Description

Rich, hearty, and wonderfully easy, this Crockpot Spaghetti is the ultimate hands-off comfort food! Perfectly cooked pasta, savory ground beef, and a flavorful tomato sauce all simmer together in your slow cooker, making dinner a breeze. It’s a cozy, family-friendly meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends.

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Ingredients

Scale

1 lb ground beef or ground turkey
1 small yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce (your favorite brand)
1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
2 cups beef broth or chicken broth
1 tsp Italian seasoning
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
8 oz uncooked spaghetti noodles, broken in half
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (optional)
¼ cup grated parmesan cheese (optional)
Fresh parsley or basil, chopped, for garnish

Optional Add-ins:

1 cup chopped bell peppers or mushrooms
½ tsp red pepper flakes for a little spice
1 tbsp tomato paste for richer sauce

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Instructions

Step 1: Brown the Meat
In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion until the beef is no longer pink.
Drain any excess grease.
Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 2: Build the Sauce in the Crockpot
Transfer the cooked beef, onion, and garlic mixture to the slow cooker.
Add marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, broth, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Stir everything together.

Step 3: Cook
Cover and cook on LOW for 4–5 hours or HIGH for 2–3 hours, allowing the flavors to meld.

Step 4: Add the Spaghetti
About 30 minutes before serving, stir the broken spaghetti noodles into the sauce.
Make sure the pasta is submerged in the sauce.
Cover and continue cooking on HIGH until the pasta is tender (about 20–30 minutes).

Step 5: Add Cheese & Finish
Sprinkle mozzarella and parmesan cheese over the spaghetti if using.
Cover and cook for another 5 minutes until the cheese is melted.

Step 6: Serve
Garnish with chopped parsley or basil.
Serve hot with garlic bread or a fresh salad.

Notes

Brown the Meat First – Adds depth of flavor and prevents greasy sauce.
Break Pasta in Half – Helps the spaghetti fit better and cook evenly.
Stir Well After Adding Pasta – Prevents the noodles from sticking together.
Watch the Pasta – Check for doneness around the 20-minute mark to avoid overcooked pasta.
Use Plenty of Sauce – Pasta absorbs liquid as it cooks.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 4–5 hours (slow cooker on LOW)
Cuisine: American / Italian-Inspired