Easy Frozen Meatball Pot Roast
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If you’re craving a cozy, no-fuss dinner, this Easy Frozen Meatball Pot Roast is a must-try. Instead of using a traditional beef roast, this recipe swaps in frozen meatballs—giving you all the hearty, savory flavor of a classic pot roast with a fraction of the prep and cook time. Everything simmers together in the slow cooker on high for just 3 hours, making it perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends when you want something warm and satisfying without spending all day in the kitchen. It’s a clever shortcut that delivers big comfort with minimal effort.
The frozen meatballs simmer alongside a flavorful blend of celery, baby carrots, and a rich combination of brown gravy mix and onion soup mix. These pantry-friendly seasonings infuse the broth with deep, savory flavor while the water and a touch of butter help create a silky, comforting base. As everything cooks together in the slow cooker, the vegetables become tender and the meatballs soak up all that delicious gravy goodness—making this dish both hearty and satisfying with minimal effort.
Serve this hearty dish alongside a generous scoop of mashed potatoes for the ultimate comfort meal. I whipped up a batch in my Instant Pot for ease, but you can prepare them however you like—stovetop, slow cooker, or even grab a store-bought version to save time. No matter how you make them, they’re the perfect pairing for soaking up all that savory gravy.
My husband mentioned he’d love a bit more gravy with this dish, so next time I’ll stir in an extra packet of gravy mix along with the right amount of water. It’s a simple tweak that’ll make the sauce even richer and more satisfying. Little adjustments like this are what turn a good meal into a family favorite!
Ingredients for Easy Frozen Meatball Pot Roast
- BROWN GRAVY MIX
- ONION SOUP MIX
- WATER
- FROZEN MEATBALLS
- BABY CARROTS
- CELERY
- BUTTER
- PREPARED MASHED POTATOES FOR SERVING
Instructions for Easy Frozen Meatball Pot Roast Recipe
Start by adding the brown gravy mix, onion soup mix, and water directly into your crock pot. Use a whisk to stir everything together until the mixes are fully dissolved and the broth is smooth—this will be the flavorful base that ties the whole dish together.
Next, add the frozen meatballs, baby carrots, and celery to the pot. Give everything a gentle stir to coat the meatballs and veggies in the seasoned broth. Then, take 2 tablespoons of butter, cut it into four pieces, and scatter them evenly over the top. As the butter melts, it adds richness and helps the gravy develop a silky texture.
Cover the crock pot with the lid and cook on high for 3-4 hours, stirring once every hour to ensure even cooking and flavor distribution. The vegetables will become tender, the meatballs will soak up all that savory goodness, and the gravy will thicken slightly as it simmers.
When it’s ready, serve the meatballs and veggies over a generous scoop of mashed potatoes—perfect for soaking up every drop of that delicious gravy. Serves 5–6, making it a cozy, crowd-pleasing dinner with minimal effort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use homemade meatballs instead of frozen?
Yes! If you have cooked homemade meatballs on hand, they’ll work beautifully. Just make sure they’re fully cooked before adding them to the crock pot.
Do I need to thaw the meatballs first?
Nope—frozen meatballs go straight into the slow cooker. They’ll cook through perfectly during the 3-hour high setting.
What kind of gravy mix should I use?
Any standard brown gravy mix packet works well. If you prefer a richer flavor, you can use a beef-style or onion gravy mix.
Can I make this in the oven or on the stovetop?
This recipe is designed for the slow cooker, but you could adapt it for the stovetop by simmering everything gently for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
How do I make extra gravy?
To boost the gravy, simply add an extra packet of brown gravy mix and increase the water by about ¾ cup. This gives you more sauce for serving over mashed potatoes.
FOR MORE RECIPES LIKE THIS, TRY:
Easy Frozen Meatball Pot Roast
Real Mom Kitchen
Ingredients
- 26 oz bag frozen meatballs I use 55 of the meatballs from Costco
- 1 lb baby carrots
- 3 stalks celery cut into chunks
- 2 pkgs brown gravy mix
- 1 pkg pkg
- 2 cups water
- 2 Tbsp butter
- mashed potatoes for serving
Instructions
- Add the brown gravy mix, onion soup mix, and water to the crock pot. Whisk together to combine.
- Add in the meatballs, carrots, and celery. Stir to combine. Cut the butter into 4 pieces and scatter on top of everything in the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on high for 3 hours, giving it a stir every hour. This helps make sure everything cooks evenly.
- Serve up with a big scoop of mashed potatoes on the side. Serves 5-6.
Nutrition
This recipe is adapted from The Lazy Dish.
