Slow cooker spaghetti and meatballs is an easy, comforting crockpot dinner that delivers consistent results when you follow one simple technique: layering. Made with frozen meatballs, jarred sauce, and spaghetti noodles cooked directly in the slow cooker, this recipe creates tender meatballs and perfectly cooked pasta every time. If you enjoy slow cooker dinners, you might also like Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings.
I have been making spaghetti and meatballs in the slow cooker for years, but with mixed results. It wasn't consistent enough to put it on the blog until now, when I learned the tricks for making this dish successful time after time. Here is how to make slow cooker spaghetti and meatballs!
Why You Will Love This Slow Cooker Spaghetti and Meatballs
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Easy crockpot dinner with minimal prep
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Consistent results using a simple layering method
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Uses frozen meatballs for convenience
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Cooks pasta directly in the slow cooker
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Family-friendly comfort food
The Secret to Perfect Slow Cooker Spaghetti and Meatballs
You might want me to tell you the secret to making slow cooker spaghetti and meatballs right away. I can understand that. However, it was years of practice and a lot of research to learn that the secret is...
The secret to successful slow cooker spaghetti and meatballs is all about proper layering.
Let's talk about something else. Meatballs. Meatballs are not a standard size, so you will have to determine the size of the meatball to be sure that you have a large enough slow cooker to use them all. For some brands, I can use 20 meatballs; for others, 40. If you use homemade meatballs, that could be like 3 or 4, depending on the size! Whatever the case, be sure to use frozen meatballs, even if they are homemade.
So about the sauce. Use a good one. You will want to use a sauce that is a bit thicker since we add water to the slow cooker to help cook the noodles. Speaking of noodles, some recipes suggest breaking up spaghetti, but I don't. Sometimes they break when I push them (gently) under the sauce, but I don't snap them into thirds. I like my spaghetti noodles to be long.
Check out all the slow cooker recipes below. I am so excited to give these a try. Oh, and come back on Wednesday to learn the secrets of cooking salmon in a slow cooker. It's riveting.
- Slow Cooker Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta from Cheese Curd In Paradise
- Slow Cooker Baked Potatoes from Jen Around the World
- Slow Cooker Rajmafrom Magical Ingredients
- Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos from Kathryn's Kitchen Blog
- Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes from Blogghetti
- Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwich with Au Jus from The Spiffy Cookie
- Cream Cheese and Potato Chowder from Palatable Pastime
- Terriyaki Ribs from A Day in the Life on the Farm
- Olive Garden Crock Pot Chicken from The Fresh Cooky
- Slow Cooker Italian Sunday Gravy from Karen's Kitchen Stories
- Crockpot Cheddar Broccoli Soup from Life Love and Good Food
- Easy Crock Pot Breakfast Casserole from Devour Dinner
- Dutch Oven or Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs from Art of Natural Living
- Slow Cooker Spaghetti from Our Good Life
Welcome to our #NationalSlowCookerMonth Celebration!
January is National Slow Cooker Month and this week we are celebrating all things slow cooker! We have delicious recipes from across the country to fill your meal plans with delicious slow cooker recipes!
I'm intrigued by the pasta recipes being shared today. Thanks Terri.
ReplyDeleteAnother winner-winner, spaghetti and meatballs (all in one pot) for dinner! So many great tips Terri, thank you!
ReplyDeleteI've never made spaghetti in the slow cooker. The sauce and meatballs, yes but never added the noodles. How easy is this! What brand of sauce do you recommend?
ReplyDeleteWe love the brand at Aldi's. When we splurge, we use a sauce from The Hill in Saint Louis, close to where we live. It is an Italian area of the city.
DeleteI haven't ever tried this in the slow cooker. I need to! I am sure we'd enjoy it since we're big on pasta.
ReplyDeleteWe're always making spaghetti and meatballs! It's a favourite in our house. Haven't tried in a slow cooker yet though. Next time we will!
ReplyDeleteWe loved this and I esp love how easy it is in the slowcooker
ReplyDeleteWell isn't that easy! Love this!
ReplyDeleteI hardly use my slow cooker so thanks for the great recipes, I am now inspired to use it more!
ReplyDeleteI love how easy this is to make> I will be trying this recipe.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the great recipes, I am now motivated to use my slow cooker!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your secret trick! I'll be making this recipe often :)
ReplyDeleteI love how easy this recipe is to make, looking forward making this for my family.
ReplyDeleteI love that the pasta cooks right in the sauce! This looks so yummy!
ReplyDeleteI would love to make this for a date night with my boyfriend. it goes well with red wine
ReplyDeleteI love making spaghetti and meatballs but its my first time to so it in a slow cooker. I am so excited to make this
ReplyDeleteWow I had no idea you could make slow cooker spaghetti and meatballs! I use my slow cooker a lot so I'll have to try this.
ReplyDeleteWhat an easy way to make spaghetti! Looks so good!
ReplyDeleteThis looks amazing. Spaghetti and meatballs is one of my favorites. I'll have to try this out. I love using the slow cooker.
ReplyDeleteWow! That looks absolutely delicious and tasty! I would really love to try this recipe!
ReplyDeleteI had no idea you could make spaghetti and meatballs in a slow cooker like this. it looks amazing. I want a bowl right now.
ReplyDeleteThis is one of our favorite meals and it's even more delicious in the slow cooker. I'll be adding this to my rotation from now on and I can't wait :) Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI should make this next time we have guests. What a great comfort meal and so convenient as well.
ReplyDeleteI haven't tried using my slow cooker in preparing spaghetti. I must try this. Yum! -LYNNDEE
ReplyDeleteThis slow cooker Spaghetti and meatballs looks delicious. I would love to try it.
ReplyDeleteThis is the most comforting meal the whole family would agree! Delicious slow cooker recipe!
ReplyDeleteThis looks so mouth-watering! 😍 I don't have a slow cooker now, but will try your recipe someday for sure! :)
ReplyDeleteEverything Enchanting ❤️
These meetballas are looking so delicious
ReplyDeleteI am loving that this is made right in the crock post ;) Looks absolutely delicious & convenient!
ReplyDeleteI have never tried spaghetti and meatballs in my crockpot! I am going to give it a try this weekend, looks too easy not to try it.
ReplyDeleteThis Slow Cooker Spaghetti and Meatballs recipe is a game-changer! I love how you’ve turned a classic dish into an easy, hands-off meal that’s perfect for busy days. The idea of letting the flavors simmer together all day in the slow cooker is brilliant—it must taste incredible! This is definitely going on my list for a cozy, comforting dinner. Thanks for sharing such a delicious and convenient recipe!
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