Meatballs are one of the most versatile dishes you can add to your culinary repertoire--master the technique and then simply by tweaking a few ingredients a meatball dish can be an Italian feast, an Asian appetizer or a barbecue-flavored halftime treat. Making meatballs in a crock pot is easy, if a few simple steps and tips are followed.
Instructions
Adapting a recipe to a slow cooker
1. Review your favorite meatball recipe. If it does not include a lightly beaten egg, add one since the egg helps to bind the ingredients and helps to prevent the meatballs from falling apart as they cook.
2. Add fresh or dried breadcrumbs, crushed crackers or uncooked rice if your recipe does not include them and if the consistency of the meatballs after adding the egg still seems too soft. Mix in a tablespoon at a time until you have a firm texture--again to help prevent the meatballs from becoming too soft during the long simmer.
3. Prepare the meatballs the night before cooking and refrigerate them on a sheet pan or platter so they remain separated, or brown the meatballs in a skillet and refrigerate. Both methods will help keep the meatballs firm.
4. Pour a little sauce in the bottom of the crock pot. If using a commercially made sauce like Italian marinara, barbecue, or sweet and sour sauce, thin it with a little broth or water. The sauce should be the consistency of a thick soup, as it will reduce a little in the slow cooker. Add the meatballs and then more sauce, making sure the meatballs are covered.
5. Cook the meatballs in the crock pot on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours.
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