Crockpot Spaghetti And Meatballs
Indulge in the timeless delight of Crockpot Spaghetti and Meatballsโa comforting classic loved by families year-round. This effortless Crockpot recipe features perfectly seasoned Italian meatballs, making it the ultimate comfort food.
Post includes Weight Watchers points.
Guys, if your family is anything like mine, then I’m betting that spaghetti is a meal everyone can agree on. Italian food is always a hit in our house and this meal does not disappoint. It’s super easy and very affordable.
Yeap, you’ll rant and rave to your friends and family about how you have found another go-to family favorite easy supper.
You can also double or triple this crockpot pasta and meatballs recipe when you need to feed a crowd, just like this Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce or Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Casserole.
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And folks, if meal planning is your thing, go ahead and add this Crockpot Spaghetti and meatballs to your list. It’s perfect to make ahead, warm up when needed and you can easily freeze and reheat in the future.
This Slow Cooker Spaghetti uses common pantry ingredients that you most likely already have in the pantry cupboard and you only need to put about 5 minutes of your time into this in order to serve up a restaurant-quality meal for your family. #easyrecipesforthewin
If your family shares our deep affection for meatballs, why not make your very own delectable ground beef meatballs? This way, you’ll always have a freezer stash of these flavor-packed treasures ready to go whenever the craving strikes.
Table of Contents
Why Make This Crockpot Spaghetti And Meatballs
- Frugal – Firstly, this is made with budget-friendly ingredients that go a long way with this recipe.
- Pantry Meal – Make this slow cooker pasta with meatballs with a handful of common pantry staples and 5 minutes of hands-on time.
- Feeds a Crowd – Certainly, it is just the thing for easy weeknight suppers, potlucks, game day gatherings, parties, and family feasts.
- Comfort Food – Additionally, spaghetti and meatballs in tomato sauce are comfort foods we all crave.
- Kid-Friendly – Moreover, crockpot spaghetti is a surefire hit with children and adults alike, making it an ideal choice for family-friendly dining.
- Time-Saving – And lastly, the beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and convenience. With minimal prep, you can enjoy a hearty meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
So, if you’re looking to simplify your meal prep routine? Then, explore this assortment of fantastic Dump and Start Crockpot Recipes, offering a wide range of effortless dinner inspirations.
Ingredient Notes
- Diced And Crushed Tomatoes – Diced tomatoes add a chunky texture and rich tomato flavor to the sauce. You can use two cans if you prefer a saucier consistency. Crushed tomatoes form the base of the tomato sauce, providing a smooth and thick consistency.
- Beef Broth – Beef broth enhances the savory depth of the sauce, adding a meaty flavor to complement the meatballs.
- Honey – Honey adds a touch of sweetness to balance the acidity of the tomatoes and vinegar.
- Balsamic Vinegar – Balsamic vinegar contributes a tangy and slightly sweet flavor that elevates the overall taste of the sauce.
- Seasoning – Italian seasoning is a blend of dried herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme, providing a classic Italian flavor profile to the sauce. Minced garlic can be added for a hint of garlic flavor. It’s optional, so you can adjust the amount to your preference. Onion powder adds an onion flavor without the texture of diced onions. Like garlic, it’s optional.
- Salt and Pepper – Salt enhances the flavors of the ingredients and seasons the sauce to your liking. Black pepper adds a bit of heat and depth to the sauce.
- Meatballs – You can use store-bought, homemade or frozen meatballs. They are the star protein in this dish.
- Spaghetti – Spaghetti noodles is the pasta of choice for this classic dish. Breaking it in half makes it easier to fit in the crockpot.
- Optional toppings – Fresh herbs like basil or parsley and grated Parmesan cheese can be used to garnish the finished dish for added flavor and visual appeal.
Ready to learn how to make these Crockpot Spaghetti And Meatballs? Grab those meatballs and the other ingredients, and I will show you…
Handy Tip: Use Good Kitchen Tools!
