Slow Cooker Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs

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Recreate childhood treats the healthy way!

7-day low-carb meal plan

Meatballs, to most of us, sound like pure indulgence. When we think back to the meatballs of our youth, we recall big, juicy meatballs made from veal, pork, and beef, with a whopping dose of refined ingredients like white breadcrumbs and white flour. But if you prepare meatballs with lean ingredients and whole, unrefined ingredients, you can enjoy one of childhood’s greatest treats without the guilt.

Our healthy slow cooker meatballs are made with 100% ground, lean turkey. Ground turkey is an excellent substitute for ground beef in a variety of recipes. It contains all of the protein and flavor you crave, without the high fat content. And since we use whole wheat breadcrumbs and whole wheat flour, you’re getting complex, fiber-rich carbohydrates instead of simple carbs. Extra virgin olive oil, of course, is a healthy fat that actually lowers cholesterol, and this recipe takes advantage of its gorgeous flavor.

Plus, this recipe cuts your effort in half by leaving the cooking to your reliable slow cooker. Simply combine all of your ingredients and mold them into shape, and let the slow cooker do the rest of the work, while you go about your day. Your meatballs will be ready by dinnertime, just in time to feed your hungry loved ones.

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Slow Cooker Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs

Indulge without worry with these stuffed meatballs made with clean and healthy ingredients.
Yield 6 people
Serving Size 3 meatballs
Course Appetizer, Dinner
Cuisine Universal

Ingredients

  • 1 pound lean ground turkey
  • 1 onion medium, finely chopped, divided
  • 1 slice whole-grain bread lightly toasted and ground
  • 1 egg large
  • 1 teaspoon kosher or sea salt divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 3 1/2 ounces mozzarella balls roughly chopped
  • whole-wheat flour to coat the meatballs
  • extra virgin olive oil for browning
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 14 ounces diced tomatoes can
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 4 sage leaves fresh, roughly chopped

Instructions

  • In a medium bowl, mix turkey, ground bread crumbs, egg, half of the onions, 1/2 teaspoon salt and black pepper. Mix well until it becomes compact.
  • Make small balls then push a few pieces of the mozzarella at the center of each meatball. Roll the meatballs on a plate with flour then set aside. Over medium heat, in a saucepan with olive oil, brown the outside of the meatballs. When they are browned, set them aside in a bowl. Discard the oil. Note that the meatballs do not need to be cooked through all the way as they will cook in the sauce and slow cooker.
  • Over medium heat, still in the same saucepan, pour some new oil then sautè the remaining onion. Put back the meatballs then pour in the broth. Cook until the sauce thickens.
  • In the slow cooker, pour the meatballs with the sauce, canned tomatoes, oregano, sage, the remaining salt and a dash of pepper. Set the slow cooker to low for 6 hours or high for 4 hours.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 3meatballs | Calories: 255kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 105mg | Sodium: 153mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g |
SmartPoints (Freestyle): 7
Keywords Kid-Friendly, Low-Carb, Slow Cooker

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Check out more of our incredible meatball dishes for your next meal:

Spicy Asian Chicken Meatballs

Quinoa (Meatless) Meatballs

Slow Cooker Meatball & Potato Soup

Lean Meatballs with Teriyaki Sauce

Italian Meatballs

Spicy Tailgate Meatballs

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Rowena Dumlao-Giardina

Rowena is a recipe developer and food & travel writer/photographer from Italy with Asian roots. Creating healthy dishes in her own kitchen is priority. She believes there is nothing more satisfying than knowing that her family is eating natural & nutritious meals.

More by Rowena

6 Comments

  1. what can i substitute for 1 slice of whole grain bread? I don't want to buy a whole loaf of bread for one slice.

  2. Mine are I the crock pot cooking! Can hardly wIt until dinner time. How are most people serving them?
    I was thinking of maybe serving them over rice (only thing that comes to mind quickly). Any other suggestions from those who have cooked this recipe???

    1. Rice is a great idea, Kasey! You could serve them over any other grain as well (quinoa, farro, bulgar…) or with a piece of whole-wheat bread to mop up the sauce!

  3. So if I was to use bread crumbs from the store, approximately how much would I use? I can’t have gluten and buy special bread that I like to use sparingly. I have found a brand of gluten free panko that is fantastic though.

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