Mozzarella Stuffed Italian Meatballs for Slow Cooker

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Ragu® . The opinions and text are all mine.

When having guests for dinner, I typically take a little extra time preparing something special. I must get it from my mom, because she just made these absolutely delicious Mozzarella Stuffed Italian Meatballs last week, for our families and some other guests. I admittedly keep frozen meatballs on hand and toss them with a variety of different sauces. It comes together quickly and the kids love ’em. If you have extra time then these meatballs will be a huge hit, and the traditional Ragu® Pasta Sauce helps add to the ease of putting this dinner together.

My husband and I recently moved back to my parent’s hometown, so the kids could grow up near grandma and grandpa. There is something to be said for having family nearby, and being able to share regular family meals together. We probably have dinner together a couple of times each month, if not more. We either do pot luck and divide up the meal, or occasionally we will just treat one another to a home-cooked dinner.

Being able to gather around the table as a family is a tradition that I think all families should encourage. It is a great way to catch up, laugh together and just spend quality time with one another. My mom and I are always coming up with new recipes, using ingredients we frequently have on hand, such as Ragu® Pasta Sauces. You can doctor up, or create so many things with the already made sauces. It can cut down on time in the kitchen, and create more time with the family.

The Mozzarella Stuffed Italian Meatballs were such a big hit that my husband has requested an encore, and soon. My mom knocked this one out of the park, and between the flavorful meatballs and pre-made pasta sauce, there was a ton of flavor to pack a punch.

Head into your local Kroger store and pick up a jar (or 2 or 3) of Ragu® Pasta Sauce, for your next creation.

Mozzarella Stuffed Italian Meatballs for Slow Cooker

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 40 minutes mins

Servings 10

Ingredients

  

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1 lb mild or spicy ground sausage depending on how hot you like
• 1 cup bread crumbs
• 2 eggs - beaten with a fork
• 1/2 cup evaporated milk
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 2 Tbs parsley flakes
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 8 oz mozzarella cubed into 1/2" cubes
• 1 jar of Ragu® Pasta Sauce

Instructions

 

• In a large bowl, place all the ingredients (except the pasta sauce) and using your hands, blend well together.
• Lightly form into a meatball about the size of a mandarin orange. Stuff a cube of mozzarella cheese into the middle of the meatball and seal it up by rolling it firmly in your hands.
• Pour half of the pasta sauce into the bottom of a large slow cooker, then place all the meatballs on top. Pour the remaining sauce over the meatballs. Cook in slow cooker for 2 - 2 1/2 hours til done. Serve with your favorite pasta and some yummy garlic bread and a salad.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Ragu® . The opinions and text are all mine.