This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Cooked Perfect® Meatballs for WeConnect. All opinions are 100% mine. These slow cooker meatball chili sliders are easy, hearty and so delicious! Just add all your chili ingredients to the slow cooker – swap out ground beef for Cooked Perfect Meatballs - a few hours later voila… the tastiest appetizer to wow your crowd! Serve them in slit top buns, dinner rolls or straight up like crockpot chili in a bowl! Mmm, mmm!
Have you ever heard of slow cooker meatball chili?? Me either… until now!
Isn’t it brilliant!??
You’re basically swapping out the ground meat for delightful little frozen meatballs!
Ahhh - just so amazing! And in the name of amazingness, I’m serving mine in these top slit buns and turning them into slow cooker chili meatball sliders!
The perfect recipe for some delicious and easy entertaining - don’t you think!?
And isn’t that what we all want… To create some tasty snacks and meals that don’t require too much time or attention, so we can focus on being with all our people and joining in the fun?
I’ll just go ahead and speak for you and me both with a big, YES!! I love to have people over whether it be to watch a game, celebrate a birthday, a holiday, or just life in general. And, I also love to actually spend time with my guests…
So, easy and effortless recipes are a must! Less time stressing out in the kitchen, and more time with the people we love = always winning!!
Which is one of the reasons I love these crockpot chili meatball sliders… they’re easy, delicious and require virtually no effort at all.
How to make crockpot meatballs in homemade chili:
Literally, you sauté some onions and garlic...
... throw them in the crockpot.
Add all chili powder and the rest of your chili seasonings, beef stock, tomatoes with green chilies, tomato sauce and give it a stir.
Add your chili beans, chopped sweet pepper and the Cooked Perfect Homestyle Frozen Meatballs in the crockpot...
... and mix it all together.
Set it on high and 3-4 hours later viola… a yummy crockpot chili recipe with tender and flavorful meatballs all ready to be devoured!
I’m not sure this crockpot meatball recipe could get any better… combining two crowd pleasing favorites into one amazingly delicious appetizer!
If you’ve tried Cooked Perfect Meatballs you know they are super flavorful, crafted using select meats, real cheeses, and aromatic herbs and spices then flame-broiled to sear in the flavor for a delicious tasting meatball. Mmm, drooling on myself a little bit just thinking about them.
They are really tasty and I just love that they can go from freezer to crock pot to my belly with almost no work. You should know that Cooked Perfect Frozen Meatballs heat up just as well in the oven, microwave, or on the stovetop too.
You gotta love all those options my friend! Be sure to look for them next time you’re at the local grocery store in the freezer aisle.
For these chili crockpot meatballs, I used the Homestyle Meatballs because they’re a little smaller (½ ounce), and there are 64 meatballs in one bag. So, each meatball makes the perfect bite, with plenty of them for serving a crowd.
Cooked Perfect has many other meatball flavor options like their Italian Style Meatballs, Gluten Free Italian Style Meatballs, Turkey Meatballs, All Natural Chicken Meatballs, and even Angus Beef Meatballs that I used for these Mini Pizza Meatball Sliders – so good my friend!
With all these fantastic varieties, the possibilities are endless to come up with some easy and delicious entertaining ideas. And If you need more inspiration head on over to Cooked Perfect's website and browse more meatball recipes.
I can’t wait for you to try these easy and delicious Slow Cooker Meatball Chili Sliders! They are the perfect appetizer for effortless entertaining!
Serve them in slit top buns, dinner rolls or straight up like easy chili in a bowl – regardless everyone will agree they are the meatball bomb!
Use this link to Find Cooked Perfect Meatballs near you... I used their homestyle flavor for this recipe but be sure to try their Italian and Angus Beef flavors too! And if you need more recipe inspiration... Browse more meatball recipes here.
I would love to connect with you! Follow me on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest!
Slow Cooker Meatball Chili Sliders
These slow cooker meatball chili sliders are easy, hearty and so delicious!
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion, diced
- 4-5 minced garlic cloves
- 1 bag Cooked Perfect Homestyle Meatballs, (½ ounce size)
- 15 ounces canned tomato sauce
- 10 ounces canned diced tomatoes with chilies (mild, medium or hot to your preference)
- 1 cup beef stock
- 16 ounces dark kidney beans, drained
- 16 ounces light kidney beans, drained
- 1 large sweet pepper (yellow, orange or red)
- 1 tablespoon Mexican Oregano
- 3 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- Garnish with your favorite shredded cheese, sour cream, avocado, fresh tomatoes, green onions, and diced jalapenos.
