Description
This easy Crock Pot Spaghetti recipe is a convenient and delicious meal that requires just 15 minutes of prep time. Featuring frozen meatballs, spaghetti sauce, and noodles all cooked together in a slow cooker, it delivers tender, flavorful spaghetti without the hassle of boiling noodles separately. Perfect for a comforting family dinner with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce and Meatballs
- 32 ounces spaghetti sauce (1 jar)
- 24 ounces frozen meatballs (do not thaw)
- 3 cups water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Pasta and Herbs
- 1/2 package spaghetti noodles (8 oz.)
- 2 tablespoons freshly chopped herbs (basil, oregano, parsley) or 1 tablespoon dried herbs
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce Base: Pour the entire jar of spaghetti sauce into the bottom of the slow cooker and spread it evenly to create a flavorful base.
- Add Meatballs: Nestle the frozen meatballs directly into the spaghetti sauce. There is no need to thaw them first.
- Add Water: Pour 3 cups of water over the meatballs and sauce to provide enough liquid for the pasta to cook.
- Drizzle Olive Oil: Drizzle 2 tablespoons of olive oil over the surface of the water. This helps coat the noodles and prevents them from sticking together.
- Submerge Noodles: Add the spaghetti noodles, carefully pushing them underneath the liquid so they are completely submerged. The noodles will pass through the olive oil layer, which aids in preventing sticking.
- Add Herbs: Sprinkle the freshly chopped herbs evenly over the contents. You can substitute with 1 tablespoon of dried herbs if fresh are not available.
- Cook: Cover with the slow cooker lid and cook on LOW for 2 to 3 hours. Stir occasionally to keep noodles separated and ensure even cooking.
- Check Doneness: The spaghetti is ready when the noodles are al dente and most of the excess water has absorbed. If needed, switch the slow cooker to HIGH for an additional 15-20 minutes to help evaporate remaining water.
- Serve: Stir everything thoroughly and serve the spaghetti immediately while hot and fresh.
Notes
- This recipe is perfect for busy days as it requires only 15 minutes of prep; the slow cooker does all the cooking.
- Using frozen meatballs saves prep time and adds convenience without sacrificing flavor.
- Drizzling olive oil on top helps keep the spaghetti noodles from clumping together during cooking.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, reduce the water by 1/2 cup, but ensure noodles remain submerged.
- You can customize this dish by adding vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms to the slow cooker before cooking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 564 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 1179 mg
- Fat: 44 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 30 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 31 g
- Cholesterol: 122 mg
