A bag of frozen meatballs is one of the easiest dinner shortcuts you can keep in the freezer. Put them in the slow cooker with a sauce, and a few hours later you have a hot meal or party appetizer. This guide covers how long to cook them, which sauces work, and how to avoid common problems.
Can you cook frozen meatballs in a slow cooker without thawing?
Most people do. Fully cooked frozen meatballs, the kind sold in bags in the freezer aisle, are commonly added to the slow cooker straight from the freezer with sauce. The sauce heats them and keeps them moist. Check the package directions, since brands differ, and make sure the meatballs are steaming hot throughout before serving. Packaged precooked meatballs should reach 165°F (74°C) inside.
If you have raw frozen meatballs (for example, homemade ones you froze before cooking), thaw them in the refrigerator first for more predictable results. Our guide to slow cooker meatballs from scratch covers that route.
How long does it take to warm up frozen meatballs in a crockpot?
Typical ranges for precooked frozen meatballs in sauce are:
| Setting | Approximate time |
|---|---|
| High | 2 to 3 hours |
| Low | 4 to 6 hours |
Larger meatballs, bigger batches and cold, thick sauces can take longer. A smaller, lightly filled slow cooker heats faster. Because slow cookers vary, test with a thermometer rather than relying on the clock alone.
Basic method
- Lightly spray or line the slow cooker for easier cleanup.
- Pour in about half of your sauce.
- Add the frozen meatballs (about 2 pounds fits most 5- to 6-quart cookers comfortably).
- Pour the remaining sauce on top and stir gently to coat.
- Cover and cook on High or Low for the times above.
- Stir once or twice if you can, then check that the meatballs are hot through.
- Switch to warm for serving.
Easy sauce ideas
Here are a few combinations that work with a 2-pound bag of frozen meatballs.
- Marinara. One jar (24 to 26 ounces) of pasta sauce, plus a splash of water, for Italian-style meatballs to serve over pasta or in subs.
- BBQ. About 2 cups of your favorite barbecue sauce, optionally with a spoonful of brown sugar or a dash of hot sauce.
- Grape jelly and chili sauce. A sweet and tangy party classic. Our grape jelly meatballs article has amounts and variations.
- Creamy gravy. Beef broth and a can of condensed cream of mushroom soup, finished with sour cream near the end, for a Swedish-style dinner. See slow cooker Swedish meatballs.
- Honey garlic or teriyaki. Bottled sauces keep it simple, though they can be sweet, so taste before adding extras.
What’s the best way to cook frozen meatballs?
The best method depends on what you need. The slow cooker is ideal when you want a hands-off dinner or need to keep meatballs warm for a gathering. If you are in a hurry, the oven, skillet or air fryer is faster. The slow cooker makes sense when you will be away for a few hours or serving a crowd and want the sauce to get cozy with the meatballs.
Tips for the best results
- Do not overcook. Past the point where they are hot, long cooking can make meatballs soft and mushy. Once they are heated through, use the warm setting.
- Choose the right sauce amount. The meatballs should be mostly coated. Too little sauce can scorch; too much can leave them swimming.
- Add dairy late. Sour cream or cream cheese is best stirred in at the end.
- Do not overfill. Keep the slow cooker no more than about two thirds to three quarters full.
- Pick meatballs you like. Beef, turkey, Italian-seasoned and plant-based options all work, though cook times can differ.
Serving ideas
- Over spaghetti, rice or egg noodles
- On toasted rolls with melted cheese for meatball subs
- With toothpicks as an appetizer
- Over mashed potatoes with a green vegetable
Storage and leftovers
Refrigerate leftover meatballs and sauce within two hours, in a covered container, for three to four days. Cooked meatballs in sauce can be frozen in portions for a couple of months. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave until steaming hot. Because slow cookers heat slowly, it is better not to use one to reheat cold leftovers from the refrigerator.
Related reading
If you are planning a week of ground beef dinners, see our overview of slow cooker ground beef recipes for more ideas.