Best 10 Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs In Tomato Sauce Recipes

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Are you craving a comforting and flavorful dish that combines the goodness of turkey meatballs and a rich, savory tomato sauce? Slow-cooker turkey meatballs in tomato sauce make a perfect meal for busy weeknights or special occasions. Indulge in the delightful aroma of tender turkey meatballs simmering in a delectable tomato sauce, infused with herbs and spices. With minimal effort, your slow cooker will transform simple ingredients into a satisfying and heartwarming dish that will please everyone at the table. This article will guide you through the steps and provide tips to create the most succulent slow-cooker turkey meatballs in tomato sauce that will become a go-to recipe for years to come.

Here are our top 10 tried and tested recipes!

SLOW COOKER MEATBALLS IN TOMATO SAUCE



Slow Cooker Meatballs in Tomato Sauce image

This easy slow cooker meatball recipe uses a blend of beef and Italian turkey sausage for a lightened-up version that still makes a flavorful, juicy meatball. Perfect for a weeknight dinner served over pasta or with toothpicks at tailgating party!

Provided by Summer Miller

Categories     Appetizer     Dinner     Slow Cooker

Time 8h30m

Yield 40

Number Of Ingredients 22

For the sauce:
1 28-oz can crushed tomatoes
1 15-oz can crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce
3/4 medium onion, finely diced
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
For the meatballs:
3/4 cup bread crumbs
1/2 cup milk
4 cloves minced garlic
1/4 medium onion, finely diced
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves
1 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 cup shredded Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese
1 large egg
1 pound 90/10 ground beef
1 pound ground Italian turkey sausage

Steps:

  • Cover and cook: Secure the lid to your slow cooker and let it cook for as little as 5 hours on high or as many as 8 to 10 hours on low.
  • Serve: Serve these over spaghetti, on a hoagie bun for a meatball sandwich, or as a party appetizer on their own. If you want to thicken the sauce, you can transfer it to a skillet set over medium-high heat and reduce it until it reaches your desired consistency. If the sauce has some fat floating on the top, just stir it in.

SLOW COOKER TURKEY MEATBALLS IN TOMATO SAUCE



Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs in Tomato Sauce image

These slow cooker turkey meatballs in tomato sauce are a great alternative to traditional beef meatballs. Can be served over pasta or make meatball sandwiches with sauteed onions and peppers with melted Italian cheese over the top. Fantastic!

Provided by Cheryl

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Italian

Time 4h25m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 10

¼ cup minced onion
1 tablespoon Italian-style salad dressing
1 ½ pounds ground turkey
1 ¼ cups Italian-seasoned bread crumbs
5 cloves garlic, crushed
2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
salt and ground black pepper to taste
2 (14.5 ounce) cans Italian-style diced tomatoes
1 (26 ounce) jar marinara sauce
2 teaspoons dried basil

Steps:

  • Saute onion and Italian dressing in a small saute pan over medium heat for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly, about 5 minutes.
  • Combine turkey, bread crumbs, garlic, sauteed onions, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in a bowl; mix well.
  • Combine diced tomatoes and marinara in a second bowl; set aside.
  • Form 1/2 of the turkey mixture into 1 1/2-inch meatballs and layer them in the bottom of a slow cooker. Pour 1/2 of the tomato mixture over the meatballs. Form the remaining turkey mixture into meatballs and layer with remaining tomato mixture.
  • Cover and cook until no longer pink in the centers, about 4 hours on High, or 8 hours on Low.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 415.2 calories, Carbohydrate 41.1 g, Cholesterol 86.5 mg, Fat 14.1 g, Fiber 6.4 g, Protein 29.8 g, SaturatedFat 3.5 g, Sodium 1281.2 mg, Sugar 16.1 g

TURKEY MEATBALLS IN TOMATO SAUCE



Turkey Meatballs in Tomato Sauce image

Provided by Nigella Lawson : Food Network

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 onion, peeled
1 celery stalk
2 tablespoons garlic flavoured oil
1 teaspoon dried thyme
2 x 14 ounce cans diced plus approx. 3 1/3 cups (2 full cans) water
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon kosher salt flakes or 1/2 teaspoon table salt
Pepper, to taste
1 pound ground turkey
1 egg
3 tablespoons breadcrumbs
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan
2 tablespoons of finely chopped onion and celery (from the tomato sauce ingredients above)
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (such as Lea and Perrins)
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

Steps:

