IN THE KITCHEN

Easy Paleo Meatballs in the Crockpot

Name: Easy Paleo Meatballs in the Crockpot
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 5 h
Total time: 6 h
Yield: 6
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1.5 lbs ground beef; 1/4 cup freshly chopped parsley (for garnish); 1 large egg; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 1 tsp. kosher salt; 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes; 1 (28-oz.) can crushed tomatoes; 1 (6-oz.) can tomato paste; 1/4 yellow onion, finely chopped; 1 garlic clove, minced; Salt and pepper to taste

By Matt | September 27, 2020

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I don’t like to brag, but I’m really good with meat.

At least that’s what I’ve been told.

Before I had kids, my specialty was the grill. Post kids? I learned to embrace the crockpot.

Don’t get me wrong, I still grill every chance I get, but there’s nothing quite like turning on the crockpot on a Sunday morning and having perfect paleo meatballs to enjoy come game time (while I’m doing laundry of course).

How to Make Paleo Meatballs in the Crockpot

I don’t follow the paleo diet, but my wife tells me my recipe is “paleo” and people apparently like paleo, so that’s what we’re calling them.

Alternate title was “Matt’s Meatballs,” which I personally think has a nice ring to it.

Anyway, here’s what you need to know.

First, you’re going to mix together your ground beef, an egg and some seasoning. I like to get in there with my hands. Turns out my kids also like to mix up raw meat with their hands. (It must run in the family.)

Once it’s all mixed together, turn them into meatballs. I can usually get 2 dozen out of this recipe, but obviously that depends on the size of your balls.

I’m going to keep typing and completely ignore all of the 12-year-old boy jokes that I could be making right now. (Just know that my 12-year-old son has already made them.)

Put your meatballs into your crockpot (I always spray my crockpot with Pam cooking spray first), and then add your sauce on top. I make my own (recipe below), but you can just dump a jar of your favorite tomato sauce (or BBQ sauce) on top.

Cover and cook on low for 5 1/2 hours. When you return, you will have delicious “paleo” meatballs ready to go.

My wife likes to serve them over pasta. I eat mine with a side salad. My kids eat theirs like snacks – straight out of the fridge with a toothpick. You can eat yours however you want.

Here’s the recipe. Let me know if you make them and what you think.