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When it comes to cozy family dinners, nothing beats a big pot of homemade meatballs simmered in marinara sauce. This easy slow cooker meatballs and sauce recipe takes all the work out of it — no browning or precooking required. Just mix, roll, and let your crock pot do the rest.
I love this recipe because it’s the perfect balance of healthy and comforting. Using lean ground beef (or turkey) keeps the meatballs light enough for a Weight Watchers friendly dinner, while the slow simmer infuses them with rich, Italian-inspired flavor.
Serve them over whole wheat spaghetti, spaghetti squash or skinny zucchini noodles (aka “zoodles”) for a lighter twist. Or tuck them into rolls with melted cheese for easy homemade meatball subs. However you serve them, they’re always a hit.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Hands-off cooking: The slow cooker does all the work, so you can come home to tender, flavorful meatballs without standing over the stove.
- Healthy comfort food: Made with lean ground beef or turkey, this is a Weight Watchers friendly meatball recipe that doesn’t sacrifice flavor.
- Family-friendly favorite: Kids and adults alike love these juicy meatballs simmered in marinara sauce.
- Versatile serving options: Enjoy them over pasta, zucchini noodles, spaghetti squash, or as cheesy meatball subs.
- Make-ahead friendly: Leftovers reheat beautifully for quick lunches or another easy dinner.
Ingredients
- Lean ground beef (93% or leaner): Using lean beef keeps the meatballs juicy without being greasy. You can also swap in ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
- Egg: Acts as a binder to hold the meatballs together and gives them structure.
- Breadcrumbs: Help the meatballs stay tender. Whole wheat breadcrumbs or panko both work well.
- Parmesan cheese: Adds a savory, nutty flavor and a touch of richness to the meatballs.
- Garlic powder & onion powder: Simple pantry spices that bring classic Italian flavor.
- Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper: Round out the seasoning and give the meatballs that familiar comfort food taste.
- Jarred marinara sauce: Use your favorite store-bought brand or homemade. Choose one without added sugar to keep this Weight Watchers slow cooker recipe lighter.
Step by Step Instructions
- Mix the meatball ingredients: In a large mixing bowl (affiliate link), combine the ground beef, egg, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir gently until everything is evenly mixed — don’t overwork the meat or the meatballs can become tough.
- Form the meatballs: Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls (about the size of a golf ball). Place them directly into the bottom of your slow cooker.
- Add the sauce: Pour the marinara sauce evenly over the meatballs, making sure they’re covered.
- Cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the meatballs are fully cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F).
- Serve: Gently stir the sauce and meatballs together before serving. Enjoy over pasta, veggie noodles, or in a sub roll with melted cheese.
Recipe Notes and Tips
- Meat options: While I usually make these with lean ground beef, you can also use ground turkey, chicken, or even a mix of turkey and Italian turkey sausage for lighter flavor with a little extra spice.
- Sauce choices: A simple jarred marinara works great, but feel free to experiment with tomato basil, roasted garlic, or even arrabbiata for a spicier kick. Homemade marinara or slow cooker spaghetti sauce also work well. For a chunkier sauce, use diced tomatoes instead of crushed.
- Extra flavor: If you like, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a handful of chopped fresh parsley for a fresher finish.
- Browning option: You don’t need to brown these meatballs before adding them to the crock pot, but if you prefer a firmer texture and a little caramelization, sear them in a skillet first.
- Make-ahead tip: Meatballs can be mixed and shaped the night before, then stored covered in the fridge until you’re ready to cook.
WW Points and Nutritional Information
According to my calculations each serving of meatballs has about 408 calories.
To see the WW Points for this recipe, track it in the WW App!
(You must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.)
Old WW Points: 10 PointsPlus
(Keep in mind that nutrition values will vary depending on the exact ingredients and brands you use.)
Serving Suggestions
- Healthy pasta dinner: Serve these slow cooker meatballs and sauce over whole wheat spaghetti or higher protein pasta for a lightened-up Italian classic that’s family-friendly and filling.
- Low carb option: Pair with zucchini noodles (zoodles) or roasted spaghetti squash for a Weight Watchers friendly low carb meal. (See my Easy Crock Pot Baked Spaghetti Squash for a simple method.)
- Meatball subs: Pile meatballs into toasted rolls, top with roasted bell peppers, and finish with melted mozzarella for hearty crock pot meatball subs.