For the best tools to help make your recipe even easier and more successful, check out my collection of the Best Kitchen Tools on Amazon.
How To Make Spaghetti and Meatballs In The Slow Cooker
Get the complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.
- Firstly, mix the tomatoes, beef broth, honey, balsamic vinegar, Italian seasoning, garlic, onion powder (if using), salt, and pepper together in a 6-quart Slow Cooker.
- Then, add in the meatballs, close and cook for 3-4 hours on high or 6-7 hours on low heat.
- Mix in the spaghetti, making sure it is submerged in the sauce, cover, and cook for another 30 minutes on high or until the pasta is tender to your liking.
- Then, ladle crockpot spaghetti and meatballs into bowls and top with herbs and cheese before serving.
Pro Tips
- Ensure the pasta is completely covered by the beef broth and other cooking liquid before cooking.
- When storing leftovers, put them in single-serving containers to make reheating easier.
- Then, if you like a thinner pasta sauce, you may want to add more broth to your crock pot Spaghetti and meatball sauce.
- Break the dry spaghetti into thirds so it fits inside the crockpot.
- Slow Cooker temperatures may vary depending on your make and model, check the internal temperatures of meatballs and tenderness of pasta before eating. You may find that your pasta dinner is ready in less time.
Delicious Variations
You can serve this pasta dish as is and it tastes great. But you can also try these tips to make this meal even more fantastic…
- Swap the meatballs – use chicken, turkey or pork meatballs.
- Spice it up – add red pepper flakes, hot sauce, add some diced jalapeños, or use poblaño peppers.
- Add other seasonings – try tuscan, greek or oregano.
- Swap the pasta – add pasta like fusili, penne, tortellini etc to your taste.
- Swap the sweetener – try sugar or maple syrup.
- Add toppings – serve with shredded cheese, guacamole, sour cream, diced tomato, lime, fresh-made pico de gallo, Mexican rice, quinoa, black beans, or corn.
Prep And Storage
Crock pot Spaghetti and Meatballs is an ideal meal prep solution.
- Make Ahead – This crock pot recipe is so easy to make. You can get all your ingredients together for your Slow Cooker Spaghetti ahead of time so you’re prepped and ready to toss in the Slow Cooker later.
- Reheat- When ready to enjoy, take the bag out of the freezer the night before and place it in the refrigerator to thaw overnight.
- Store – Store leftover spaghetti and meatballs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
- Freeze – Follow the handy tips below on how to freeze this.
- Let the spaghetti sauce and ground beef meatballs cool down, then transfer into these very handy Ziploc freezer bags. I recommend putting in single serving sizes for easier reheating.
- Then, squeeze out all the extra air and seal the bags.
- Label the bags and then lay them flat in the freezer.
- Then, store in the freezer for 3 months.
- Meal Prep – You can easily double or triple this recipe to make extra pasta and meatballs for other meals or freeze the meal for later use.
FAQs
Yes, you can put spaghetti in the slow cooker guys. This is one of the best things about this recipe….you don’t have to precook the pasta on the stove and add it.
That’s right, simply put the dry pasta in the Crockpot with the rest of the ingredients. All you need to do is ensure your cooking liquid completely covers the pasta.
No, the pasta doesn’t turn out mushy, but it will most likely seem a little more tender than traditional pasta cooked on the stove.
You should check the texture of your pasta as it cooks to ensure you end up with pasta of your liking.
You should cook the pasta in the slow cooker on high for 30 minutes. Pasta can cook fast, so check the texture of your pasta frequently, especially if you like a more al dente pasta.
Yes, you can leave meatballs in the crockpot all day.
When cooking meatballs in a slow cooker, it’s common to cook them on low heat for several hours, typically 6-7 hours on low heat, to allow them to become tender and absorb the flavors of the sauce.
This long, slow cooking process ensures that the meatballs are fully cooked and flavorful by the time you’re ready to serve your meal. Follow the recommended cooking times and temperatures on our recipe to ensure that the meatballs are cooked thoroughly and safely.
