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Crock-Pot Spaghetti

Crock-Pot Spaghetti

This Crock-Pot Spaghetti is the ultimate one-pot comfort meal — juicy homemade meatballs, tender pasta, and a rich tomato sauce all slow-cooked to perfection. Perfect for busy families or anyone craving a hearty, no-fuss Italian dinner!
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 6 hours 50 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 480
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Meatballs
  • 1 lb ground beef use lean beef for best texture or substitute with ground turkey
  • 0.25 cup bread crumbs helps keep meatballs soft
  • 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated adds savory depth
  • 0.25 cup fresh parsley, chopped for a pop of freshness
  • 1 large egg, beaten binds ingredients together
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 0.5 tsp crushed red pepper flakes for a gentle kick
For the Sauce
  • 2 cans (28 oz each) crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste for a rich texture
  • 0.5 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 pinch red pepper flakes optional, for heat
  • 1.5 cups low-sodium chicken broth keeps pasta tender
For the Pasta
  • 0.75 lb spaghetti break in half to fit slow cooker
For Garnish
  • grated Parmesan cheese
  • fresh parsley, chopped

Method
 

  1. Step 1: Make the Meatballs
    In a large bowl, combine ground beef, bread crumbs, Parmesan, parsley, egg, garlic, salt, and red pepper flakes. Gently mix until combined. Shape into 16 balls and place them at the bottom of your Crock-Pot.
  2. Step 2: Prepare the Sauce
    In another bowl, stir together crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, onion, oregano, garlic, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Pour the sauce over the meatballs. Cover and cook on High for 3 hours or Low for 5 hours.
  3. Step 3: Add the Pasta
    After the sauce and meatballs have cooked, stir in the chicken broth and add the spaghetti. Cook on Low for another 1½ hours, stirring every 30 minutes to prevent sticking.
  4. Step 4: Finish and Serve
    Once the pasta is tender, sprinkle with Parmesan and parsley. Serve warm with a green salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.

Notes

Don’t skip stirring the pasta to prevent clumping. Adjust spice level with extra red pepper flakes if desired. For a creamy variation, stir in a spoonful of ricotta or a splash of cream before serving. Use gluten-free pasta and breadcrumbs for a gluten-free version.