  • Put the peeled onion and celery into a processor and blitz to a mush. Or you can chop as finely as humanly possible by hand. Reserve 2 tablespoons for the meatball mixture.
  • Warm the garlic flavoured oil in a heavy saucepan or Dutch oven, add the onion and celery mixture, along with the thyme, and cook at moderate to low heat, stirring every now and again, for about 10 minutes.
  • Add the cans of tomato, filling up each empty can with water to add to the pan. Season with the sugar, salt and pepper, stir and then leave to come to a bubble, and then turn down to let it simmer gently while you get on with the meatballs.
  • Put all the ingredients for the meatballs, including the reserved chopped onion and celery, and salt according to preference, into a large bowl and mix together, gently, with your hands, wearing disposable vinyl gloves if you feel so inclined. Don't over-mix, as that will make the meatballs dense-textured and heavy.
  • When all the meatball ingredients are not too officiously amalgamated, start rolling. The easiest way really to do this is to pinch out an amount about the size of a generously heaped teaspoon and roll into a bowl between the palms of your hands. Put the meatballs on a baking tray, lined with baking parchment or greaseproof paper, as you go. You should get about 50 little meatballs.
  • Drop these gently into the simmering sauce; I try and let these fall in concentric circles working around the pan from the outside edge inwards, in only the vaguest of fashions.
  • Let the meatballs cook for 30 minutes, until cooked through. Serve with rice or pasta or however you so please.

TURKEY MEATBALLS IN TOMATO SAUCE



Turkey Meatballs in Tomato Sauce image

Tender meatballs filled with onions and Parmesan, bathed in plenty of tomato sauce, are classics in every way except for one: They call for turkey instead of the usual beef (or beef-veal-pork combination). Serve them over spaghetti or polenta, or stuff them into a hero roll for a sandwich. Try to use ground dark meat turkey here if you can, it has a deeper, richer flavor than ground white meat.

Provided by Melissa Clark

Categories     dinner, lunch, meatballs, main course

Time 50m

Yield 28 meatballs, 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, more for serving, if desired
1/2 cup panko or other plain dried bread crumbs
1/4 cup minced onion
1/4 cup chopped chives or basil
2 garlic cloves, grated on a microplane or minced
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
Pinch red pepper flakes (optional)
1 1/2 pounds ground turkey, very cold
1 large egg, beaten
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, more as needed
3 cups marinara sauce, more to taste

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, combine cheese, bread crumbs, onion, chives, garlic, salt, pepper, oregano and red pepper flakes, if using, and mix well. Add turkey and egg and blend with your hands until well mixed. If you've got time, cover mixture and chill for an hour or up to 24 hours. These are easiest to form into balls while very cold. Form into 28 meatballs, each about 1 1/4-inches in diameter.
  • Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large sauté pan. When hot, add enough of the meatballs to fit in one layer without crowding, and brown on all sides, 5 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a plate, add another tablespoon of oil to pan and brown another layer of meatballs, transferring them to the plate as they brown. Repeat until all meatballs are browned, adding more oil to the pan as needed.
  • When meatballs are all browned, add marinara sauce to pan and bring to a simmer, scraping up the browned bits on the pan bottom. Return meatballs and their juices to pan, shake pan to cover the meatballs with sauce, and lower heat. Partly cover pan and simmer until the meatballs are cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Serve hot, drizzled with more olive oil and sprinkled with more cheese, if you like.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 382, UnsaturatedFat 14 grams, Carbohydrate 18 grams, Fat 21 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 30 grams, SaturatedFat 5 grams, Sodium 827 milligrams, Sugar 8 grams, TransFat 0 grams

TURKEY MEATBALLS IN PAPRIKA TOMATO SAUCE



Turkey Meatballs in Paprika Tomato Sauce image

A slow cooker recipe from the latest Rachael Ray Magazine. A nice fix it and forget it recipe for a busy weekday. Meatballs come out really tender. Serve over pasta.

Provided by Zetty66

Categories     Easy

Time 6h30m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 onions, finely chopped
2 celery ribs, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can diced fire-roasted tomatoes
1 (12 ounce) jar roasted red peppers, drained
2 tablespoons paprika
salt and pepper
1/2 cup unseasoned breadcrumbs
1 egg, beaten
1 1/2 lbs lean ground turkey

Steps:

  • In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions, celery and garlic and cook, stirring often, until softened, 7 minutes. Transfer 1 1/3 cups of the onion mixture to a large bowl; let cool. Reserve the skillet.
  • Using a food processor, puree the tomatoes and red peppers. Add the puree to the skillet and bring to a boil over medium heat. Stir in the paprika and season with salt and pepper; transfer to a large slow cooker, cover and set to low temperature.
  • Whisk the bread crumbs, egg, 1/2 teaspooon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper into the remaining onion mixture. Mix in the turkey. Form 1 1/2 inch meatballs. Add the meatballs to the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low heat for 6 hours.

