Easy Crockpot Spaghetti and Meatballs: A One-Pot Comfort Meal

Who doesn’t love a classic plate of spaghetti and meatballs? Now, imagine making it even easier by cooking everything in your crockpot.

This Crockpot Spaghetti and Meatballs recipe is a game changer for busy weeknights or lazy weekends when you want a hearty, comforting meal with minimal effort.

The meatballs are tender, the spaghetti perfectly cooked, and the rich tomato sauce infuses every bite with flavor—all in one pot!

With just a little prep, you can let your slow cooker do all the work while you focus on other things. This recipe is perfect for family dinners, meal prepping, or feeding a crowd.

Ingredients:

For the meatballs:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 large egg
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper

For the sauce and pasta:

• 24 oz marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
• 2 cups beef or chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 12 oz uncooked spaghetti (break in half to fit in the crockpot)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Fresh basil and grated Parmesan for serving (optional)

Instructions:

1. Make the Meatballs: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, milk, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined. Form into 1-inch meatballs and set aside.
2. Prepare the Crockpot: Grease the inside of your crockpot with a little olive oil to prevent sticking.
3. Layer the Ingredients: Pour the marinara sauce and diced tomatoes into the bottom of the crockpot. Stir in the Italian seasoning. Place the meatballs in a single layer on top of the sauce.
4. Cook the Meatballs: Cover the crockpot and cook on low heat for 3-4 hours, or on high heat for 2 hours, until the meatballs are cooked through.
5. Add the Spaghetti: Once the meatballs are cooked, gently stir the sauce and add the uncooked spaghetti. Break the pasta in half to fit, and push it down into the sauce. Add the broth and olive oil, making sure the spaghetti is covered in liquid.
6. Cook the Spaghetti: Cover and cook for an additional 30-40 minutes on high heat, stirring occasionally to prevent the spaghetti from sticking together, until the pasta is tender and cooked through.
7. Serve: Once the spaghetti is cooked, stir everything together gently and serve warm. Top with fresh basil, grated Parmesan, and a drizzle of olive oil, if desired.

Notes:

• This recipe serves 4-6 people, making it ideal for family dinners or a casual get-together.
• You can use store-bought meatballs to save time, or even try turkey or chicken meatballs for a lighter option.
• Be sure to check and stir the pasta frequently during the last 30 minutes to ensure it cooks evenly.

Yield: 5

Crockpot Spaghetti and Meatballs

Print

Who doesn’t love a classic plate of spaghetti and meatballs? Now, imagine making it even easier by cooking everything in your crockpot.

This Crockpot Spaghetti and Meatballs recipe is a game changer for busy weeknights or lazy weekends when you want a hearty, comforting meal with minimal effort.

The meatballs are tender, the spaghetti perfectly cooked, and the rich tomato sauce infuses every bite with flavor—all in one pot!

Prep Time 30 minutes

Cook Time 3 hours 30 minutes

Total Time 4 hours

Ingredients

• Meatballs:
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 large egg
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• Sauce:
• 24 oz marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
• 2 cups beef or chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 12 oz uncooked spaghetti (break in half to fit in the crockpot)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Fresh basil and grated Parmesan for serving (optional)

Instructions

1. Make the Meatballs: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, milk, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined. Form into 1-inch meatballs and set aside.
2. Prepare the Crockpot: Grease the inside of your crockpot with a little olive oil to prevent sticking.
3. Layer the Ingredients: Pour the marinara sauce and diced tomatoes into the bottom of the crockpot. Stir in the Italian seasoning. Place the meatballs in a single layer on top of the sauce.
4. Cook the Meatballs: Cover the crockpot and cook on low heat for 3-4 hours, or on high heat for 2 hours, until the meatballs are cooked through.
5. Add the Spaghetti: Once the meatballs are cooked, gently stir the sauce and add the uncooked spaghetti. Break the pasta in half to fit, and push it down into the sauce. Add the broth and olive oil, making sure the spaghetti is covered in liquid.
6. Cook the Spaghetti: Cover and cook for an additional 30-40 minutes on high heat, stirring occasionally to prevent the spaghetti from sticking together, until the pasta is tender and cooked through.
7. Serve: Once the spaghetti is cooked, stir everything together gently and serve warm. Top with fresh basil, grated Parmesan, and a drizzle of olive oil, if desired.

Notes

• This recipe serves 4-6 people, making it ideal for family dinners or a casual get-together.
• You can use store-bought meatballs to save time, or even try turkey or chicken meatballs for a lighter option.
• Be sure to check and stir the pasta frequently during the last 30 minutes to ensure it cooks evenly.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  Reynolds Kitchens Slow Cooker Liners, Regular (Fits 3-8 Quarts), 20 Count

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

7

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 666Total Fat: 29gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 148mgSodium: 1019mgCarbohydrates: 52gFiber: 4gSugar: 8gProtein: 46g

Wrapping Up Crockpot Spaghetti and Meatballs

This Crockpot Spaghetti and Meatballs is the ultimate one-pot meal that brings together the flavors of tender meatballs, perfectly cooked spaghetti, and rich tomato sauce, all with minimal effort.

It serves 4-6 people, making it perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or when you’re feeding a crowd.

The beauty of this dish is that everything cooks right in the crockpot, from the homemade meatballs to the spaghetti itself.

There’s no need to boil water or dirty extra pans—just set it and forget it! Serve it with fresh basil and Parmesan for a truly comforting meal that’s easy to make and guaranteed to please.