Description
Easy Frozen Meatball Pot Roast is a cozy, family-friendly dinner made with tender frozen meatballs, baby carrots, celery, and rich brown gravy spooned over creamy mashed potatoes for the ultimate comfort food easy dinner. This simple crockpot recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, and anyone looking for quick dinner ideas and an easy recipe that tastes like a classic pot roast.
Ingredients
32 ounces frozen fully cooked beef meatballs
3 cups baby carrots
2 cups sliced celery
2 cups beef broth
2 packets brown gravy mix 0.87 ounce each
1 packet onion soup mix 1 ounce
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon soy sauce optional
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water optional thickening
8 cups prepared mashed potatoes for serving
Instructions
1. Add the frozen fully cooked meatballs to the bottom of a 6 quart or larger slow cooker.
2. Scatter the baby carrots and sliced celery evenly over the meatballs so they are distributed throughout the pot.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the beef broth, brown gravy mix packets, onion soup mix, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, dried parsley, dried thyme, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.
4. Pour the gravy mixture evenly over the meatballs and vegetables, making sure everything is coated in the sauce.
5. Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 4 to 6 hours, or on HIGH for 2 to 3 hours, until the vegetables are tender and the meatballs are heated all the way through.
6. If you prefer a thicker gravy, stir together the cornstarch and water in a small bowl, then stir the slurry into the hot liquid in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on HIGH for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, or until the gravy has thickened to your liking.
7. Taste the gravy and adjust the seasoning if needed, adding a bit more black pepper or a pinch of salt if you like.
8. To serve, spoon a generous amount of warm mashed potatoes onto each plate, then top with meatballs, carrots, celery, and plenty of gravy. Serve immediately and enjoy.
Notes
For the best texture, use fully cooked frozen meatballs; raw meatballs may release excess fat and change the consistency of the gravy.
If you like extra veggies, you can add sliced onions or mushrooms to the slow cooker along with the carrots and celery.
To save time on busy nights, whisk the gravy mixture together the night before and store it in the refrigerator, then pour it over the frozen meatballs and veggies in the morning before turning on the slow cooker.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 1450
- Fat: 30
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Unsaturated Fat: 15
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 22
- Cholesterol: 95
Keywords: easy frozen meatball pot roast, slow cooker meatballs, comfort food dinner, weeknight dinner ideas, crockpot meatball recipe, easy recipe, quick dinner ideas, family friendly meals