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Slow Cooker Italian Meatballs with Quinoa

meatballs in white bowlI don’t really eat a lot of pasta these days but last week I had a sudden and incurable craving for spaghetti and meatballs. I also had ginormous container of leftover quinoa and decided that I should just find a way for the two to go together. And let me just say, it totally works!! Forget bread crumbs, oatmeal or cracker crumbs. Toss a little quinoa in with your meatballs and get the bonus of that healthy little seed with all that extra protein. And the meatballs were delicious! Totally hit the spot!

Italian meatballs in square white bowlI found some seasoning at Wal-Mart the other day and I knew it would be perfect. It’s made by McCormick and it’s call Tuscan Seasoning. That stuff was awesome with all the right flavors… these meatballs didn’t need much else! You could use any Italian seasoning you have, but I think this will be my new go-to.

Top view of Italian meatballs in square white bowl

I put these in the slow cooker in the morning and had a bunch of errands to run throughout the day. Including a trip to Target with both kids who happened to be in rare form and just about made me looney. Thankfully when we got home all I had to do was boil a pot of noodles and heat a jar of sauce.

Italian meatballs in square white bowl

Then I was in pasta heaven! All shenanigans pulled by the children (mostly) forgotten! I found some quinoa pasta while we were shopping so I felt like I was pretty much guilt free too!

Italian meatballs in square white bowl

Enjoy these meatballs with your favorite pasta and sauce or plain or any way you can think of!

Italian meatballs in square white bowl

Slow Cooker Italian Meatballs with Quinoa

Slow Cooker Italian Meatballs with Quinoa

Jennifer Draper
Italian meatballs with ground beef, quinoa and zucchini.
No ratings yet
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 15 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, Italian
Servings 4 people
Calories 228 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound lean ground beef I used 94% lean
  • 1/2 cup cooked quinoa
  • 1/4 cup grated zucchini
  • 1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese
  • 1 egg slightly beaten
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning like McCormick Tuscan Blend
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions
 

  • Add all ingredients to mixing bowl and mix by hand until combined
  • Form into meatballs and place in single layer in crock (I made mine slightly larger than golf balls and it made 9)
  • Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8 until meatballs are cooked through

Nutrition

Calories: 228kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 29gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 116mgSodium: 479mgPotassium: 467mgVitamin A: 130IUVitamin C: 1.4mgCalcium: 98mgIron: 3.5mg
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Important nutritional disclaimer

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