Lazy Slow Cooker Cheesy Meatball Casserole

A square bowl filled with meatballs and melted cheese with basil

4.80 from 5 votes

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!

Prep Time10

Cook Time5

Course: Brunch, dinner, lunch, Main Course

Cuisine: American, Italian

Keyword: easy meatball bake, keto cheesy meatballs, slow cooker cheesy meatball casserole

Servings: servings

Calories: 685kcal

Author: The Lazy slow cooker

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