Slow Cooker Meatballs

App Attack!

For Christmas Eve, I made meatballs in the Crock-Pot, and thought it would be the perfect appetizer to serve at a New Year’s Eve party! Growing up, we always would eat tons of appetizers and finger foods on New Year’s Eve. It was so fun getting to stay up until midnight eating snacks, drinking sparkling cider, and waiting for the ball to drop! Our most common appetizer we would have on New Year’s Eve would be spicy cheese dip…made with a block of soft maybe-not-real cheese. Always a delicious crowd pleaser, but not the most healthy. And now that I know how my body reacts to copious amounts of dairy, I generally steer clear.

So I went a little healthier (and dairy free!) this year. These meatballs are tender, cooked in a flavorful tomato sauce, and so easy to make! Simply make the meat mixture, and toss it all in the slow cooker! I hope your 2019 is a wonderfully blessed year…and I hope you ring in the new year with these Slow Cooker Meatballs!

Makes about 30-35 meatballs.

Ingredients:

For the meatballs:

• 2 lbs of ground beef
• 1/2 cup of almond flour 
• 2 eggs
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 5 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp of Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp of dried basil
• 2 tbsp of chopped fresh parsley
• Optional toppings:
• • Parmesan
• • fresh basil

For the sauce:

• 28 oz crushed tomatoes (no salt or sugar added)
• 28 oz diced tomatoes (no salt or sugar added)
• 15 oz tomato sauce (no salt or sugar added)
• 10 oz tomato paste (no salt or sugar added)
• 2 tbsp of balsamic vinegar
• 8 oz of sliced mushrooms
• 2 tsp of salt
• 1 tsp of Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp of dried basil

Directions:

• Combine all sauce ingredients in a large slow cooker (lined with these for easy cleanup!)
• Combine all meatball ingredients in a large mixing bowl
• Using your hands, make sure all ingredients are well incorporated
• Shape about 2 tbsp worth of meat mixture into balls
• Place meatballs into sauce, making sure they’re covered by sauce
• Cover and cook on high for 3 hours
• Serve warm, with sauce and optional toppings
• Keep leftovers covered in the fridge for a week

For other appetizers, check out my Spicy Garlic Salsa, which is delicious with plantain chips, or my Classic Garlic Hummus…do you think I like garlic? 😛

For a beautiful centerpiece for your New Year’s Day dinner, take a look at my Ghee, Garlic, and Herb Turkey with Gravy, Sheet Pan Salmon, Celebration Steaks with Pan Sauce, or my Roasted Chicken with Carrots; all are simple and delicious!

And for sides or desserts, there are so many options, including my ABC Brussels Sprouts, Roasted Potatoes, Two Layer Paleo Fudge, Dark Chocolate Paleo Brownies, or Wholesome Chocolate Chunk Cookies to name a few!

Let me know what your New Year’s Eve/Day traditions are! Whatever you may be doing, I pray for blessings on your new year, with lots of healthy and good food. Celebrate the new year…and enjoy your pinch of crazy!

This post contains affiliate links; if you purchase using the links, it is of no cost to you, just a small pantry fund for me. Thank you for supporting A Pinch of Crazy!

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