Slow Cooker Monglian Meatball Ramen

📝Shopping list

To make this easy dinner you will need these items available in any local grocery store:

• meatballs* I like chicken meatballs with this recipe
• beef broth 
• soy sauce I prefer low sodium soy sauce
• brown sugar
• minced garlic
• minced or grated ginger
• ramen cakes

🔪Instructions

This great recipe involves just a few simple steps:

Preparing Ingredients

Prepare your slow cooker by coating it with a non-stick agent.  Any nonstick cooking spray or oil will work. Olive oil and avocado oil are my go-to coatings. 

 NOTE: some slow cooker inserts come with a nonstick surface.  Use of a non-stick agent is still suggested. However, oil is sometimes recommended rather than spray to protect the longevity of the non-stick surface.  Check your slow cooker's manual if you have any concerns. 

Alternatively, you can choose to use a slow cooker liner.  

Get Cooking

• 🥘 To a greased slow cooker, add all ingredients other than meatballs and ramen and stir to combine.
• 🥘 Add meatballs into sauce and toss to fully coat.
• 🥘 Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours or high for 2-3 hours
• 🥘 30 minutes prior to serving, stir meatballs again to fully coat in sauce. Then move the meatballs to the outer sides to make room for the ramen.  
• 🥘 Add ramen cakes into slow cooker and try to submerge them in the sauce as much as possible.  
• 🥘 Cover and cook until ramen noodles are soft.  Once they have cooked through, gently pull apart the ramen and mix with the meatballs and sauce
• 🥘 Serve promptly and enjoy!

🍽Serving suggestions

• This dish is delicious topped with sesame seeds and sliced green onion
• Serve with a side of steamed broccoli, maple vanilla carrots, or garlic mushrooms for a complete meal. 
• Add sliced broccoli florets, bell peppers, snow peas, or bok choy along with the ramen to keep with the one-pot theme.
• If you are a fan of heat, top with red pepper flakes or sriracha to spice things up.
• Mongolian beef meatballs can be made without the ramen for a delicious game-day appetizer. Serve right out of the crockpot on long cocktail pick to let diners enjoy the sweet and savory sauce.

🔁Substitutions

1. I prefer to use fresh ginger and fresh garlic when I make this recipe.  However, garlic and ginger powder can both be used as substitutes in a pinch.  
2. Chicken broth can be used in place of beef in this easy meatball recipe.
3. This recipe works well with fresh or frozen meatballs.
4. I love this recipe with chicken meatballs, but beef, turkey, and even vegetarian meatballs would work perfectly well. 
5. To make this recipe for game day, use smaller meatballs for perfect appetizer-sized bites.  

Storing

• Store your slow cooker meatballs and ramen noodles recipe in an airtight container or zip top bag.  It will last for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.  Reheat and handle leftovers gently as the noodles may start to break apart.  
• Your slow cooker ramen noodles can also be frozen.  They will last up to 4 months when frozen.  For best results, defrost fully in the refrigerator prior to gently heating in the microwave. 

😉Hints & hacks

1. Freezing leftovers of this slow cooking ramen in meal-sized portions  for easy reheat-and-eat weeknight meals.
2. I always recommend the use of a slow cooker liner. Of course, this is an optional step. I like to purchase my liners in bulk for a less expensive per-piece price.
3. In the market for a new slow cooker? I love mine!
4. The most important step is to always make sure your slow cooker is plugged in and turned on!! 😉