Giant Slow Cooker Meatballs
These Slow Cooker Meatballs pack 40g protein and 899 calories per serving — a complete dinner in one batch. Preps 4 servings quickly on the stovetop, allowing you to meal-prep higher-calorie days without kitchen time. Built for muscle-building phases when you need calorie-dense protein sources.
Ingredients
- •80/20 Ground Beef(227g)
- •Italian Pork Sausage(227g)
- •Egg, Whole, Large
- •Bread Crumbs, Dry, Plain(120g)
- •Parmesan Cheese(60g)
Grated Parmesan — the shelf-stable canister is fine for cooking.
- •Onion powder(1g)
- •Garlic powder(1g)
- •1/4 tsp salt ($0.01)
- •Pasta Sauce, Marinara, Canned(737g)
- •Pasta, Spaghetti, White, Dry(340g)
Instructions
- 1Add the ground beef, Italian sausage, beaten egg, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt to a bowl. Use your hands to combine the ingredients until they are evenly mixed. Divide the mixture into four equal portions, then shape each into a ball.
- 2Place the meatballs in the slow cooker and pour the marinara over top, making sure to coat the top of each meatball. The sauce will only come up about half way to the top of the meatballs, but that's okay. The slow cooker will fill with steam, which will help cook the meatballs even though they are not completely submerged.
- 3Place the lid on the slow cooker and then cook on high for 3 hours, or low for 6-7 hours. Use an instant read thermometer to make sure the meatballs have reached at least 160ºF on the inside (mine had exceeded this temperature after 3 hours on high).
- 4Near the end of the cook time, cook the spaghetti according to the package directions, and then drain in a colander.
- 5Remove the cooked meatballs from the slow cooker, then add the cooked and drained spaghetti, and toss it to coat in the sauce. Divide the sauced spaghetti between four plates, add one giant meatball to each, then enjoy.
Nutrition — Per Serving
899
calories
40g
protein
35g
fat
- Carbohydrates
- 103g
- Saturated fat
- 12.5g
- Sodium
- 1658 mg
- Dietary fiber
- 7.5g
4 servings per batch · ~428g each
Macro data sourced from USDA FoodData Central
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How much protein does Giant Slow Cooker Meatballs have per serving?
Each serving delivers 40g of protein at 899 calories with 35g fat and 103g carbs. The higher calorie count means this recipe works better as a complete meal rather than a side protein component.
How long does Giant Slow Cooker Meatballs take to prep?
Despite the slow cooker name, this recipe is marked as quick prep and batch-preps 4 servings on the stovetop. You can portion out multiple meals at once for convenient reheating throughout the week.
Is Giant Slow Cooker Meatballs good for muscle gain?
At 40g protein and 899 calories per serving with substantial carbs at 103g, this recipe is well-positioned for muscle gain phases requiring high caloric intake and post-workout carbohydrate replenishment. The macro density makes it efficient for bulking phases.
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