength, and hope, that the longer on stay on the beam, or on this path, things will continue to improve. One day at a time.
So, here’s to meatballs. Friendship. Recovery. And most importantly loving and being true to ourselves.
- 1 pound Ground Sirloin
- ½ yellow onion, diced
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- ½ cup grape jelly
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- Shape meatballs using a tablespoon measurement. Add to bottom of slow cooker insert.
- Add remaining ingredients. Stir to combine.
- Cook on low for 4-5 hours. Serve over rice with extra sauce.
Oh, and in case you were wondering, you can totally make these 5-ingredient meatballs with more than 5 ingredients. I just made these on a whim before heading to the pool one morning and came home to a saucy, sweet surprise! It wouldn’t hurt to add an egg or breadcrumbs to the meatball mixture for some texture, but it’s not required. The flavor is definitely in the simplicity of the beef and the sweetness of the sauce! You can also serve these meatballs as-is, in a sub bun, over rice or pasta, you can also freeze the finished product and reheat another night.
Interested in more meatball recipes? You might find one or two you like here!
Slow Cooker Meatballs and Tomato Sauce
