These Meatballs Are About to Become the Hero of Your Weeknight

You keep saying you’re going to be better about meal planning. Then Sunday rolls around and you haven’t swept, done laundry, or dealt with that one bill you just can’t figure out. “Meal planning” seems like one more thing intended to keep you down.

But consider meatballs. Great meatballs can save a work week, a hungry stay-at-home parent, or a cranky kid. Pork is key in this recipe, and as it tends to be somehow juicier, and often cheaper for better quality, than beef—and it’s wonderful in this recipe. Don’t skimp on the bread or ricotta. You’ll want both for texture, as their creaminess is the ideal foil for that smattering of crunchy onions.

And yes, you could make the easy pressure-cooker sauce below, but if that sounds like just too much for tonight, roast the meatballs and make a whole-wheat tortilla wrap of meatballs, cream cheese, sharp cheddar and spinach sautéed with hot pepper flakes. Or, ladle meatballs on to toasted baguette with marinated artichokes and roasted red peppers plucked straight from their jars. They’d take nicely to a spicy leftover Indian chutney, or you could plop them in savory chicken broth with noodles. Because you can make meatballs in advance, and freeze them raw for up to a month, they are one of those dreamboat foods to find in the freezer.

So make meatballs—great ones—this weekend. It’s worth it. You’re worth it.

Slow-Cooker Pork and Ricotta Meatballs with Garlicky Tomato Sauce

Ingredients

• 3 lb. (1.5 kg) ground pork
• 1/2 lb. (250 g) good-quality sliced white bread, processed into crumbs in a food processor
• 1 large yellow onion, minced
• 1 cup (8 oz./250 g) ricotta cheese
• 4 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 tsp. ground fennel
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
• 2 cans (each 28 oz./875 g) crushed tomatoes with their juice
• 1 can (15 oz./470 g) tomato sauce
• 1 tsp. fresh oregano leaves
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 large sprig fresh basil, plus chopped basil for garnish (optional)
• Grated Parmesan cheese for garnish

Directions

1. To make the meatballs, in a large bowl, combine the pork, bread crumbs, half of the onion, the ricotta, the eggs, the fennel, 1 tsp. salt and a few grinds of pepper. Using a wooden spoon, mix well. Oil 2 large rimmed baking sheets. To shape each meatball, scoop up about 3 1/2 Tbs. of the meat mixture and roll between your palms. As the balls are ready, arrange them on the prepared baking sheets, dividing them evenly between the pans and spacing them at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) apart. You should have 30 to 34 meatballs. Cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.

2. To make the sauce, in the slow cooker, combine the tomatoes, tomato sauce, the remaining onion, the oregano, garlic, basil sprig, 1 tsp. salt and a few grinds of pepper and stir well. Cover and cook on the low-heat setting for 1 hour.

3. About 30 minutes before the sauce is ready, position 2 oven racks in the middle of an oven and preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C). Roast the meatballs, rotating the pans between the racks and from front to back about halfway through the cooking, until browned, about 20 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the meatballs to the sauce in the slow cooker. Discard any fat on the pans.

4. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours. The meatballs should be cooked through and the sauce should be flavorful. Remove and discard the basil.

5. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the meatballs to a platter and spoon the sauce over the top. Garnish with chopped basil and the cheese and serve immediately. Serves 8 to 10.

Learn to make the most of your slow cooker with this and other inspiring recipes in our Quick Slow Cooking, by Kim Laidlaw.