Skip to Content
Menu

Slow-Cooker Cheese-Stuffed Meatballs

Corey Valley
Updated Jan 7, 2014
  • Pin
Nothing says "home cooking" like a good plate of meatballs. Tiny balls of fresh mozzarella are the "surprise inside" this hearty dish, which uses the slow cooker as a prep shortcut.

Slow-Cooker Cheese-Stuffed Meatballs

  • Prep Time 30 min
  • Total 5 hr 30 min
  • Servings 6
  • Ingredients 13
  • Pin

Ingredients

  • 2 lb lean (at least 80%) ground beef
  • 1/2 cup Progresso™ Italian style bread crumbs
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon crushed dried basil leaves
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 eggs
  • 8 oz small fresh mozzarella balls
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 jars (25 oz each) tomato pasta sauce
  • 12 oz uncooked spaghetti
Make With
Progresso Breadcrumbs

Instructions

  • Step 
    1
    In large bowl, mix beef, bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, salt, basil, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, garlic and eggs. Shape into 14 to 16 (2-inch) meatballs. Press 1 small mozzarella ball into center of each meatball, sealing it inside.
  • Step 
    2
    In 10- to 12-inch skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add meatballs; cook just until browned on all sides.
  • Step 
    3
    Pour 1 jar of the pasta sauce into 3- to 4-quart slow cooker. Carefully place browned meatballs over sauce. Pour second jar of pasta sauce over meatballs.
  • Step 
    4
    Cover; cook on Low heat setting 5 to 6 hours.
  • Step 
    5
    When about 15 minutes are left, cook and drain pasta as directed on package. Serve meatballs and sauce over cooked spaghetti.

Nutrition

900 Calories
40g Total Fat
50g Protein
84g Total Carbohydrate
20g Sugars

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 Serving
Calories
900
Calories from Fat
360
Total Fat
40g
61%
Saturated Fat
10g
49%
Trans Fat
1g
Cholesterol
185mg
61%
Sodium
1890mg
79%
Potassium
1210mg
35%
Total Carbohydrate
84g
28%
Dietary Fiber
7g
27%
Sugars
20g
Protein
50g
% Daily Value*:
Vitamin A
40%
40%
Vitamin C
20%
20%
Calcium
35%
35%
Iron
45%
45%
Exchanges:
4 Starch; 0 Fruit; 1 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Skim Milk; 0 Low-Fat Milk; 0 Milk; 1 1/2 Vegetable; 0 Very Lean Meat; 3 Lean Meat; 0 High-Fat Meat; 4 Fat;
Carbohydrate Choice
5 1/2
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Tips from the Betty Crocker Kitchens

© 2025 ®/TM General Mills All Rights Reserved

Reviews & Questions Section