The Super-Simple Crock-Pot Meatball Recipe We Can’t Wait to Try

My kids love meatballs, and we always keep a stash of their favorite freezer meatballs on hand for quick-and-easy meals. I have my go-to recipe, but sometimes I like to mix things up. So, when I stumbled across a delicious-looking meatball recipe on TikTok, I knew I had to try it.

The recipe looks simple—it's made in a Crock-Pot! It also sounds really delicious and if it’s as good as it looks, it might just replace our usual go-to! This recipe was shared by content creator and cookbook author Matthew Bounds (@yourbarefootneighbor) and I can't wait to give it a try.

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What We Love About Marry Me Meatballs

When Matthew started walking through the recipe in his TikTok video, I was on board almost immediately. Frozen meatballs and gnocchi in a creamy sauce that's similar to the sauce used for Marry Me Chicken? I'm in!

You can head over to Matthew's TikTok page for the full recipe, but you'll need a bag of frozen meatballs (any kind will do, but he uses Italian style), chicken stock, cream of chicken soup, sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, minced onion, crushed red pepper and garlic powder.

Mix all of these ingredients into the crockpot and cook it on high for about three hours. After those three hours, add in gnocchi, heavy whipping cream and baby spinach. Cover the crockpot and let it cook for another 20 minutes, or until the spinach wilts.

Before you serve it, grate some Parmesan cheese on top and serve the meatballs and gnocchi with a side of garlic toast for a full meal that basically makes itself while you're at work.

Related: My Chef-Husband Made Me His Marry Me Potatoes and I Would Definitely Say 'I Do' All Over Again

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Fun Ways to Mix Up This Recipe

This crockpot meatball and gnocchi recipe is already rich, creamy and comforting, but there are plenty of ways to switch it up to fit different tastes!

For example, you can swap the frozen meatballs for homemade ones or use turkey or chicken meatballs for a lighter option. Try some Italian sausage (sliced or crumbled) for extra flavor. I think combining the sausage with the meatballs would be amazing for meat lovers!

Not into meat? For a vegetarian version of this meal, use plant-based meatballs or skip them entirely and add white beans and/or mushrooms.

Add some extra flavoring with a splash of white wine along with the broth for extra depth. You can also stir in a spoonful of pesto before serving for a fresh, herby kick that goes great with the garlic toast. If you're not a fan of sun-dried tomatoes, a can of drained fire-roasted tomatoes would add a smoky hit to this recipe.

If you want to vary the flavor just a bit, you can skip the cream of chicken soup and use cream of mushroom or cream of celery instead, two options that would be great for a vegetarian-friendly version. Of course, you can also add more heat with some hot sauce!

This is a great meal as it is, but if you want to add a wider variety of veggies, you can bulk it up with sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers or peas. I think it would also be great with some sauteed carrots on the side or some roasted green beans.

This is a simple meal to make, it's easy to riff on based on what you're craving (or what's in your kitchen) and it would also freeze well for meal prepping. I can't wait to give it a try!

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