Ingredients
32 ounces (approximately 900 grams) frozen meatballs (any type except flavored Italian)
1 ounce packet au jus gravy mix (choose low or no sodium if sensitive to salt)
1 ounce packet ranch dressing mix (homemade ranch seasoning can be substituted)
½ cup (120 ml) water or beef broth as a substitute for peperoncini juice if preferred
¼ cup (60 ml) pepperoncini juice
8 pepperoncini peppers (or a handful; banana peppers can be a milder alternative)
½ cup (1 stick or 113 grams) unsalted butter, sliced
Instructions
1. Place the frozen meatballs in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker. If using homemade meatballs, brown them lightly in a skillet before adding.
2. In a separate bowl, combine the au jus gravy mix, ranch seasoning mix, water (or beef broth), and pepperoncini juice until dissolved evenly. Pour this mixture over the meatballs and stir to coat.
3. Scatter slices of unsalted butter over the meatballs, and add the pepperoncini peppers on top.
4. Cover and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours, stirring every 30 minutes to prevent burning. Cooking time may be shorter with frozen meatballs and longer for homemade versions.
5. After cooking, serve immediately with the buttery drippings spooned over the meatballs as gravy. Optionally, thicken the sauce by mixing 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water to make a slurry, then stirring it into the slow cooker along with ½ cup heavy cream or milk. Cook until thickened, then coat meatballs with the creamy gravy.
Last Step:
Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.Notes
⏲️ Avoid cooking on high to prevent burning and drying out the meatballs.
🌶️ Adjust spiciness by reducing pepperoncini peppers and replacing pepperoncini juice with beef broth or water if desired.
💧 Use low or no sodium seasoning packets to control salt intake.
- Prep Time: 3 to 5 minutes
- Cook: 3 to 4 hours
- Cook Time: 3 to 4 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Not specified
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 0.3 g
- Sodium: 462 mg
- Fat: 47 g
- Saturated Fat: value unavailable
- Unsaturated Fat: value unavailable
- Trans Fat: value unavailable
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: value unavailable