Meatballs can fall apart in the crock pot if they lack binding ingredients like breadcrumbs and eggs, are overmixed, or use lean meat without enough fat for moisture. Ensuring uniform size, not overmixing, and following our recipe’s recommended cooking time can help prevent this issue.
Yes, you can cook spaghetti directly in the sauce in a crock pot.
In this Slow Cooker Spaghetti and Meatballs recipe, the spaghetti is added to the sauce in the slow cooker during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
The best meatballs for spaghetti are from Costco. They offer a popular brand of meatballs known as Kirkland meatballs. These frozen meatballs are well-regarded for their quality and convenience, making them my go-to choice on top of spaghetti.
Similar Recipes
Looking for more EASY, delicious, and flavorful recipes? I’ve got you covered. Check out my full collection of Crockpot recipes, or start a few of my most popular recipes:
- Crockpot Chicken Fajitas.
- Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken Pasta.
- Crockpot Breakfast Casserole.
- Slow Cooker Whole Chicken.
- Korean Slow Cooker Short Ribs.
- Crockpot Grape Jelly Meatballs.
- Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Casserole.
- Crockpot Spaghetti Casserole.
Serve Crock pot Spaghetti And Meatballs With:
- Frozen Garlic Bread In Air Fryer – Crusty garlic bread or breadsticks are great accompaniments for spaghetti and meatballs.
Recommended Tools
- Firstly, you will need an awesome slow cooker.
- Then, measuring cups and spoons to ensure precise measurements of ingredients for the perfect sauce and meatball mixture.
- Lastly, a mixing spatula to gently combine the ingredients, making sure the sauce is well-blended and the meatballs have a consistent texture.
- For the best tools to help make your recipe even easier and more successful, check out my collection of the Best Kitchen Tools on Amazon.
More Crock Pot Recipes
Here are more crockpot recipes that are absolutely delicious;
Weight Watchers Points
There are 12 Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving of this.
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Slow Cooker Spaghetti and Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 15- ounce (400g) can diced tomatoes (Add another for more sauce)
- 1 15- ounce (400g) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 ⅓ cup (300ml) beef broth
- 2 tbsp honey or to taste
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 2 tsp italian seasoning
- 1 tsp minced garlic optional
- ½ tsp onion powder optional
- salt to taste
- freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 lb (450g) meatballs
- 8 ounces (100g) spaghetti, broken in to two
- Optional toppings – herbs and Parmesan
Instructions
- Mix the tomatoes, beef broth, honey, balsamic vinegar, Italian seasoning, garlic and onion powder (if using), salt and pepper together in a 6qt Slow Cooker.
- Mix in the meatballs, close and cook for 3-4 hours on high or 6-7 hours on low heat.
- Mix in the spaghetti making sure it is submerged in the sauce and cover and cook for another 30 minutes on high or until the pasta is tender to your liking.
- Ladle into bowls and top with herbs and cheese before serving.
Recommended Products
Notes
- nsure the pasta is completely covered by the beef broth and other cooking liquid before cooking.
- When storing leftovers, put them in single-serving containers to make reheating easier.
- Then, if you like a thinner pasta sauce, you may want to add more broth to your crock pot Spaghetti and meatball sauce.
- Break the dry spaghetti into thirds so it fits inside the crockpot.
- Slow Cooker temperatures may vary depending on your make and model, check the internal temperatures of meatballs and tenderness of pasta before eating. You may find that your pasta dinner is ready in less time.
- Storage – Store leftover spaghetti and meatballs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
- There are 12 Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving of this.
This makes spaghetti and meatballs even easier!
you can’t go wrong with spaghetti and meatballs! I never thought of putting it in the slow cooker though! Great idea!
Love how simple this recipe is! Thanks for sharing!
The perfect recipe for an an Italian-themed dinner. And the fact that you can make it in a slow cooker makes it just perfect!
This was so easy to make right in the slow cooker and turned out amazing! The whole family enjoyed it.
Love this version of a family fave classic!