Name: Crockpot Meatball Stew
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 6 h
Total time: 6 h 10 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 24 count bag meatballs; 2 carrots, diced; 2 ribs celery, diced; 1 yellow onion, diced; 1 cup green beans, trimmed; 24oz baby potatoes, quarter cut; 2 tablespoons tomato paste; 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce; 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard; 1 teaspoon dried thyme; 4-5 garlic cloves, minced; 8 cups beef broth

Crockpot Meatball Stew is the epitome of easy comfort food, delivering big on flavor with minimal effort. Whether you’re serving it up for a family dinner or preparing it ahead for a busy week, this stew will quickly become a go-to recipe in your kitchen.

A black crockpot with a ladle filled with crockpot meatball stew.

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Easy Crockpot Meatball Stew Recipe

This is one of those amazing toss everything and let it cook crockpot meals. Besides a little chopping for the veggies there is no meat browning because we are using frozen meatballs, so all you have to do is throw them on in!

Best served with a green salad or some sort of crusty bread (or try my focaccia or beer bread recipes). This is a great recipe for those weeknights when you have to feed the entire family but you just don’t have time to cook in between all the activities.

This slow cooker meatball stew recipe is also easy to use veggies you love, not just the ones written in the recipe. So go crazy with this easy yet comforting perfect meal.

Close up of slow cooker meatball stew in a black crockpot with a black ladle.

Ingredients

Meatballs – You can use the convince of frozen meatballs or use homemade meatballs if you have those available to you. I choose to use italian meatballs you can use really any flavors that work best for you.
Carrots – A couple of diced carrots. Feel free to grab frozen diced carrots, same with the celery onions, and green beans if you find that works better for you.
Celery – Diced
Yellow Onion – Diced
Green Beans – With the ends trimmed off for best results.
Baby Potatoes – You can use whatever variety works best for you, I use yellow but red potatoes work just as well.
Tomato Paste – You only need two tablespoons so you can use tomato paste from the tube or use a small can a freeze the extra tomato paste.
Worcestershire Sauce – For flavoring.
Dijon Mustard – For flavoring.
Dried Thyme – For flavoring.
Garlic – Fresh cloves that are minced work best.
Beef Broth – I prefer low-sodium broth but you can use the kind you prefer.

pro tip

Customize Your Veggies: While the recipe calls for carrots, celery, and green beans, feel free to experiment with other vegetables like bell pepper, parsnips, turnips, or mushrooms for added depth.

Instructions

Begin by dicing the carrots, celery, and onion. Trim the green beans and cut the baby potatoes into quarters. If you’re using homemade meatballs, prepare those in advance.

Add the meatballs, vegetables, minced garlic, dried thyme, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and Dijon mustard.

Pour the beef broth over all the ingredients, ensuring everything is submerged. Give it a quick stir to combine.

Uncooked ingredients in a black crockpot before cooking.

Set your crockpot to low and let the stew cook for 6 to 7 hours. For a quicker meal, cook on high for 3 to 4 hours.

Once the stew is done, give it a good stir to distribute the flavors evenly. Ladle into bowls and enjoy your delicious meal!

A black ladle with meatballs in a batch of slow cooker meatball stew.

tips, tricks and questions

Thicken the Stew

Prefer a thicker consistency? Add a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water) during the last 30 minutes of cooking.

Can I use chicken or turkey meatballs?

Absolutely! Chicken or turkey meatballs work well and can lighten up the dish. Consider using chicken broth instead of beef broth for a complementary flavor.

What can I substitute for Worcestershire sauce?

Soy sauce or coconut aminos are excellent substitutes. Alternatively, you can omit it for a milder taste.

How can I make this stew gluten-free?

Use gluten-free meatballs and ensure that your Worcestershire sauce and beef broth are gluten-free.

Can I cook this on the stovetop?

Yes! Combine all ingredients in a large pot and simmer on medium heat until the veggies are all soft and cooked.

How do I store leftovers?

Yes this makes great leftovers (especially because this is a large recipe). Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can also freeze in a freezer safe container or zip top freezer bag, I like to freeze in souper cubes for individual servings. Reheat on the stove top or in the microwave for a quick and easy meal.

Overhead view of a crockpot and two white bowls filled with crockpot meatball stew.

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Yield: about 8 servings