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Our crock pot spaghetti recipe is perfect for those nights when dinner needs to basically cook itself. No juggling multiple pots, no standing over the stove, and definitely no complicated steps.

Crock Pot Spaghetti (Easy Slow Cooker Dinner)

Crock Pot Spaghetti

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This is one of those back-pocket meals that saves busy weeknights. Everything goes right into the slow cooker, the flavors have time to mingle, and dinner is ready with minimal effort. It’s cozy, familiar, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser – especially when you’ve got hungry kids (or adults) waiting.

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Why You’ll Love This Crock Pot Spaghetti

One pot (hello, fewer dishes)
Perfect for busy afternoons or early evenings
Uses pantry-friendly ingredients
Feeds a crowd and reheats beautifully
Classic comfort food made easier

If you’ve ever wondered whether you can cook spaghetti in a slow cooker, the answer is yes, and it works surprisingly well when done the right way.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Lean ground beef or Italian sausage
Spaghetti, uncooked
Pasta sauce
Chicken broth or water
Dried Italian seasoning
Dried minced onion
Garlic powder
Salt & pepper, to taste

Important note: Use regular spaghetti noodles only. Thin spaghetti cooks too fast and turns mushy in the slow cooker.

Step by Step Directions

This spaghetti crock pot slow cooker method couldn’t be easier:

Brown the ground beef in a skillet and drain any excess grease.
Pour the pasta sauce into the bottom of your slow cooker, then add the cooked beef.
Pour in the broth or water and sprinkle the Italian seasoning, minced onion, garlic powder, salt, and pepper over the top.
Lay the spaghetti noodles on top, breaking them in half if needed to fit. Gently press them down until fully submerged in the liquid.
Cover and cook on low,stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and to check for doneness.

Once the noodles are tender and everything is well combined, it’s ready to serve.

Helpful Tips for Slow Cooker Spaghetti

Stir every 30–40 minutes if possible to keep noodles from clumping.
Cooking times vary slightly by slow cooker, start checking around the 1½-hour mark.
If it thickens too much, stir in a splash of broth or water.
Top with spaghetti seasoning for some extra flavor or red pepper flakes if you like a kick!
This slow cooker spaghetti pairs perfectly with garlic bread or a simple cucumber tomato salad.

More Delicious Spaghetti Recipes

How to Make Crock Pot Spaghetti

Crock Pot Spaghetti Recipe

Created by: April Woods

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 2

8 people

An easy crock pot spaghetti recipe made with simple pantry ingredients, cooked low and slow for a cozy, hands-off dinner the whole family will love.

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Ingredients

▢ 1 pound lean ground beef or Italian sausage
▢ 1 pound dry spaghetti
▢ 48 ounces pasta sauce
▢ 4 cups chicken broth (or water)
▢ 1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning
▢ 1 teaspoon dried minced onion
▢ 1 teaspoon garlic powder
▢ salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, then drain any grease.
Pour the pasta sauce into the bottom of the slow cooker, then add the ground beef.
Pour in the water, then sprinkle the seasonings on top.
Lay the spaghetti noodles on top (you may have to break them in half to get them to fit), then lightly press them down into the liquid until they are fully submerged.
Cover and cook on low for 1.5 to 2.5 hours, stirring occasionally to keep the noodles from sticking to each other and to check for doneness.

Notes

Calories are automatically generated. For best results calculate based on your exact ingredients.

Recipe Notes:

Use regular spaghetti noodles only — thin spaghetti will overcook and become mushy.
Stir occasionally during cooking to prevent noodles from sticking together.
Cooking time may vary by slow cooker; begin checking for doneness at 1½ hours.
If the pasta absorbs too much liquid, stir in a splash of broth or water before serving.
Ground beef can be substituted with Italian sausage or ground turkey if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 450kcal

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Other Awesome Crock Pot Dishes

Tools We Love

7 Quart Crock Pot Slow Cooker – I’ve had this slow cooker since my husband and I were married in 2003!
Wooden spatula – My wooden spatulas are my absolute favorite to stir with. I don’t know why, but I feel like a real cook when I use them.
Stainless Steel Tongs – I’m a huge fan of having a good sturdy set of stainless steel tongs for serving food. Or six. I actually have six. But let’s start with one. These tongs are affordable and work great.

Perfect for Busy Nights

This crock pot spaghetti recipe is one of those meals you’ll find yourself making again and again. It’s comforting, reliable, and requires just enough effort to feel homemade without the stress.

Whether you’re feeding a family, prepping for leftovers, or just need dinner to take care of itself, this is a recipe worth saving.