Crockpot Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe
This Crockpot Spaghetti and Meatballs recipe offers a convenient and hearty meal perfect for busy days. Combining frozen meatballs, marinara sauce, and uncooked spaghetti cooked all together in a slow cooker results in tender pasta and flavorful meatballs with minimal hands-on time, ideal for a comforting family dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs and Sauce
- 1 lb frozen meatballs
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
Pasta
- 8 oz uncooked spaghetti
- 2 cups water
Instructions
- Prepare the slow cooker: Place the frozen meatballs into the crockpot, then pour in the marinara sauce. Sprinkle the garlic powder and Italian seasoning evenly over the mixture to infuse flavor.
- Cook the meatballs and sauce: Cover the crockpot and set it to cook on the low setting for 3 to 4 hours. This slow cooking time allows the meatballs to cook through and the sauce to develop rich flavors.
- Add the spaghetti and water: After the initial cook time, add the uncooked spaghetti and 2 cups of water to the crockpot. Stir well to ensure the pasta is submerged and mixes with the sauce and meatballs.
- Cook until pasta is tender: Cover and continue cooking on low for an additional 30 to 40 minutes, or until the spaghetti is soft and fully cooked through. Stir occasionally if possible to prevent sticking.
- Serve: Once the pasta is tender, give the mixture a good stir to combine all ingredients. Serve hot for a comforting, easy family meal.
Notes
- Using frozen meatballs saves prep time and works perfectly with slow cooking.
- For thicker sauce, reduce the amount of water slightly or cook uncovered during the last 10 minutes.
- You can substitute spaghetti with other pasta shapes but adjust cooking times accordingly.
- Feel free to add vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms at the beginning for added nutrition.
- Stir occasionally during the final pasta cooking stage if possible to avoid pasta clumping or sticking to the sides.
Keywords: crockpot spaghetti, meatballs, slow cooker recipe, easy dinner, one-pot meal, comfort food, Italian-American dinner