Crockpot Marry Me Meatballs

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic, egg, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix just until combined.
2. Roll the mixture into 1½-inch meatballs.
3. If desired, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and brown the meatballs for 2 to 3 minutes per side.
4. Transfer the meatballs to the crockpot.
5. In a separate bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, chicken broth, sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
6. Pour the sauce evenly over the meatballs.
7. Cover and cook on LOW for 4 hours or on HIGH for 2 to 2½ hours.
8. Gently stir before serving and garnish with fresh herbs.

Variations

• Use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
• Add sautéed mushrooms or spinach to the sauce for extra depth.
• Substitute half-and-half for heavy cream if you prefer a lighter sauce.
• Stir in cooked pasta directly into the crockpot for a one-pot meal.

Tips

• Do not overmix the meatball mixture to keep the texture tender.
• Browning the meatballs adds extra flavor but can be skipped if short on time.
• Use oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes for the best texture and taste.
• Leftovers reheat beautifully and taste even better the next day.