Super Easy Slow Cooker Porcupine Meatballs

Ingredients

1 pound lean ground beef
½ cup long grain rice not instant rice
1 egg
1 tablespoon dehydrated onion flakes
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon salt
Fresh cracked black pepper
for the sauce
1 28 ounce canned crushed tomatoes
½ cup water
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
¼ cup basil torn
salt and pepper to taste

Directions

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, dehydrated onion flakes, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix until everything is well combined.

In a smaller bowl, whisk the egg and mix in the rice. Then work the egg and rice mixture into the meat mixture.

Roll the meat mixture into meatballs, about the size of ping pong balls. Place the meatballs on a plate or baking sheet lined with parchment paper as you go.

Add the crushed tomatoes to the insert of the slow cooker along with ½ cup of water and the remaining teaspoon of Italian seasoning, then nestle your meatballs gently into the sauce.

Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, or until the meatballs are cooked through and the rice is tender.

Scoop the cooked meatballs out of the sauce. Stir in the balsamic vinegar and torn basil. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.

Serve them meatballs hot, garnished with additional fresh basil if desired. Enjoy!