- 21 small sized hot dog buns
Instructions
- Sauté the onion and garlic in olive oil for 5-6 minutes in a pan on the stove top, then add to the crockpot.
- Add the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt and pepper, tomato sauce, beef stock and tomatoes with chilies and stir.
- Next, add the light and dark kidney beans, chopped sweet pepper and the Cooked Perfect Homestyle frozen meatballs in crockpot and mix it all together.
- Set the slow cooker on high and cook for 3-4 hours (or on low for 6-7 hours) stirring a few times if possible. Serve meatball chili over top slit buns, dinner rolls or by the bowl with toppings.
Notes
I only needed to cook mine on high for 3 hours and my meatballs temped at 165 degrees, but I know all slow cookers do not heat the same.
Nutrition Information
Yield
21Serving Size
1 sliderAmount Per Serving Calories 237Total Fat 3gUnsaturated Fat 0gSodium 369mgCarbohydrates 41gFiber 6gSugar 3gProtein 11g
KA
are three meatballs 237 calories?
Bryan
Hi Kristine! Yes the nutrition info shown below the recipe is for one sandwich, which includes 3 meatballs and the bun. Of course the calories can vary depending on the type of bun you use. Enjoy!!
Jagruti
I love the combination of spices you have used in this recipe! I'm inspired to make sliders for the next bunch of games we watch at home!
holly
Thanks, Jagruti! These were definitely a crowd-pleaser over here on game day!
Tatiana
They look so flavorful and comforting. I didnt use my slow cooker for a while now, its time to bring it back to life!
holly
Yesss - Tis the season for the slow cooker and all things comforting! Thank you, Tatiana!
Karyl Henry
I love that you use mini hot dog buns! What a great twist on the traditional slider bun. These look so fabulous, and perfect for gameday entertaining
holly
I felt like the smaller hot dog bugs with the slit tops were the perfect vehicle to hold these yummy meatballs and their sauce... So glad you agree! Thank you, Karyl!
Sri Mallya
I just can' t wait to try this recipe. Look at that color and your pics are making me hungry. Pinned!
holly
Aww, thank you! The chili seasoning does give the dish a really rich color. It was had to not gobble them all up while I was shooting them!😄
Tammy
Oooh these look scrumptious! What a fabulous dish for weeknights or weekends with the game! 😀 I would love one right now!
holly
Thanks so much, Tammy! This recipe is so easy it's perfect for weeknight dinners or a yummy hands-free dish when entertaining.
Kiki Johnson
This is comfort food at its best! My husband would LOVE these and I think I even have some frozen bison meatballs somewhere! That could work, right?
holly
Mmm, bison meatballs would be really yummy too! Whatever meatball you use it's one hearty and delicious meal!
Jyothi (Jo)
Oh the slider and meat balls ....looks damn good. Your photos got me craving for meatballs now.
holly
Haha that's great to hear! Thanks a bunch, Jyothi!
Nicole | Culinary Cool
Wow! Your photos have me craving meatballs now. Loving the idea of making a meatball chili and then turning them into sliders! Hello! So delicious!
holly
Thank you! I even ate this as straight up chili in a bowl with no buns - both ways it was sooo good!
Veena Azmanov
I love how simple, easy and delicious this looks. The color of this sauce is so yum. So cool that you get these meatballs ready. I must look for these in the market.
holly
The pre-made Cooked Perfect frozen meatballs are a huge time saver! I love how easy it is to throw all the ingredients in the slow cooker and let it cook itself.😆
lauren
With two kids in the mix, I'm all about tasty and easy meals! These look perfect for a game day snacks and I love that you can customize with your own toppings.
holly
These would be a great family meal! Exactly what you need - quick, easy and delicious! Thank you!
Analida @ ethnicspoon.com
I love the ease of using store bought meatballs and those sliders sound so tasty! Thanks for sharing a great recipe!
holly
It's my pleasure, Analida! The store-bought meatballs are a huge time saver and they work great for these sliders!
Erin
You've making me hungry just reading this! I'm drooling over the pics! Can't wait to make this for game day!
holly
Aww, thanks Erin! I'm excited for you to try them! They are a crowd-pleaser for sure!
Kristen King
Oh man my kids will love this! Meatballs can do no wrong around here... What a great idea!
holly
I feel the same way, Kristen! We're huge meatball fans as well! Thank you!
Kathryn @ Family Food on the Table
We LOVE meatballs in my house so I've got to check these out - so great to have on hand and especially to make this delicious chili and sliders! They look amazing!
holly
Me too, Kathryn!! Meatballs are my favorite! Thanks so much!