Crock Pot Spaghetti

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Minimal hands-on time: most of the cooking happens unattended in the slow cooker.
• Deep, well-developed flavors: slow cooking lets the meat and tomatoes meld beautifully.
• One-pot dinner: no need to boil pasta separately — the uncooked spaghetti cooks right in the sauce.
• Perfect for busy days: prep in the morning, come home to a ready-to-serve meal.
• Flexible: you can customize with meatballs, vegetables, cheeses, or spices depending on your preference.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• Ground beef (or a combination of beef and Italian sausage)
• Onion, chopped
• Garlic, minced
• Crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce
• Tomato paste (optional, for thicker sauce)
• Italian seasoning (dried basil, oregano)
• Salt and black pepper
• Red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
• Chicken broth or water
• Spaghetti noodles (dry)
• Parmesan cheese (for serving)
• Optional add-ins: mushrooms, cream cheese, shredded mozzarella, fresh herbs

Directions

1. In a skillet over medium heat, brown the minced meat (beef and/or sausage) with the chopped onion and garlic until cooked through. Drain any excess fat.
2. Transfer the meat into a 6-quart (or larger) Crock Pot (slow cooker).
3. Pour in the crushed tomatoes (or tomato sauce), tomato paste if using, and season with Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Stir well to combine.
4. Cover and cook on LOW for 5–6 hours (or on HIGH for 3–4 hours), until the sauce is rich and flavorful.
5. About 1 ½ hours before serving, remove the lid and add the uncooked spaghetti, breaking the noodles in half if necessary to fit. Pour in the chicken broth (or water) and gently stir to ensure the spaghetti is covered by the sauce and separated (not clumped together).
6. Cover again and continue cooking on LOW, stirring every 30 minutes to prevent sticking, until the pasta is cooked through (usually about 1 to 1.5 hours).
7. Once the spaghetti is tender and saucy, stir in any optional add-ins like cream cheese or shredded mozzarella until melted and creamy.
8. Serve hot, topped with freshly grated Parmesan and a sprinkle of fresh herbs, if desired.

Servings and Timing

• Servings: About 6 generous portions (depending on your slow cooker size and how much pasta you add) — many recipes estimate 6 servings.
• Prep time: ~15–20 minutes (browning meat + mixing sauce) Cook time:
  • Sauce: 3–6 hours depending on heat.
  • Pasta: additional ~1–1.5 hours on LOW once spaghetti is added.

Variations

• With meatballs: Use frozen or fresh meatballs instead of (or in addition to) ground beef. Add them to the sauce and cook, then stir in pasta near the end. Vegetable-packed: Add mushrooms (drained), bell peppers, or chopped zucchini in with the sauce step.
• Cheesy: Stir in cream cheese and/or shredded mozzarella near the end for a creamy texture. Many recipes use cream cheese + Parmesan. (Simple Joy)
• Spicy twist: Increase red pepper flakes or add a dash of chili powder or hot sauce.
• Herb-forward: Use fresh basil, parsley, or oregano instead of (or in addition to) dried herbs for brighter flavor.
• Thicker sauce: Add tomato paste or reduce liquid, or let the sauce cook uncovered for the last 30 minutes to thicken.

Storage / Reheating

• Storage: Let leftovers cool, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4–5 days. (If your sauce was very liquidy, it may thicken in the fridge.)
• Freezing: You can freeze portions (with pasta) in freezer-safe containers for up to 2–3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
• Reheating: Reheat gently on the stove over low to medium heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of water or broth if it’s too thick or dried out. Alternatively, reheat in the microwave in a covered container, stirring halfway through.

FAQs

How do I prevent the spaghetti from sticking together in the slow cooker?

Stir the pasta gently when you add it, and make sure it is fully coated in sauce and liquid. Then stir every 30 minutes while it cooks to separate noodles.

Can I use whole wheat or gluten-free spaghetti in this recipe?

Yes, you can substitute whole wheat or gluten-free spaghetti, but cooking time may vary. Keep an eye on the pasta and adjust liquid if needed.

