Slow Cooker Meatballs & Zoodles

Slow cooker meatballs & zoodles is a healthy one-pot recipe that’s easy to make and won’t break your diet. Homemade meatballs cook with zucchini noodles in this low-carb, paleo, and Whole30 compatible Crock-Pot recipe. Instructions to make this meatball recipe in the Instant Pot are also included. 

Ingredients Meatballs & Zoodles

• Ground Beef & Sausage
• Zucchini
• Egg
• Almond Flour
• Seasonings
• Crushed or Diced Tomatoes or Marinara Sauce

How To Make Meatballs & Zoodles In The Crock-Pot

Prepare The Meatballs

1. In a medium-size bowl, mix together all the meatballs ingredients until well blended. Shape into evenly round meatballs, approximately 3 tablespoons of meat each.

Slow Cooker

1. Add the prepared meatballs to the slow cooker.
2. In a small bowl, mix together the sauce ingredients. Pour the sauce on top of the meatballs. 
3. Cook HIGH 3-4 hours or LOW 6-8.
4. Add the zucchini noodles (zoodles) on top of the meatballs. Cook an additional 10-15 minutes or until the zoodles are done to your liking.

Instant Pot

1. Instant Pot to the high saute setting. Once hot, add oil.
2. Add the prepared meatballs and brown on each side, 3-5 minutes. You might have to brown them in batches. Add more oil if needed. Turn off the pressure cooker. Pour in 1/2 cup beef broth or water. 
3. In a small bowl, mix together the sauce ingredients. Pour the sauce on top of the meatballs. Do not stir. 
4. Close and seal vent. Select manual setting and set time for 7 minutes. When cooking time is complete, quick-release the pressure. Turn off the pressure cooker. Add zoodles and place lid back on. No need to lock & seal the lid. Let zoodles in the hot appliance until tender, approximately 5-10 minutes.

Healthy Homemade Meatball Recipe

The meatball recipe I use is low-carb, paleo, and whole30. It’s my standard meatball recipe that I pretty much use almost every single time I make meatballs. For the ground meat I used beef but you can use your preferred ground meat whether it be beef, turkey, chicken, or even pork. To make my meatball recipe compliant I use almond flour instead of breadcrumbs. Yes you can use coconut flour rather than almond flour. For the herbs I used an Italian seasoning blend. If you don’t have that, you can use all of one herb whether is be parsley, basil, thyme, etc. Absolutely you can swap out my meatball recipe for your preferred meatball recipe. If you’re looking for an Italian seasoning blend,  use my homemade at the end of this blog post.

What Are Zoodles?

Zoodles are zucchini noodles. They’re a great healthy alternative to pasta because they’re low-carb, paleo, and whole30. The zoodles are added the last few minutes of cook time. You can move the meatballs to one side of the pot and place the zoodles in the sauce OR you can just lay them on top. I usually just throw them on top. They’ll cook the same regardless of how you add them. I use The Inspiralizer to make my zoodles. If you don’t have a specific zoodle maker like The Inspiralizer, you can use a simple julienne peeler to make your zoodles.

Homemade Sauce

The homemade sauce included in the recipe box is is simple – crushed tomatoes, dried herbs, garlic, salt & pepper. This is an area where you have a lot of leeway. Feel free to substitute a store-bought jarred marinara or pasta sauce. Or add more ingredients to this sauce like more garlic, more herbs, or veggies like diced bell pepper, onion or mushrooms. 

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can also freeze leftover meatballs.  Allow the cooked meatballs to cool then arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Freeze the meatballs until solid then the meatballs to your preferred freezing container like freezer bags. The frozen meatballs will keep for up to 3 months. 

FAQs & Tips

• Make the meatballs as large or as small as you like but try to form them into the same size. This made approximately 15 meatballs for me.
• Substitute breadcrumbs for the almond flour if you are not concerned about this meatball recipe being compatible for a particular diet. 
• I use a  6-quart slow cooker or Instant Pot for this recipe.

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