A delicious meal made entirely in the crock pot! These Crock Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs are perfect for family dinners.
Everything is cooked right in the crock pot, including the pasta!
Slow Cooker Spaghetti and Meatballs
Crock Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs is one of those comforting meals that everyone in my family loves. There’s nothing better than coming home to the delicious aroma of spaghetti sauce simmering away and knowing that dinner is ready to go.
This recipe is great for days when you want a homemade meal without a lot of hands-on time. Simply add everything to the Crock Pot, and let it do the work. The slow cooking blends the flavors of the sauce and meatballs, making each bite irresistible.
It’s a go-to family favorite for a casual weeknight dinner or a weekend meal when you just want something comforting and satisfying.
Ingredients needed for Spaghetti and Meatballs in Crockpot
- Meatballs - frozen Italian-style meatballs. Use your own homemade meatballs or purchase a bag from the store.
- Marinara Sauce - or spaghetti sauce. Use your favorite brand or use a homemade recipe.
- Broth - beef broth or chicken broth. You could also use water or vegetable broth. The broth is needed to add additional flavor and to provide enough liquid for the pasta to cook.
- Pasta - Use a thick or regular spaghetti noodle. Don't use think or angel hair pasta. It won't hold up to this cooking process.
- Seasoning - Just a bit of Italian seasoning and garlic powder to amp up the flavor.
How to make Crockpot Spaghetti and Meatballs
- Lightly spray the inside of your crock pot with a nonstick spray
- Place a layer of frozen meatballs in the bottom
- Pour marinara sauce over meatballs
- Add broth and sprinkle on seasoning
5. Heat on low for 3-4 hours until everything is hot and the mixture is bubbling
6. Bread spaghetti in half and add to mixture. Try to add the pasta in a crisscross pattern and not all in one direction. Give a brief stir and place the lid back on the crock pot.
7. Cook for 15 minutes and give a brief stir
8. Continue cooking for another 15 minutes. Taste to see if your pasta is done. If needed, let it cook for another 5-10 minutes
9. Serve hot with a sprinkle of parmesan and freshly chopped basil
Tips for Crock-pot Spaghetti and Meatballs
- Feel free to adjust the number of meatballs. They come in a variety of sizes, so select the amount you need.
- Cooking time will vary depending on the type of crock pot you have
- Taste the pasta to determine when it's done. If you cook it too long, the pasta will become very soft.
- Different shapes of pasta can be used, but the cooking time will vary
What to serve with Slow Cooker Spaghetti and Meatballs
- Breadsticks
- Caesar salad
- Green salad with lemon vinaigrette
How to store Crockpot Spaghetti and Meatballs
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Allow the spaghetti and meatballs to cool before placing in the fridge.
This dish also freezes well. Place cooled leftovers in a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to 3 months.
Frequently asked questions
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat single portions in the microwave until heated through.
Leftovers should be used within 3-4 days.
Yes, as long as your slow cooker can accommodate everything.
More crock pot recipes
- BBQ pulled pork
- Italian beef sandwiches
- Shredded Mexican chicken
- Chicken tortilla soup
- Refried beans
- Teriyaki Chicken
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop
Check out all my delicious main dish recipes!
Crockpot Spaghetti and Meatballs
Equipment
Ingredients
- 18 frozen meatballs (Italian style)
- 1 jar marinara sauce (approx 24 ounces)
- 2 cups beef broth (or chicken broth)
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 8 ounces spaghetti noodles (thick or regular)
- 1 tablespoon parmesan cheese (optional)
- ½ teaspoon fresh basil (optional)
Instructions
- Lightly spray the inside of your crock pot with a nonstick spray
- Place a layer of frozen meatballs in the bottom18 frozen meatballs
- Pour marinara sauce over meatballs1 jar marinara sauce
- Add broth and sprinkle on seasoning2 cups beef broth, ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Heat on low for 3-4 hours until everything is hot and the mixture is bubbling
- Break spaghetti in half and add to mixture. Try to add pasta in a crisscross pattern and not all in one direction. Give a brief stir and place lid back on crock pot.8 ounces spaghetti noodles
- Cook for 15 minutes and give a brief stir
- Continue cooking for another 15 minutes. Taste to see if you pasta is done. If needed, let it cook for another 5-10 minutes
- Serve hot with a sprinkle of parmesan and freshly chopped basil1 tablespoon parmesan cheese, ½ teaspoon fresh basil
Notes
- Feel free to adjust the amount of meatballs. They come in a variety of sizes, so select the amount you need.
- Use regular spaghetti noodles, not thin or angel hair pasta
- Cooking time will vary depending on the type of crock pot you have
- Taste the pasta to determine when it's done. If you cook it too long, the pasta will become very soft.
- Different shapes of pasta can be used, but the cooking time will vary
Nutritional Disclaimer:
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. To obtain the most precise nutritional information in a provided recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the exact ingredients you are using when preparing the recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Caryn says
This recipe is super easy and delicious. I did have a hard time with the frozen meatballs because the person I was making this for has dairy, allergies and all the Italian style frozen meatballs had cheese in them! Which I don't have a problem with personally. Anyway, I found some regular meatballs that were dairy free and the recipe worked just fine. I added my own heaping mound Parmesan cheese on top at the table!😊
Kathy says
I'm glad you found a way to make it work. Next time you might need to try making your own meatballs if you have trouble finding them again. Glad you enjoyed the final results.
Kathy 🙂
Kim says
Made this for the family and it was a huge hit!! They thought it would be dry like baked spaghetti but they were pleasantly surprised when they saw how saucy it was!! I will definitely be making this again (per their request!)!😊
Kathy says
Thanks so much! It makes an easy dinner. I'm so glad everyone loved it! 🙂
Brian B says
Kathy,
I'm just about the worst cook in the world and most recipes I try come out horribly wrong. However, I tried your Crock Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs recipe and it came out great! In fact, it came out great the first time I tried it, which I think is a first for me. 😀 I now have a great go-to comfort food recipe that's easy to make and since it uses a crick pot I can do errands while it cooks. So, 5/5 stars from me!
Brian
Kathy says
Hi Brian,
That's so awesome! And good for you for sticking with cooking and not giving up. The more you do it, the more success you'll have. I'm so glad this recipe worked out so well for you! Thanks so much for letting me know!
Kathy 🙂
Don says
If I 3x the recipe, will it fit in an 8qt crock pot?
Kathy says
I'm afraid that might be too much for a crockpot of that size.
David @ Spiced says
Well now this is a great idea, Kathy! I love spaghetti and meatballs - you can't get much more classic comfort food that that. But then you add in the fact that it's a slow cooker meal? I'm sold! I want this for dinner tonight now!
Kathy says
Pasta is one of my favorites and this makes getting dinner on the table even easier! Enjoy 🙂
Michelle says
What a fantastic and efficient way to cook spaghetti and meatballs!
Kathy says
Thanks! It really makes a wonderful dinner!