Crock-Pot Easy 4 Ingredient Enchilada Meatballs Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How long to heat meatballs in crockpot? ›

Add your frozen, fully cooked meatballs to the slow cooker. Pour in your preferred sauce and give it a stir to coat the meatballs. Use enough sauce to just cover the meatballs. Cook on low for four to six hours.

What is the best way to reheat and keep the meatballs warm throughout the party? Editor: Personally, I'd warm the meatballs at 300°F on a baking sheet or casserole dish until warmed through. To keep them warm, your best bet is probably leaving them in a slow-cooker on the “warm” setting.

Fully cooked frozen meatballs will cook in a crockpot over low heat for 3-4 hours. The internal temperature of the ground beef meatballs should be 160º when completely cooked. Do you thaw meatballs before putting them in a crockpot? Nope!

Pour your sauce over the meatballs, so they are completely covered. Cover with aluminum foil or oven safe lid because it will lock in the moisture and heat. Bake for about 25-30 minutes, until heated through.

One disadvantage to the slow cooker is that meatballs may fall apart if you put them in the pot raw. By partially cooking the meatballs before you put them in the slow cooker, you can ensure your meatballs do not fall apart.

Bind but don't overwork

Whether it's breadcrumbs or egg (or both), or simply salt, binding the mince is a crucial step in maintaining the softness of your meatballs while preventing them from falling apart. Try soaking your breadcrumbs in milk for extra moisture and fluffiness.

Use 1 egg, 3/4 cup of dried breadcrumbs, and 1/2 cup of milk per pound of ground meat. The egg and crumbs act as a binder. DON'T over-mix the meat/bread mixture or the meatballs will become tough. I use a small 1 scoop (like a miniature ice cream scoop) to portion the meatballs and roll them in my wet hands.

To minimize the risk of food becoming unsafe by remaining in the temperature danger zone for too long, preheat your empty slow cooker on the highest setting for approximately 1 hour. Use the time to prepare your ingredients.

Stove Top- Reheat in the sauce if you have it on low, if not reheat in a light beef bouillon water on low or about 140 degrees. Oven- place into oven on sheet pan with a splash of water cover with saran wrap, heat at 225 degrees for 25 minutes or so.

Bake meatballs at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes, or until heated through. Microwave – The quick method for reheating ground pork meatballs is to place them on a microwave-safe plate in a single layer and cover. Microwave on high heat for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through.

Do meatballs get softer the longer you cook them? ›

Tenderizing the Meat:

As the collagen in the meat dissolves over time, it transforms into gelatin, which not only adds a silky texture to the sauce but also contributes to the overall richness and depth of flavor. The longer the simmer, the more tender and succulent the meatballs become.