What if my sauce is too thin or watery after cooking?

You can remove the lid for the last 30 minutes to let excess liquid evaporate (if your slow cooker can be left uncovered safely), or stir in a little tomato paste. You could also cook on the HIGH setting to reduce faster.

Can I skip browning the meat and just add raw ground beef to the Crock Pot?

Technically yes, but browning the meat first adds flavor and helps remove excess fat. If you skip it, be prepared for a more “stew-like” texture and possibly more fat in the sauce.

My pasta is undercooked after the recommended time — what should I do?

Just keep cooking on LOW, stirring occasionally, and add a little more broth or water if needed until the pasta reaches your desired doneness.

Can I make this vegetarian?

Yes! Omit the meat and use extra vegetables (like mushrooms, zucchini, carrots) or plant-based ground “meat.” Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.

Is it safe to leave the slow cooker on “Warm” after cooking?

Yes, many slow cookers have a “Warm” setting for holding food, but it’s best used for a limited time. Liquid will continue to reduce, and pasta can become mushy if left too long.

How can I make this for a crowd?

Just double (or triple) the ingredients and use a larger slow cooker or two slow cookers. Make sure there’s enough sauce and liquid to cook the extra pasta, and stir well when adding spaghetti.

Can I prepare the sauce the night before and then add pasta in the morning?

Yes, that works well. Make the sauce in advance, store it in the fridge, and then in the morning transfer it to your slow cooker, bring it up to temperature, and add the pasta later.

What side dishes go well with Crock Pot Spaghetti?

Garlic bread, a green salad, steamed or roasted vegetables, or garlic knots make great sides. You could also serve a simple Caprese (tomato + mozzarella + basil).

Conclusion

Crock Pot Spaghetti is a comforting, low-effort dinner that delivers big flavor with minimal fuss. With its slow-simmered sauce and pasta cooked right in the Crock Pot, it’s an ideal recipe for busy days or for feeding a family. Its flexibility means you can tweak the meat, vegetables, and cheese to suit your taste, and the leftovers reheat beautifully. Give it a try — once you’ve made spaghetti this way, you might always want to go back to the slow cooker!

Crock Pot Spaghetti

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Crock Pot Spaghetti is a slow cooker pasta dish where the meat sauce simmers for hours, and the uncooked spaghetti cooks directly in the sauce for a rich, flavorful one-pot meal.

• Author: Laura
• Prep Time: 15–20 minutes
• Cook Time: 4–7.5 hours
• Total Time: 4.5–8 hours
• Yield: 6 servings
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Slow Cooker
• Cuisine: Italian-American
• Diet: Halal

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) ground beef or a mix of beef and Italian sausage
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 28 oz (800 g) crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce
• 2 tbsp tomato paste (optional)
• 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• 2–3 cups chicken broth or water
• 12 oz (340 g) dry spaghetti noodles
• Parmesan cheese, for serving
• Optional add-ins: mushrooms, cream cheese, shredded mozzarella, fresh herbs

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Instructions

1. Brown the ground meat with onion and garlic in a skillet over medium heat. Drain excess fat.
2. Transfer the cooked meat to a 6-quart slow cooker.
3. Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Stir to combine.
4. Cover and cook on LOW for 5–6 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours.
5. About 1.5 hours before serving, add the dry spaghetti, breaking in half if needed. Pour in chicken broth or water and stir to submerge the noodles.
6. Cover and cook on LOW for 1–1.5 hours, stirring every 30 minutes to prevent sticking.
7. Once pasta is tender, stir in optional add-ins like cream cheese or mozzarella.
8. Serve hot with Parmesan and fresh herbs.

Notes

• Stir pasta every 30 minutes after adding to prevent clumping.
• Use extra liquid if using whole wheat or gluten-free pasta.
• Add tomato paste to thicken the sauce if needed.
• Vegetarian version works well with plant-based meat or added vegetables.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 480
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 820 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 56 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 55 mg