Crockpot Mississippi Meatballs (Printable)

Slow-cooked tender meatballs with ranch, au jus spices, pepperoncini peppers, and butter, ideal for easy entertaining.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meatballs

01 - 1 (26-ounce) bag frozen meatballs

→ Seasonings

02 - 1 packet au jus gravy mix
03 - 1 packet ranch seasoning mix

→ Peppers

04 - 1 (16-ounce) jar sliced pepperoncini peppers with juice

→ Liquids and Fats

05 - 1/2 cup water
06 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, diced

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Place frozen meatballs in the bottom of a slow cooker.
02 - Sprinkle the au jus gravy mix and ranch seasoning mix evenly over the meatballs.
03 - Pour the entire jar of sliced pepperoncini peppers, including the juice, over the meatballs.
04 - Add 1/2 cup water.
05 - Scatter the diced butter over the top.
06 - Cover and cook on LOW for 3 to 4 hours, stirring occasionally, until the meatballs are heated through and the sauce is well combined.
07 - Serve hot as an appetizer with toothpicks, or over mashed potatoes, noodles, or rice as a main dish.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Ten minutes of prep means you can actually enjoy your guests instead of stress-cooking in the background.
  • That tangy, savory bite from the pepperoncini cuts through richness in a way that keeps people reaching for just one more.
  • Frozen meatballs do all the heavy lifting, so even a tired weeknight becomes something special.
02 -
  • If you're cooking on high, cut the time to 1.5 to 2 hours and watch them closely, because the difference between tender and slightly rubbery happens fast on high heat.
  • Stir occasionally so the bottom doesn't scorch and the flavors blend evenly—neglecting this is how you end up with burnt sauce on the edges and watery broth in the middle.
03 -
  • Don't thaw the meatballs before cooking—frozen goes straight into the slow cooker and cooks more evenly than thawed ones ever could.
  • If you have time, let everything cook undisturbed for the first 30 minutes before you start stirring, which lets the seasonings bloom and infuse more deeply into the sauce.
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