Wondering how long to cook frozen meatballs in crockpot? Frozen meatballs in crockpot — this is super easy and tasty!
They are wonderful for a cozy family dinner — or large enough to feed a crowd at a canapé party. You can cook them into something unforgettable. No need to spend hours over the stove — simply set it and forget it.
In this article, we will explain how long to cook frozen meatballs in a crockpot. We will cover the best cooking times and the tastiest sauces to go with them. Grab your slow cooker and a bag of ready-made meatballs, and let’s start cooking!
Why Use a Crockpot for Frozen Meatballs?
The crockpot is a kitchen superhero, and that includes cooking frozen meatballs in crockpot with sauce. Unlike other methods, cooking meatballs in the slow cooker allows the meatballs to soak in all the flavor of the sauce as they cook while keeping them moist and tender.
The cooking in a crockpot is lovely because it needs minimal effort. You only need to add the meatballs, sauce and any spices you like. Then, just let the crockpot do its thing.
Crockpot cooking is also great for busy lifestyles. It’s a great dish for game days, family get-togethers, or just a regular weeknight dinner. After the matzoh balls have been popped in the crockpot, you can move on with your day with the knowledge that you are, in fact, simmering a delectable meal.
How Long to Cook Frozen Meatballs in Crockpot: Low Heat vs. High Heat
How long to cook frozen meatballs in crockpot depends on your time availability and what texture you like. Here’s a guide to help you determine how much time you need, depending on your heat setting:
Low Heat: 6-8 Hours
If you have time and want the best results, leave frozen meatballs cooking on low for 6-8 hours. I will also make them extremely tender, and likely to fall apart. As they simmer, the sauce penetrates deeply into the meatballs, which makes them juicy and flavorful. I love this dish for its slow cooking time, which allows the flavors to permeate and combine to perfection.
High Heat: 2-3 Hours
Pressed for time? This will yield the best, most delicious results but if you need to make this a more time-sensitive recipe, you can make crockpot frozen meatballs and cook them on high for 2-3 hours. But the texture may not be as tender as it is with cooking on low simmer. The saucy meatballs will still soak up loads of flavor, but you may observe a small difference in tenderness.
Fully Cooked Frozen Meatballs in Crockpot
The time may be a little reduced if you use fully cooked frozen meatballs in a crockpot, as they have been cooked through already. That means you’ll mostly be warming them up and allowing the sauce to meld with them, making them an ideal option on busy days. And whether you cook them low and slow or high and fast, you don’t have to worry about undercooking them.
How to Cook Frozen Meatballs in a Crockpot: A Step-by-Step Guide
Now that you know how much time you need to cook frozen meatballs in crockpot, let us guide you through an easy and foolproof method for cooking frozen meatballs in a crockpot.
Ingredients:
- 1 (32 oz, about 50 meatballs) bag frozen meatballs
- 1 jar of your favorite sauce (BBQ, marinara, grape jelly, etc.)
- (OPTIONAL): garlic powder, chili flakes, or Italian herbs
Instructions:
1. No Thawing Necessary
Add the frozen meatballs directly into your crockpot. You don’t have to thaw them in advance. The slow cooker does all the work, so it’s an easy, no-fuss process.
2. Add the Sauce
Add your sauce of choice over the meatballs. For an Italian flavor, you can opt for a classic marinara sauce. Or try something different like grape jelly BBQ sauce. It brings a sweet and tangy flavor to the meatball.
3. Season to Taste
If you enjoy a boost of flavor, add spices like garlic powder, chili flakes, or Italian seasoning. These will take your meatballs to a whole new level of deliciousness, but are optional.
4. Set and Forget
- Low setting: 6-8 hours cooking time.
- High Heat: Cook for 2–3 hours.
You can stir halfway through if you want it to be coated better in the sauce. Nonetheless, it’s not really necessary. Just let the crockpot do its thing!
5. Serve and Enjoy
After the meatballs have become tender and cooked through, taste the sauce. If it’s too thin, leave the lid off and continue cooking for another 30 minutes to reduce and thicken. Meatballs can be served on a plate covered in pasta as part of the sub sandwich, or even eaten as a snack with your favorite sides.
Flavor Variations to Try with Frozen Meatballs in Crockpot
The best part about the recipes is that you can try a meal of frozen meatballs in crockpot with sauce of different flavors. Fried foods are among the most popular and delicious options:
1. Grape Jelly BBQ Meatballs
You can’t go wrong with this sweet-salty combo. Grape jelly combines with smoky BBQ sauce to form a tangy and flavorful coating for your meatballs. Here’s how to make it:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup grape jelly
- 1 jar BBQ sauce
- 1 bag of frozen meatballs
Instructions:
- In the crockpot, add the grape jelly, BBQ Sauce, and the frozen meatballs.
- Cook for 6-8 hours on low in a crockpot.
- Stir from time to time, and see the glossiness of the glaze thicken with flavor.
2. Marinara Meatballs
For a more traditional Italian twist, use marinara sauce. Throw in a few cloves of garlic, a couple of chopped onions and some Italian herbs and you’ve got yourself some stand out meatballs. Serve with spaghetti for a classic dinner, or use hoagie rolls for a classic meatball sub.
3. Sweet and Spicy Honey Sriracha Meatballs
Looking for something with a bit of a kick? Combine honey with sriracha sauce on this sweet-spicy pairing for fans of heat. Its kind of nice with rice and lovely — just so — on its own.
4. Creamy Alfredo Meatballs
If you prefer something a little more creamy, try Alfredo sauce with the meatballs. This is a rich and indulgent dish well suited for a comforting meal with pasta or roasted vegetables on the side.
5. Teriyaki Meatballs
For a sweet-savory flavor with an Asian flair, forgo BBQ sauce and combine teriyaki sauce and pineapple chunks instead. These meatballs are wonderful alongside steamed rice and stir-fried vegetables.
How to Make Perfect Crockpot Meatballs (Every Time!)
Follow these tips for perfectly frozen meatballs in crockpot every time:
What Not to Do
The crockpot is a forgiving instrument, but if you cook meatballs too long, they will turn dry and tough. To prevent this from happening, always stick to the recommended cooking times for tender meatballs.
Use High-Quality Meatballs
For the highest quality dish, purchase frozen meatballs made with quality ingredients. The quality of the meatball will directly determine the quality of the final dish.
Thicken the Sauce
If your sauce is too thin, you can cook it, lid off, for the last 30 minutes. You can also make a slurry by mixing a little cornstarch with water. Add this to the sauce to thicken it up.
Best Fully Cooked Frozen Meatballs for Crockpot
The best fully cooked frozen meatballs are a fantastic option when using a crockpot. Not only do they save you time (no defrosting required), but they also eliminate any guesswork. You don’t have to worry about whether the meatballs are cooked through — someone already cooked them for you.
Ready made meatballs in slow cooker are incredibly convenient. You can toss them into the crockpot, pour on your sauce of choice, and let the slow cooker do the rest. These meatballs are also consistent in quality, ensuring that your meal will be just as delicious every time.
Final Thoughts
How to cook frozen meatballs in crockpot for an easy, delicious food. They can be cooked for 2-3 hours on high heat.
Or you can cook on low heat for 6-8 hours. That way you’ll have juicy, tasty meatballs every time. Just try different sauces BBQ, marinara, or teriyaki, and you have endless meals to choose from.
Next time you need a quick and delicious meal, buy a bag of frozen, cooked meatballs. Add the sauce you love and let the crockpot do its thing. Dinner just became a lot easier (and tastier)!
More Recipes
