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    Published: Oct 29, 2021 · Modified: Nov 13, 2021 · By Susan

    Slow Cooker Cheesy Meatball Casserole

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    Slow cooker cheesy meatball casserole is a decadent but easy dinner idea. Meatballs cooked together with tons of cheese, sauce and, fresh kale. A perfect keto meal!

    A square bowl filled with meatballs and melted cheese with basil

    Looking for an easy weeknight dinner recipe that will satisfy the whole family? If you are out of ideas, this casserole dish is just what you need. It is a simple recipe involving minimal prep that will earn you rave reviews.

    This keto meatball casserole is picky-eater friendly and just plain delicious. Even though the prep work is minimal, it is delicious enough to serve any day of the week. It is a wonderful entree but also a great appetizer.

    📝Shopping list

    Ingredients with labels

    To make this easy recipe you will need:

    • Marinara sauce - homemade and jarred sauce both work well
    • Meatballs - Beef, turkey,chicken or pork meatballs would all be delicious . Frozen meatballs are easiest. If you are looking to keep it keto friendly, be sure to purchase keto friendly meatballs.
    • Fresh mozzarella - you will need small pieces so you can either cut them or buy mozzarella pearls.
    • Fresh ricotta cheese
    • Garlic - minced
    • Italian Seasoning
    • Salt & black pepper
    • Kale (optional)
    • Shredded mozzarella
    jump to recipe card for full ingredients list with quantities.

    🥣Assembly instructions

    In a small bowl, mix together ricotta cheese, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.

    Ricotta cheese with spices in a metal mixing bowl

    Next, spread a thin layer of sauce around the bottom of your slow cooker. Add a layer of kale on top of the sauce. Place meatballs into the slow cooker next in their own layer and add some mozzarella pearls in between them. Spread a layer of the ricotta cheese mixture on top.

    Half of slow cooker shows meatball layer other half slowing kale layer

    Add one more of each layer: sauce, kale, meatballs, and mozzarella pearls, and ricotta mixture.

    A layer of ricotta mixture spread on top of meatballs

    Top with a final layer of sauce. Cover slow cooker and cook on low for 4-6 hours. 20 minutes or so prior to serving, sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top. Place the cover back on slow cooker for about 20 minutes to allow topping to melt.

    Cheesy meatballs in slow cooker with melted top layer of cheese

    🍽Serving suggestions

    This easy casserole recipe could really be a complete meal on its own and it will quickly become a family favorite! However, some great side dishes include:

    garlic bread

    green beans

    side salad

    cauliflower rice

    mashed cauliflower

    steamed fresh vegetables

    and zucchini and squash parmesan

    Finished meatball casserole in casserole crockpot

    Grated parmesan cheese and grated romano cheese are great toppings as is fresh chopped basil. If you are not focused on making your meal low carb, pasta would be a great side dish. Alternatively, these cooked meatballs are delicious served in a sub roll.

    Using a big bag of smaller meatballs, this dish effortlessly becomes an easy holiday party appetizer or tailgate party dish

    Storing leftovers

    Leftovers of this delicious meatball recipe can be stored in the refrigerator in airtight containers or bags. This will give you an easy dinner option for 3-5 more days. This dish also freezes well and will last for up 5 months. It reheats well in the microwave for future easy dinners. I like to melt extra cheese on top when reheating to freshen things up.

    Cheesy meatball casserole in a square bowl

    ❓Hints & hacks

    1. If you would rather make this cheesy meatball casserole with homemade meatballs, go for it! Just make sure they are fully cooked before adding them in to your slow cooker.
    2. This simple dinner is picky eater friendly. It is a great one to make on busy weeknights.
    3. Not a fan of kale? It can be omitted.
    4. I you would like to confirm that your meatballs are ready, use a meat thermometor. Re-heated meatballs are considered ready-to-serve with they reach an internal temperature of 140ºF
    5. For easier clean up I use a slow cooker liner.
    6. In the market for a new crock pot? I love mine! The built in thermometer is especially helpful with this recipe.
    Top view of a slow cooker filled with cooked marinara sauce

    ❓Most asked question

    Can you overcook meatballs in a slow cooker?

    Technically, yes. You can overcook meatballs. Overcooked meatballs can either become tough or they can become mushy and fall apart. However, you can keep these keto slow cooker meatballs in your crockpot for up to 24 hours on the warm setting.

    A square bowl filled with meatballs and melted cheese with basil

    Lazy Slow Cooker Cheesy Meatball Casserole

    Slow cooker cheesy meatball casserole is a decadent but easy treat. Mini meatballs cooked together with tons of cheese, sauce, and fresh kale. A perfect keto meal!
    4.50 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate Save Saved!
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 5 hours
    Servings: 6 servings
    Calories: 685kcal
    Author: The Lazy slow cooker
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • 6 quart slow cooker or larger
    • measuring spoons and cups
    • mixing bowl and spoon
    • slow cooker liner (optional)

    Ingredients

    • 2 lbs. mini meatballs, frozen and fully cooked I prefer all beef. Look for keto meatballs if you want a keto friendly final dish
    • 5 cups marinara sauce look for keto friendly sauce if interested in a keto friendly final dish
    • 8 oz. fresh mozzarella pearls or fresh mozzarella cut into ½' squares
    • 8 oz. ricotta
    • 2 cups fresh kale, roughly cut (optional)
    • 1 tbsp. minced garlic
    • 1 tbsp. Italian seasoning
    • ½ tsp. salt
    • ¼ tsp. pepper
    • 1+ cup shredded mozzarella
    • non-stick spray of choice
    • fresh chopped basil to sprinkle on top (optional)

    Instructions

    • in a separate bowl, mix ricotta cheese with all seasonings and set aside
      8 oz. ricotta, 1 tbsp. minced garlic, 1 tbsp. Italian seasoning, ½ tsp. salt, ¼ tsp. pepper
    • spray slow cooker with non-stick spray or insert slow cooker liner
      non-stick spray of choice
    • cover bottom of slow cooker with a thin layer of sauce
      5 cups marinara sauce
    • cover with a layer of kale, if using
      2 cups fresh kale, roughly cut (optional)
    • place a layer of meatballs on top of kale (or sauce)
      2 lbs. mini meatballs, frozen and fully cooked
    • spread a layer of ricotta mixture over kale
      5 cups marinara sauce
    • cover with another layer of sauce
      5 cups marinara sauce
    • place a layer of meatballs on top of sauce
      2 lbs. mini meatballs, frozen and fully cooked
    • place mozzarella pears in between meatballs
      8 oz. fresh mozzarella pearls
    • cover with a layer of sauce.
      5 cups marinara sauce
    • place lid on slow cooker and cook on low until internal temperature of meatballs is 165°F
    • 20 minutes prior to serving. top with 1 cup or more shredded mozzarella. Replace lid and allow mozzarella to melt.
      1+ cup shredded mozzarella

    Notes

    • This recipe was written to be used with pre-cooked meatballs only.  
    • Re-heated meatballs are considered ready-to-serve with they reach an internal temperature of 140ºF
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 685kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 45g | Fat: 50g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 17g | Cholesterol: 156mg | Sodium: 1499mg | Potassium: 1317mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 3463IU | Vitamin C: 43mg | Calcium: 434mg | Iron: 5mg

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    Welcome to The Lazy Slow Cooker. I am so happy you are here! My name is Susan (yep - I am Lazy Susan!) and I am the recipe developer/blogger behind these posts. I am the mom of three amazing but super busy kids and the wife of one awesome and also super busy guy. All 5 of us have very different schedules and I would not survive mealtime without my crockpot. Read More…

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