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Slow Cooker Beef Meatballs with Broccoli Rabe

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Oh my word, these slow cooker  meatballs are SO good!! I love the broccoli rabe classics – orecchiette with broccoli rabe and sausage, broccoli rabe pizza or simple sauteed with garlic and oil — but I also really love thinking out of the box to find new ways to eat it.

Slow Cooker Broccoli Rabe MeatballsSlow Cooker Beef Meatballs with Broccoli Rabe

The slightly bold, earthy flavor of broccoli rabe pairs perfectly with salty cheeses, so I knew they would be awesome in my Sunday meatballs, and I was right! More meatball recipes I love are Moroccan Kefta Meatballs, Salisbury Steak Meatballs and Chicken Marsala Meatballs.

Slow Cooker Broccoli Rabe Meatballs-6

Turkey meatballs are great, but once in a while I really crave a good beef meatball. To keep them light, I used leaner beef and add lots of veggies (the kids won’t know) to the meat. The key to perfect meatballs, in my opinion, is not just having the perfect ratio of cheese, meat and bread, but also gently forming the meatballs so they are not packed too tight. Rather than frying them like my in-laws do, I broil them until they get browned then let them finish cooking in the sauce in my slow cooker. The results are tender, delicious meatballs worthy of a Sunday meal.

And since so many are asking, although I have and love my Instant Pot, I still love my slow cooker! I have the 6 Quart Hamilton Beach Set ‘n Forget Programmable Slow Cooker (affil link). I love it because you can adjust the time you want it to cook, and it automatically turns to warm when it’s done. It also has a probe for meat that automatically shuts off when done. I hated my old crock pot, it burnt everything and my food had a weird taste. This slow cooker is so great, I actually own several!

You can serve them over pasta or with Italian bread, but I love them over veggies to balance the meal and keep things light. Sure, spiralized zucchini or spaghetti squash would work, but why not serve them over more broccoli rabe – YUM! To finish it I like to add a dollop of ricotta and some grated Pecorino Romano cheese. Hope you enjoy!

Slow Cooker Broccoli Rabe Meatballs-4

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Slow Cooker Beef Meatballs with Broccoli Rabe

4.80 from 5 votes
6
Cals:295
Protein:27
Carbs:18
Fat:11
Oh my word, these slow cooker meatballs are SO good!! The slightly bold, earthy flavor of broccoli rabe pairs perfectly with salty cheeses, so I knew they would be awesome in my Sunday meatballs, and I was right!
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American, Italian
Oh my word, these slow cooker meatballs are SO good!! The slightly bold, earthy flavor of broccoli rabe pairs perfectly with salty cheeses, so I knew they would be awesome in my Sunday meatballs, and I was right!
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 3 hours
Total: 3 hours 5 minutes
Yield: 5 Servings
Serving Size: 3 meatballs plus sauce

Ingredients

For the meatballs:

For the Sauce:

Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil, then add the broccoli rabe. Blanch for about 1-1/2 to 2 minutes, drain well and set aside in a colander to cool. Finely chop 3/4 cup of the florets and leaves (3-3/4 ounces) and set the rest aside for another use (I sauteed it with garlic and oil).
  • Meanwhile, in a medium bowl combine the bread with milk, tossing to coat. Let stand, tossing occasionally, until bread is completely moist, about 10 minutes. Squeeze bread between your fingers or mash with a spoon to make sure there are no dry spots; if there are dry spots that refuse to moisten, add more milk 1 tablespoon at a time until bread is moist throughout.
  • Add the ground beef, chopped broccoli rabe, grated cheese, egg, fresh garlic, salt and pepper. Mix with clean hands, then gently form into 15 meatballs, about 1/4 cup each and transfer to a large baking sheet. Broil on the 2nd rack from the top until the top is golden, about 8 to 10 minutes.
  • In a small skillet heat the oil over medium heat, add the garlic and cook until golden on both sides.
  • Pour the crushed tomatoes into a 6-quart slow cooker. Add salt and pepper, bay leaf and the garlic. Gently place the meatballs into the sauce, cover and cook low 4 to 6 hours or high 2 to 3 hours.

Last Step:

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Nutrition

Serving: 3 meatballs plus sauce, Calories: 295 kcal, Carbohydrates: 18 g, Protein: 27 g, Fat: 11 g, Saturated Fat: 4.8 g, Cholesterol: 102 mg, Sodium: 757 mg, Fiber: 1 g, Sugar: 7 g

Categories:

Slow Cooker Broccoli Rabe Meatballs-9Slow Cooker Broccoli Rabe Meatballs-10Slow Cooker Broccoli Rabe Meatballs-8

What’s your favorite way to eat broccoli rabe?

Disclosure: This recipe is in partnership with Andy Boy. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Skinnytaste possible. All thoughts are my own.