Hearty Hungarian Goulash Meatballs: Cozy Slow Cooker Recipe

Tender, juicy meatballs swimming in a rich slow cooker Hungarian goulash sauce spark memories of hearty European comfort food.

Beef mingles with aromatic spices, creating a deeply satisfying meal that warms your soul.

Paprika adds vibrant color and depth to every succulent bite.

The slow cooker works its magic, letting flavors meld and intensify throughout the cooking process.

Robust and rustic, these meatballs deliver a traditional taste of hungary with minimal effort.

Serve over egg noodles or creamy mashed potatoes for a complete and delicious dinner that will have everyone asking for seconds.

This recipe transforms a classic dish into an easy, weeknight-friendly meal anyone can master.

How to Make Hungarian Goulash Meatballs

• Veggie Foundation

Sauté onions and green peppers in a skillet until they become soft and fragrant, releasing their delicious aromatics and creating a flavor base for the dish.

• Paprika Magic

Lower the heat and sprinkle in vibrant Hungarian paprika, stirring gently to awaken the spices and develop a rich, warm color and depth of flavor.

• Meatball Preparation

Mix ground beef with egg, bread crumbs, herbs, and seasonings, using your hands to combine ingredients until they just come together without overmixing.

• Shaping Comfort

Roll the meat mixture into tender, bite-sized spheres that will nestle perfectly in the savory sauce, creating little pockets of deliciousness.

• Slow Cooking Adventure

Gently place meatballs into the crockpot, allowing them to simmer slowly and absorb the incredible flavors of the paprika-infused sauce for several hours.

• Creamy Finish

Swirl in a luxurious dollop of sour cream, creating a silky, tangy sauce that transforms the dish into a comforting Hungarian-inspired masterpiece.

• Serving Happiness

Pile the succulent meatballs and their rich sauce over a bed of fluffy egg noodles or creamy mashed potatoes, inviting everyone to savor each delightful bite.

Tips to Perfect Hungarian Goulash Meatballs

• Swap traditional ground beef for ground pork or a mix of meats to add depth and richness to your meatballs.
• Dial up the heat by adding a pinch of hot Hungarian paprika or a few red pepper flakes for those who love a kick.
• Experiment with different bell peppers like red or yellow to create a more colorful and vibrant dish that pops on the plate.
• Prepare the meatballs and sauce a day ahead, letting the flavors meld overnight in the refrigerator for an even more intense taste experience.

Serving Hungarian Goulash Meatballs with Ease

• Comfort Carb Companions: Serve this rich, hearty goulash meatballs over fluffy egg noodles for a classic, comforting meal that soaks up every delicious drop of sauce.
• European-Style Plating: Pair the meatballs with creamy mashed potatoes, creating a traditional Hungarian-inspired presentation that highlights the dish's robust flavors.
• Fresh Brightness Boost: Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or a sprinkle of extra paprika to add color, freshness, and a pop of flavor that cuts through the meat's richness.
• Side Salad Companion: Add a crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette to balance the heavy, savory notes of the goulash meatballs and provide a refreshing contrast.

Storing Goulash Meatballs from the Crockpot

• Smart Batch Cooking: Double the recipe and freeze half the meatballs in sauce for quick future meals. Portion into airtight containers that hold 2-3 servings for easy weeknight dinners.
• Refrigerator Storage Strategy: Keep leftover goulash meatballs in sealed containers for up to 4 days. The flavors actually improve overnight, making next-day lunches incredibly delicious.
• Freezer-Friendly Hack: Separate meatballs and sauce before freezing to maintain best texture. Label containers with date and contents, storing for maximum 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheating Magic: Warm slowly in microwave or stovetop, adding small splash of beef broth to prevent drying. Stir gently to redistribute sauce and maintain juicy meatball consistency. Avoid rapid high-heat cooking to keep meat tender.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 4 hours

Total Time: 5 hours 30 minutes

Calories: 396 kcal

Servings: 7

Ingredients for Slow Cooker Hungarian Goulash Meatballs

• Lean Ground Beef: Provides rich, hearty protein foundation for tender, juicy meatballs with lean texture.
• Egg: Binds ingredients together, creating smooth, cohesive meatball mixture.
• Seasoned Bread Crumbs: Adds structural support, ensures moist and tender meatball texture.
• Fresh Chopped Parsley: Introduces bright, fresh herbal notes and vibrant green color.

• Yellow Onion, Minced Yellow Onion: Delivers deep, sweet foundational flavor with subtle sharpness.
• Green Bell Pepper: Contributes crisp texture and mild, slightly tangy vegetable essence.

• Hungarian Sweet Paprika: Offers warm, rich, slightly sweet red pepper complexity.
• Hungarian Hot Paprika: Introduces subtle, controlled spicy kick and deep red color.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Enhances overall flavor profile, balancing and lifting other ingredients.
• Crushed Tomatoes: Creates rich, robust sauce base with smooth, velvety consistency.
• Olive Oil: Provides smooth cooking medium and subtle fruity undertone.

• Egg Noodles, Rice, Mashed Potatoes: Offers comfortable, classic starch accompaniment to absorb delicious sauce.

Tools for Hungarian Goulash Meatballs in the Slow Cooker

• Slow Cooker: Essential for simmering meatballs and creating rich flavor without constant monitoring.
• Large Frying Pan: Perfect for sautéing onions and green peppers before transferring to slow cooker.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Needed for combining ground beef and other meatball ingredients.
• Fork: Helpful for mixing meatball ingredients thoroughly and evenly.
• Measuring Tablespoons: Critical for portioning meatballs and measuring oil and spices.
• Cutting Board: Used for chopping onions and green peppers.
• Sharp Knife: Required for precise vegetable chopping.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring vegetables and sauce in the pan.
• Separate Small Bowl: Useful for tempering sour cream before adding to the dish.

Hearty Slow Cooker Hungarian Goulash Meatballs Recipe

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4.7 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 5 hours 30 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Hearty meatballs swimming in Hungarian goulash sauce offer a comforting journey through Central European cuisine. Simmered with paprika and rich spices, these tender morsels will transport diners straight to Budapest’s charming streets.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 ¼ lbs (0.57 kg) lean ground beef
• 28 oz (794 g) crushed tomatoes (canned)
• 1 large yellow onion (diced)
• 1 green bell pepper (diced)
• 1 whole egg
• 4 tbsps (60 ml) olive oil (divided)
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) Hungarian sweet paprika
• ¼ cup (60 ml) seasoned bread crumbs
• ¼ cup minced yellow onion
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) fresh chopped parsley
• 1 tsp (5 ml) Hungarian hot paprika
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste
• Cooked egg noodles or rice or mashed potatoes (for serving)

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Instructions

1. Aromatic Base Preparation: Sauté onions and green peppers in oil over medium heat until vegetables become translucent, then reduce heat and sprinkle sweet and hot paprika, stirring continuously to release deep, rich flavors.
2. Meatball Crafting: In a large mixing bowl, blend ground beef with egg, bread crumbs, minced onion, parsley, salt, and black pepper, gently mixing until ingredients are uniformly incorporated.
3. Shaping and Layering: Form compact, rounded meatballs about 1 inch in diameter and carefully nestle them into the seasoned vegetable mixture within the slow cooker.
4. Slow Cooking Process: Cover and cook on high for 3.5-4 hours or on low for 5-6 hours, allowing meatballs to become tender and absorb the vibrant Hungarian-inspired flavors.
5. Sauce Refinement: Temper sour cream by gradually whisking hot cooking liquid to prevent curdling, then smoothly integrate the creamy mixture back into the slow cooker.
6. Serving Presentation: Plate the succulent goulash meatballs over egg noodles, steamed rice, or mashed potatoes, garnishing with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a final touch of color and flavor.

Notes

• Master Meat Mixing: Use a fork for gentle blending to keep meatballs tender, avoiding overworking the ground beef which can make them tough.
• Paprika Power: Toast paprika briefly to unlock deep, rich flavors that are quintessential to authentic Hungarian cuisine, releasing complex aromatics.
• Sour Cream Technique: Always temper sour cream by slowly introducing hot liquid to prevent unwanted curdling, ensuring a smooth, silky sauce finish.
• Cooking Time Precision: Adjust slow cooker settings based on your schedule – high heat for faster cooking or low heat for more developed flavors and maximum tenderness.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 4 hours
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Frying, Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Hungarian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 396
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 21 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg