Description
This Easy Crock Pot Spaghetti Recipe combines the convenience of slow cooking with classic Italian flavors. Featuring frozen meatballs nestled in a rich spaghetti sauce, olive oil, and fragrant fresh herbs, this recipe requires just 15 minutes of prep time before the slow cooker does all the work. The pasta cooks perfectly alongside the sauce and meatballs, resulting in a comforting, hands-off meal ideal for busy days.
Ingredients
Scale
Spaghetti Sauce and Meatballs
- 32 ounces spaghetti sauce (1 jar)
- 24 ounces frozen meatballs (do not thaw)
Additional Ingredients
- 3 cups water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 package spaghetti noodles – 8 oz.
- 2 tablespoons freshly chopped herbs (basil, oregano, and parsley)
Instructions
- Prepare the Slow Cooker: Pour the entire jar of spaghetti sauce into the bottom of the slow cooker, spreading it evenly to create a flavorful base.
- Add Meatballs: Nestle the frozen meatballs into the spaghetti sauce; no need to thaw them beforehand.
- Add Water and Olive Oil: Pour 3 cups of water evenly over the meatballs and sauce. Then, drizzle 2 tablespoons of olive oil over the water to coat the surface, which helps prevent the noodles from sticking.
- Submerge Spaghetti Noodles: Carefully place the spaghetti noodles into the slow cooker, pushing them through the olive oil surface so they are fully submerged beneath the liquid.
- Add Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of freshly chopped basil, oregano, and parsley on top for added aroma and flavor. If desired, dried herbs can be used in place of fresh, reducing the quantity to about 1 tablespoon.
- Cook on Low: Cover with the slow cooker lid and cook on the LOW setting for 2 to 3 hours. Stir occasionally to make sure the noodles stay separated and submerged.
- Check Doneness: The spaghetti is done when the noodles are al dente and most of the excess water has been absorbed. To speed up water absorption, you may switch the slow cooker to HIGH for 15 to 20 minutes towards the end of cooking.
- Serve: Stir everything together thoroughly and serve the warm, hearty spaghetti and meatballs immediately.
Notes
- Crock Pot Spaghetti is a hands-off comfort food that cooks while you do other things, with only 15 minutes of prep needed.
- Be sure the spaghetti noodles are fully submerged to avoid drying or uneven cooking.
- Fresh herbs enhance the flavor, but dried herbs can be substituted if preferred.
- Stir occasionally during cooking to prevent noodles from sticking together.
- Using frozen meatballs saves time and blends flavors well as they cook in the sauce.
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
