Description
Crockpot Spaghetti and Meatballs is an easy, comforting slow cooker meal featuring tender meatballs simmered in rich marinara sauce, combined with perfectly cooked spaghetti. This family-friendly dinner is ideal for busy days, requiring minimal hands-on cooking while delivering delicious, hearty flavors.
Ingredients
Sauce and Seasonings
- 1 (28 oz) jar marinara sauce
- 1 (14.5 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Meatballs
- 1 1/2 pounds frozen or homemade meatballs
Pasta and Liquids
- 8 ounces spaghetti, broken in half
- 2 cups water or beef broth
Optional Garnishes
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)
- Fresh parsley or basil, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Crockpot: Lightly grease the crockpot insert to prevent sticking during cooking.
- Combine Sauce Ingredients: Add marinara sauce, crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper into the crockpot. Stir well to combine all the flavors evenly.
- Add Meatballs: Place the meatballs into the sauce and stir gently to coat them thoroughly with the sauce mixture.
- Slow Cook Meatballs: Cover the crockpot and cook on LOW for 4–5 hours or on HIGH for 2–3 hours to allow the meatballs to become tender and flavorful.
- Add Pasta and Liquid: About 30 minutes before serving, add the broken spaghetti and 2 cups of water or beef broth to the crockpot. Stir gently to ensure the pasta is submerged in the liquid.
- Cook Pasta: Cover and cook on HIGH for 20–30 minutes, stirring once halfway through the cooking time to prevent sticking, until the pasta is tender and fully cooked.
- Finish and Serve: Stir the contents well. Serve the spaghetti and meatballs topped with grated Parmesan cheese and freshly chopped parsley or basil if desired.
Notes
- Stirring the pasta halfway through cooking helps prevent it from sticking together.
- Use gluten-free pasta and gluten-free meatballs if needed for a gluten-free version; note that pasta cooking time may vary slightly.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated thoroughly before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