- Balanced plate: Add a side of simple green salad or roasted vegetables for extra fiber and nutrition. (I often pair these with my Italian arugula salad, a longtime family favorite.)
- Meal prep friendly: These meatballs reheat beautifully, making them perfect for WW meal prep lunches or easy weeknight dinners straight from the freezer.
Here’s another favorite low calorie meatball recipe that cooks quickly thanks to the InstantPot – Instant Pot Italian Meatballs
If you’ve made these Crock Pot Meatballs, please give the recipe a star rating below and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. And stay in touch on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates.
Easy Slow Cooker Meatballs and Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 1-1/2 pounds 93% lean ground beef
- 1 large egg
- 3/4 cup Italian style bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 jar (28 ounces) marinara sauce (I like Classico and Bertolli)
- 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes in puree
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 bay leaf, optional
Instructions
- Ideal Slow Cooker Size: 4 to 6-Quart (Your slow cooker should be between 1/2 and 3/4 full.)
- In a large bowl, gently mix together the beef, egg, bread crumbs, grated Parmesan, parsley, onion and garlic powder until well combined.
- Shape the mixture into 18 golf-ball sized meatballs.
- Place meatballs in the slow cooker.
- Stir together the marinara sauce, crushed tomatoes, garlic, Italian seasoning and bay leaf, if using. Pour over the meatballs.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours, until the meatballs are cooked through.
- If you used a bay leaf, fish it out and discard before serving.
Notes
(Must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.) 10 PointsPlus (Old plan) For a chunkier sauce, use diced tomatoes instead of crushed.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
More Easy Meatball Recipes for WW
If you loved this easy slow cooker meatballs and sauce recipe, you’ll want to try these other Weight Watchers friendly ideas for meatballs:
- WW Spaghetti and Chicken Meatballs: A Weight Watchers chicken meatball recipe that keeps spaghetti night light and family-friendly.
- Easy Slow Cooker French Onion Meatballs: A 2-ingredient crock pot meatball recipe that’s quick, budget-friendly, and perfect for busy weeknights.
- Slow Cooker Cranberry Meatballs: Tangy, sweet, and savory — an ideal holiday appetizer or weeknight dinner idea.
- Easy Slow Cooker Italian Wedding Soup: A lightened-up take on the Italian classic, with tender meatballs, greens, and tiny pasta in a savory broth.
- Crock Pot Italian Meatball Soup: A hearty meatball soup recipe that delivers all the flavors of Italian comfort food in a simple one-pot meal.
- Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers: A healthy slow cooker recipe that pairs perfectly with pasta or rolls for an easy dinner.
These meatballs are easy and delicious.
Try them, you won’t be disappointed.
Hi, I thought the recipe looked delish, however when I saw the fat and calories I was shocked! How could this recipe actually be 408 calories and 16 grams of fat. There must be something wrong because this isn’t any kind of fat and calories I’ve ever seen for a Weight Watchers recipe before????
Would you have a conversion for the instant pot?
Hi Nicole, I haven’t made meatballs in the Instant Pot. Here’s one that should work: https://www.365daysofcrockpot.com/instant-pot-meatballs/ She cooked them for 5 minutes and then did a natural release for 10 minutes. Hope it helps. ~Martha
Delicious
Love your recipes, but I can’t eat tomatoes and my husband doesn’t like them cooked in any way – would love to find good slow cooker recipe for swedish meatballs. Do you have any?
Hi Janice, I don’t have one off the top of my head, but will add it to my list of recipes to find and share. Here’s an easy meatball recipe that is tomato free: https://simple-nourished-living.com/easy-slow-cooker-french-onion-meatballs/
Would you happen to know how many smart points just for the meatballs? I have a 0 SP Marinara I can use, so my points would only be for the balls. Thanks!
Hi Kristine, unfortunately I don’t but I am sure you can figure it out with the WW recipe builder. Just add up the meatball ingredients!!
Excellent! I loved having this in the crockpot all day while I was busy with other things. Great flavor, nice meatballs, too.
Thanks, Debby!
Look delicious, but where do you use the sugar and is it really needed?
These meatballs looks delectable. I’ll be trying this one soon. Thanks!
Hope you like them, Mary!
This looks LOVELY! Have wanted to try crockpot sauce for a long time – never quite had the courage! But I truly think that this picture sells me — I’m ready to give it a try!!! Can almost taste it now.