Crockpot Meatballs and Our New Arrival!

We have a boy! Mack Robert Lamberti was born Just before midnight on June 27th. He was a tiny little guy, only 6lbs 6oz, but never lost the initial weight babies usually do and has been steadily growing ever since. People keep wondering about the name because it isn't common. Robert is for Matt's grandpa, but Mack is literally just a name we liked. It isn't short for anything or named after anyone. :) We had a few options for boy/girls names, but weren't really settled on any. It is assumed since there are two girls already and two girl dogs that we wanted a boy, but even if he were a girl we would have been equally as excited- gender is one of the least concerning things, in our opinion, when it comes to having a baby. Mila has not really taken to having a brother, she loves to give him his pacifier and blanket and gets concerned when he cries, but also likes to tell us to put him down so that she may be picked up. Charlie is amazing... so helpful and I am so glad she is independent to a point. This summer is now going to be a lot less going places and a lot more low key activities around the area/house. So glad my little guy is safely out in the world. 

 I am saving most of my post-partum meal prep for when I go back to work. In all honesty I still have a decent amount of time right now to prepare dinner. Mila gives me about a 30 min+ nap in the afternoon and Mack can be "worn" or sleeps enough I can prep dinner. This one for sure will be going on the menu though... the meatballs can easily be frozen for a fast dinner in the future. In the summer so it is so nice to use the crockpot, not heat up the house/stand over the stove, to cook dinner. As with most of my recipes, I don't measure a lot! Eyeball it and save yourself the dishes. More meat just means more meatballs, you will have plenty of sauce! Same with the seasoning, eyeballing it is good enough. :)  Mila devoured these plain, the rest of the family had them over pasta with roasted broccoli. They would also be amazing on toasted bread as a sub sandwich! 

Crockpot Meatballs

(makes about 30 1" balls)
- 1-2lbs Lean Ground Beef
- 1-2lbs Ground Pork
- 1 tsp Onion Powder
- 1 tsp Garlic
- 1 Cup Italian Bread Crumbs
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 Cup Grated Parmesan
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Pepper
- 2 24-oz Cans Crushed Tomatoes
- 1 8-oz Can Tomato Paste
- 1-2 Dried Bay Leaves
- 1 Tbsp Sugar 
- 1 tsp Dried Italian Seasoning

1. Add the meat through pepper to a large bowl. Mix with your hands until everything is well combined. Form into 1-2" balls and place on a foil-lined baking sheet. 

2. Move your rack to the top of the over and turn on your broiler. Broil the meatballs until they are browned, flip and do the same to the other side (about 5 min per side.) While they are broiling, make the sauce....

3. Add one can of the crushed tomatoes to your crockpot. When the meatballs are done, add those to the sauce (they won't be cooked through and that's ok!) Add the other can of crushed tomatoes and the remaining ingredients. Cook on low 4-5 hours, taste for more salt/pepper... Enjoy!