How Long to Cook Frozen Meatballs in Crockpot? The Straight Answer for Busy Cooks 🍲

Frozen meatballs are a lifesaver — quick, versatile, and perfect for the slow cooker. But the real question is: how long to cook frozen meatballs in crockpot for the best results?

Get the timing right, and you’ll have tender, flavorful meatballs ready for pasta, subs, or party appetizers. Get it wrong, and you’ll end up with dry or mushy results.

This guide will walk you through everything: exact cook times, settings, tips for sauces, and how to keep your meatballs perfectly juicy.

Need perfect fluffy rice with minimal effort? This Instant Pot jasmine rice recipe delivers every time.

Why Use a Crockpot for Frozen Meatballs?

Slow cookers do the hard work for you. You just toss in your frozen meatballs, add a sauce, and walk away.

• Hands-off cooking

• Perfect for family meals or potlucks

• Works with any sauce (marinara, BBQ, Swedish, sweet & sour, etc.)

Pro Tip: You don’t need to thaw frozen meatballs before cooking them in the crockpot.

How Long to Cook Frozen Meatballs in Crockpot

The cooking time depends on whether you set your crockpot to low or high heat.

Setting	Cook Time	Best For
Low	6–8 hours	All-day cooking, maximum flavor infusion
High	3–4 hours	Faster cooking, great for same-day meals
Keep Warm	Up to 2 hours	Holding temperature after cooking

Step-by-Step: Cooking Frozen Meatballs in Crockpot

1. Add meatballs: Place frozen meatballs directly into the crockpot.

2. Pour in sauce: Marinara, BBQ, or even a creamy sauce works well. Use enough to cover the meatballs.

3. Set temperature: Low for 6–8 hours, high for 3–4 hours.

4. Stir occasionally: If possible, stir once or twice during cooking.

5. Serve hot: Great with pasta, on subs, or as appetizers with toothpicks.

Pro Tip: For extra flavor, add chopped onions, garlic, or bell peppers to the sauce.

Best Sauces for Crockpot Meatballs

• Classic Marinara – Perfect for spaghetti night.

• BBQ Sauce – Sweet and smoky, ideal for game day.

• Swedish Cream Sauce – Rich and savory for comfort food.

• Sweet & Sour Sauce – Great for parties and potlucks.

Tips for Perfect Crockpot Meatballs

• Don’t overcrowd: Leave space for sauce to circulate.

• Frozen only: No need to thaw first — the crockpot handles it.

• Check doneness: Meatballs should reach at least 165°F internal temperature.

• Meal prep friendly: Store leftovers in the fridge for 3–4 days, or freeze for later.

Cooking on low heat gives meatballs the most flavor since they have more time to absorb the sauce.

Variations and Recipe Ideas

• Italian-Style: Add basil, oregano, and parmesan to marinara.

• Asian-Inspired: Use teriyaki or hoisin sauce with sesame seeds.

• Buffalo Meatballs: Toss with buffalo sauce and serve with ranch.

• Holiday Favorite: Mix cranberry sauce and chili sauce for a sweet-spicy glaze.

Looking for easy weeknight meals? These vegan slow cooker recipes are hearty, comforting, and do most of the work for you.

FAQs

How long to cook frozen meatballs in crockpot? 6–8 hours on low or 3–4 hours on high.

Do I need to thaw frozen meatballs first? No, they go straight into the crockpot.

How do I know if meatballs are done? Use a meat thermometer — they should be 165°F inside.

Can I keep meatballs warm in crockpot? Yes, up to 2 hours on the “warm” setting.

What’s the best sauce for crockpot meatballs? Marinara, BBQ, Swedish cream, or sweet & sour are all great choices.

Can I cook homemade meatballs from frozen? Yes, but ensure they’re fully cooked or par-cooked before freezing.