Ultimate Slow Cooker Meatballs (Gluten Free)

parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grated cheddar

Nutritional yeast adds a cheesy flavor with fewer calories.

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground pork

Ground turkey is leaner, while ground pork is often less expensive.

breadcrumbs

🥗Healthier: oats

💰Cheaper: crushed crackers

Oats are a healthier binder, while crushed crackers are often cheaper.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: vegetable oil

Avocado oil is healthier, while vegetable oil is typically less expensive.

Pour 28 ounce can of crushed tomatoes into the slow cooker.

Add 1 teaspoon dried oregano and 1/4 teaspoon ground fennel to the tomatoes.

Add 1/4 teaspoon sugar to balance acidity in the tomatoes.

Crush 3 garlic cloves and add them whole to the sauce.

Add 1 tablespoon of butter to the sauce and stir together.

In a large bowl, combine 1 pound of lean ground turkey, 1 beaten egg, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/4 teaspoon ground fennel, gluten-free breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, and grated garlic.

Finely chop baby spinach and add it to the meatball mixture.

Add 1 teaspoon kosher salt and black pepper to the mixture.

Mix the ingredients together with a fork, being careful not to overmix.

Form the mixture into 16 golf ball-sized meatballs.

Place the meatballs in a single layer in a 6 to 7 quart slow cooker.

Cook the meatballs on high for 1.5 to 2.5 hours or on low for 2.5 to 3.5 hours, checking for doneness until they are white all the way through.

Serve the meatballs over spaghetti or in hoagies, sliders, or on their own.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens