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These Saucy Braised Garlic Butter Meatballs with Orzo are made with Italian spices, peppers, and parmesan. They come together easily and are warm and saucy with just the right amount of spice – so flavorful. Add bread and a simple side salad for a delicious hearty meal. Perfect as a simple family dinner yet equally great for holiday entertaining. This is such an easy, cozy, hearty dinner to prepare. Directions for the crockpot are provided too!
You know my oldest brother Creighton must be home when I start making meatballs. These might just be one of his favorite meals. When I sent him the videos, he almost lost it with excitement. I might have made his Christmas with these meatballs!
We all know that when my family comes for the holidays I love to cook for them. It’s fun to cook with a single person in mind. Most of the time it’s Creighton, Malachi, or Red. Or a lot of times, my cousin Abby. But I will take a request from anyone. It’s always so much fun to make a dish I hope they’re really going to LOVE.
With this being the final week before Christmas (just 5 more days), my focus is on family-style recipes, a Christmas morning classic, appetizers, and drinks. Hoping these are all just what you all need!
Meatballs to start, because we all know I have a soft spot for Creighton.
Here are the details
First things first, when I filmed the video for these, I made the recipe on the stove. The stove top is great, but I do think I prefer cooking these in the crockpot. I gave directions for both, so do what works best for you.
Start with the meatballs. I make mine using ground chicken, ground Italian chicken sausage, Italian seasoning, parmesan cheese, a poblano pepper, and an egg. Just mix everything together and roll it into meatballs. Then place them in a large braiser with sides and sear them lightly.
Next, pour over a couple of jars of marinara sauce and toss in a can of diced tomatoes. Add whole garlic cloves and basil, cover, and simmer. You can cook these quickly or if you have time, low and slow.
If you’re using the crockpot, they can cook quickly on high for a couple of hours or cook them low and slow all day. Either is great.
When the meatballs are cooked, pull the garlic cloves out. Then cook the garlic with butter and fresh sage or rosemary. It is during this time that I cook the orzo too.
If you’re using the crockpot, you will broil the meats with the garlic and butter. It’s simple to do.
Finish this up
Serve the orzo tossed or drizzled with the garlic butter, then add the sauce and meatballs. And I also like to finish with a drizzle more of butter, parmesan, and fresh basil.
Then, since it’s the holidays, I made garlic bread for dipping in the extra sauce. Plus, my favorite winter salad. ‘Twas absolute perfection.
You can serve this up one night during these next two busy weeks. But of course, it’s great to serve all winter long. It’s a hit with everyone.
Looking for other family meals? Here are a few ideas:
Crockpot Garlic Butter Chicken Meatballs with Creamy Orzo
Creamy White Bean Noodle Soup with Rosemary Bacon.
Mustard Herb Chicken and Creamy Orzo
Crockpot Crispy Buffalo Chicken Tacos with Jalapeño Ranch
Slow Cooker Saucy Sunday Bolognese Pasta
Slow Cooker Herbed Chicken and Rice Pilaf
Crockpot Spaghetti Squash Lasagna Bolognese
Lastly, if you make these Saucy Braised Garlic Butter Meatballs with Orzo, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Saucy Braised Garlic Butter Meatballs with Orzo
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 490 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds ground chicken, pork, or beef
- 3/4 pound spicy Italian chicken sausage (see note)
- 1-2 tablespoons Italian seasoning (see note)
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 poblano pepper, chopped
- 1 egg
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 4-6 large cloves garlic
- 6 cups marinara sauce
- 1 can (14.5 ounce) diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
- 8 tablespoons salted butter
- 6 sprigs fresh sage or rosemary
- 1 pound orzo pasta, cooked
Instructions
Stove Top
- 1. Add the chicken, sausage, Italian seasoning, parmesan, poblano pepper, and egg to a bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Mix to combine. Coat your hands with oil, and roll the meat into tablespoon-size balls (around 22 meatballs).2. Heat a large braiser with sides over medium-high heat. Add olive oil, then add the meatballs and lightly sear, about 5 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons butter. Let the butter brown around the meatballs, another 2 minutes.3. Reduce the heat to medium. Pour in the marinara sauce, tomatoes, and add 3/4 cup water. Season with salt and pepper. Add the garlic and basil. Reduce the heat to low. Partially cover and simmer 20 minutes, until cooked through, or up to 3-4 hours, stirring every hour. 4. Remove the garlic cloves from the meatballs. Add both the butter, sage, and garlic to a skillet set over medium heat. Mash the garlic into the butter, allowing the butter to brown and some of the garlic to get crispy.5. Before serving, cook the orzo. Toss the orzo in the garlic butter. 6. Serve the meatballs and sauce over the orzo. Top with parmesan and basil.
Crockpot
- 1. Add the chicken, sausage, Italian seasoning, parmesan, poblano pepper, and egg to a bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Mix to combine. Coat your hands with oil, and roll the meat into tablespoon-size balls (around 22 meatballs). Place the meatballs in the bowl of your crockpot.2. Pour in the marinara sauce, tomatoes, and add 3/4 cup water. Season with salt and pepper. Add 2 tablespoons butter, the garlic, and basil. Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high for 1-2 hours.3. Preheat the broiler to high. Remove the meatballs and garlic from the crockpot and place on a baking sheet.4. Arrange the butter and the sage around the meatballs and garlic, then broil 1-3 minutes, until crisp. Add the meatballs back to the sauce. 5. Before serving, cook the orzo. Chop the garlic and mix with the butter and sage on the sheet pan, then mix with the orzo. 6. Serve the meatballs and sauce over the orzo. Top with parmesan and basil.
Notes
Italian Seasoning: Mix 2 tablespoons dried basil, 2 tablespoons dried oregano, 1 tablespoon dried parsley, 2 teaspoons each – garlic and onion powder, 2 teaspoons dried thyme, 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, and 1 teaspoon dried sage. Add chili flakes, if desired. Store in a sealed container.
Also looking for the note on the chicken sausage. I found sweet Italian ground chicken sausage, so I think I will use that and add some red pepper flakes. I LOVE your recipes! I’ve fallen in love with cooking thanks to you and your site! Have a Merry Christmas!!
Hey Bridget,
If you want to use store bought Italian chicken sausage you can do that, or get regular and add the seasonings in the notes listed to it. Sounds like a great idea! I hope you love this recipe! xT
This is fantastic! Love your recipes!
Hey Rachel,
Happy Friday!!☃️ I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for making it and your comment! xT
In want to make this! Do you get the chicken sausage from Whole Foods? Or can you omit the sausage?
Hey Yelda,
Yes, I get my chicken sausage from Whole Foods! Let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xT
Hi! Could the egg be omitted?
Hi Kaila,
Yes, that would be okay for you to do! Let me know how this dish turns out, I hope you love it! xT
Making this tonight! Could you cook the orzo in the crockpot after removing the meatballs?
Hi Rachel,
Sure, I don’t see why that wouldn’t work for you! I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xT
Hi, these look so good and I’d love to make them tonight! My grocery store doesn’t carry poblano peppers. Can I use a can of Rotel instead of diced tomatoes to get a similar flavor?
Hi Mallory,
I would go ahead and use a green pepper. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xx
It would be helpful if you can send the Orzo directions!!
Hi Sheryl,
Just follow the box instructions for the orzo:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
Looks delicious! Can you please post the garlic bread recipe?
Hey Lisa,
Here are some recipes you might enjoy:
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/garlic-parmesan-bread/
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/pull-apart-christmas-tree-garlic-bread/
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/pull-apart-garlic-butter-bread-wreath/
I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xT
I’m also interested in the note on the spicy chicken sausage as I haven’t found it locally.
Can you use ground turkey?
Hey Jennifer,
Yes, ground turkey will work well for you! Let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it! xx
These meatballs were amazing! There were no leftovers. My family loved them. I’ll definitely be making them again!
Hey Jill,
Happy Holidays!! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I love to hear that it turned out well for you!🎁🎅
Can this be made ahead of time?
Hey Sharon,
Sure, I don’t see why not! Let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it! xx
Is there a video for this recipe?
Hi Missy,
Sorry, I don’t have a video for this recipe just yet. Happy Holidays! xT
Good Morning! Merry Christmas!
I was perusing this recipe as I love your variations on chicken meatballs and you mentioned that there would be a note about chicken sausage (there was just one on the Italian seasoning). But what I’m thinking is that you could just add more seasoning, parmesan and poblano to ground chicken as I know you have a recipe for making chicken sausage elsewhere on the site.
What do you think about that?
I’d like to know this too please 😊😊
Hey Carol,
Sos sorry for any confusion, if you can’t find the Italian chicken sausage, you can use the seasoning mix in the notes to just add to chicken sausage. I hope this makes sense! xT
This looks yummy! I was struggle with my grocery list and meal plans last night so before I head to the store, I will add this! 🙂 I make a lot of your recipes, usually 1-2 a week for quite sometime now. I just want to say I am so happy for you and your success!! Its well deserved! (And that red Valentino dress was adorable!) Get it, girl!!!
Thanks so much for your kind message and following along Brooke!! Let me know if you give this dish a try, I hope you love it! xT
I too would like to know what the missing note re: the chicken sausage would be!