TURKEY MEATBALLS AND SAUCE



Turkey Meatballs and Sauce image

My sweetie and I have fought the battle of the bulge forever. This is my less-fattening take on meatballs. They're slow-cooker easy, and so flavorful! - Jane McMillan, Dania Beach, Florida

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 6h40m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 21

1/4 cup egg substitute
1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs
1/3 cup chopped onion
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt-free seasoning blend
1-1/2 pounds lean ground turkey
SAUCE:
1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 small zucchini, chopped
1 medium green pepper, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
2 bay leaves
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 package (16 ounces) whole wheat spaghetti

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, combine the egg substitute, bread crumbs, onion, pepper and seasoning blend. Crumble turkey over mixture and mix well. Shape into 1-in. balls; place on a rack coated with cooking spray in a shallow baking pan. Bake at 400° for 15 minutes or until no longer pink., Meanwhile, in a 4- or 5-qt. slow cooker, combine the tomato sauce, tomatoes, zucchini, green pepper, onion, tomato paste, bay leaves, garlic and seasonings. Stir in meatballs. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours. Cook spaghetti according to package directions; serve with meatballs and sauce.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 413 calories, Fat 9g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 59mg cholesterol, Sodium 514mg sodium, Carbohydrate 59g carbohydrate (8g sugars, Fiber 9g fiber), Protein 30g protein.

SLOW COOKER TURKEY MEATBALLS IN TOMATO SAUCE



Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs in Tomato Sauce image

These slow cooker turkey meatballs in tomato sauce are a great alternative to traditional beef meatballs. They can be served over pasta or used in meatball sandwiches with sauteed onions and peppers with melted Italian cheese over the top. Fantastic!

Provided by Cheryl

Categories     Italian Recipes

Time 4h25m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 10

¼ cup minced onion
1 tablespoon Italian-style salad dressing
1 ½ pounds ground turkey
1 ¼ cups Italian-seasoned bread crumbs
5 cloves garlic, crushed
2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
salt and ground black pepper to taste
2 (14.5 ounce) cans Italian-style diced tomatoes
1 (26 ounce) jar marinara sauce
2 teaspoons dried basil

Steps:

  • Cook onion and Italian dressing in a small sauté pan over medium heat for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly, about 5 minutes.
  • Combine turkey, bread crumbs, garlic, sautéed onions, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in a bowl; mix well.
  • Combine diced tomatoes, marinara sauce, and dried basil in a second bowl; set aside.
  • Form 1/2 of the turkey mixture into 1 1/2-inch meatballs and layer them in the bottom of a slow cooker. Pour 1/2 of the diced tomato mixture over meatballs. Form remaining turkey mixture into meatballs and layer with remaining tomato mixture.
  • Cover and cook on Low for 8 hours or High for 4 hours.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 415.2 calories, Carbohydrate 41.1 g, Cholesterol 86.5 mg, Fat 14.1 g, Fiber 6.4 g, Protein 29.8 g, SaturatedFat 3.5 g, Sodium 1281.2 mg, Sugar 16.1 g

SLOW-COOKER KOFTE IN TOMATO-LIME BROTH



Slow-Cooker Kofte in Tomato-Lime Broth image

While you're at the beach, at work or doing anything at all, these bright, light, brothy meatballs can be stewing in the slow cooker. They are made in the style of kofte (from the Persian word meaning "grind"), in which ground meat is combined with lots of herbs and ground spices. Yogurt adds moisture and tang, but you don't need another binder or to brown the meat first. As the meatballs slowly cook, their juices mingle with the tomatoes to create a rich but tart broth. Eat with grains (bulgur wheat, farro, rice), couscous, noodles or pita. For a stovetop version, see the Tip.

Provided by Ali Slagle

Categories     dinner, meatballs, main course

Time 4h10m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 lime
4 garlic cloves, smashed and peeled
1 cup chopped dill, mint, parsley or a combination, plus more for serving
1/2 cup full-fat Greek yogurt (about 4 ounces)
1 1/2 teaspoons ground turmeric or another warm spice, like baharat, paprika, cumin, coriander, allspice or a mix
Kosher salt (Diamond Crystal) and black pepper
2 pounds ground lamb, beef, turkey or a combination
3 pints cherry or Sungold tomatoes (about 30 ounces)
Granulated sugar, to taste

Steps:

  • Use a vegetable peeler to peel the rind off the lime in wide strips. Add the rind to a 6- to 8-quart slow cooker, along with the garlic and ¼ cup water. (Reserve the lime.)
  • In a large bowl, stir together the herbs, yogurt, turmeric, 2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon black pepper. Add the meat and use your hands to combine. Form the meat into 8 balls (roughly 4½ ounces each) and add to the slow cooker in a single layer. If they don't fit in one layer, add a few tomatoes to buffer the meatballs from one another, then add another layer of meatballs. Add the cherry tomatoes, season with salt and pepper, then cover and cook on low until the meatballs are cooked through, 3 to 4 hours.
  • Transfer the meatballs to plates, then remove and discard the garlic and lime peel. Burst most of the tomatoes by smashing them on the side of the slow cooker with a spoon. Squeeze the reserved lime into the slow cooker, then season to taste with salt, pepper and sugar. (The sugar helps compensate for too-tart tomatoes.) Spoon the tomatoes and broth on top of the meatballs, along with more fresh herbs.

TURKEY MEATBALLS IN TOMATO SAUCE (CROCKPOT) RECIPE - (5/5)



Turkey meatballs in tomato sauce (crockpot) Recipe - (5/5) image

Provided by á-25952

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 (8 oz) cans tomato sauce
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon ground thyme
1/2 cup water
1 1/4 pounds lean ground turkey
1/2 cup long-grain rice
2 tablespoons minced onion
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Combine tomato sauce, garlic powder, thyme, and water in slow cooker. In medium bowl, combine turkey, rice, onion, salt, and pepper, mixing well. Shape into balls about the size of golf balls. Place meatballs in tomato mixture in slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW 7-8 hours or until rice is tender.

TURKEY MEATBALLS IN TOMATO SAUCE - NIGELLA LAWSON



Turkey Meatballs in Tomato Sauce - Nigella Lawson image

A great dish for a crowd or a buffet - make 'em tiny and pile 'em into a crock pot to stay hot. Adapted from a recipe from Nigella Kitchen on Food Network. Serves 4 as a main course, or 8-12 as an appetizer.

Provided by DrGaellon

Categories     Meatballs

Time 55m

Yield 50 meatballs, 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 16

1 onion, peeled
1 celery rib
2 tablespoons garlic oil
1 teaspoon dried thyme
2 (14 ounce) cans diced tomatoes
3 1/3 cups water (use the tomato cans, you need 2 full cans)
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon kosher salt, flakes or 1/2 teaspoon table salt
fresh ground black pepper, to taste
1 lb ground turkey
1 egg
3 tablespoons breadcrumbs
3 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
salt, to taste

Steps:

  • Puree onion and celery to mush in food processor. Remove 2 tbsp of puree and set aside in a small bowl for the meatballs.
  • Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. (If you don't have garlic oil, saute 1 thinly sliced garlic clove in 2 tbsp oil until golden brown and very fragrant, about 3 minutes; remove and discard garlic before proceeding.) Reduce to medium-low, add vegetable puree and thyme, and cook, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes.
  • Add tomatoes, water, sugar, salt and pepper. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce to a simmer and let cook while prepping the meatballs.
  • Add all meatball ingredients to reserved vegetable puree. Mix gently to combine; avoid over-mixing to prevent the meatballs from being leaden and heavy.
  • Form mixture into approximately 50 meatballs (each should be about one heaping teaspoon). Once all the meatballs are formed, add them to the simmering sauce. Continue to simmer 30 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 158.3, Fat 6.3, SaturatedFat 1.9, Cholesterol 72.9, Sodium 576.5, Carbohydrate 12.6, Fiber 2, Sugar 5.4, Protein 13.1

Tips:

  • Choose the right ground turkey. Look for ground turkey that is at least 93% lean. This will help to ensure that your meatballs are nice and juicy.
  • Season the ground turkey well. Use a variety of herbs and spices to flavor the ground turkey, such as garlic, onion, thyme, rosemary, and oregano.
  • Don't overmix the ground turkey. Overmixing can make the meatballs tough, so mix the ingredients just until they are combined.
  • Shape the meatballs into uniform sizes. This will help them to cook evenly.
  • Brown the meatballs before adding them to the sauce. This will help to seal in the juices and give them a nice color.
  • Use a good quality tomato sauce. The sauce is what will make or break your meatballs, so choose one that you really enjoy.
  • Let the meatballs simmer in the sauce for at least 30 minutes. This will help to develop the flavors and tenderize the meatballs.
  • Serve the meatballs over your favorite pasta, rice, or vegetables.

Conclusion:

Slow cooker turkey meatballs in tomato sauce are a delicious and easy meal that is perfect for a busy weeknight. The meatballs are juicy and flavorful, and the sauce is rich and savory. This dish is sure to be a hit with your family and friends. Serve it over your favorite pasta, rice, or vegetables for a complete meal. Enjoy!

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