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Crock-pot meals are among some of our FAVORITE dinners. Our go-tos, like this crockpot spaghetti, can be prepped in the morning for an easy dinner idea on busy nights!
Our classic spaghetti is already a hit, so we knew a crock pot version would be great too! It’s simple, delicious, and loved by the entire family. The sauce is baked low and slow all day, and is packed with flavor. Then we simply cook the pasta and serve. It’s that easy!
For even more spaghetti, try Spaghetti Pie, Baked Spaghetti, and even Chicken Spaghetti!
Why we think you’ll love it:
- Prepped in minutes. Just dump and go in the morning, and the crockpot does all of the work – one of our favorite family dinner ideas!
- Make a batch for later. This makes enough sauce for 2 pounds of pasta. Freeze the extra sauce, or make a double batch and freeze half for later – twice the meals with half the work!
- Simple ingredients. Many of the ingredients are pantry staples or things you have on hand for fabulous flavor and a perfect dinner for busy weeknights.
Crock Pot Spaghetti Ingredients and Substitutions
- 1 pound ground beef – Keep a few packages of cooked ground beef/sausage in the freezer to make this even easier! You can also use ground chicken or ground turkey.
- 1 pound bulk mild Italian sausage – Omit the addition of ground beef and Italian sausage and make an Italian Meatballs Recipe to use in the sauce.
- 1 (29-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can stewed tomatoes
- 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried basil – to use fresh herbs, triple the amount, and add during the last hour of cooking.
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon sugar – use granulated or brown sugar
- optional cheese – Sprinkle with parmesan cheese, pecorino romano, or mozzarella cheese.
How to Make Crockpot Spaghetti
- MEAT. Add ground beef and Italian sausage to a large skillet over medium heat.
- Cook, breaking up into small chunks, until browned and cooked through.
- Remove the meat from the skillet using a slotted spoon, and transfer to a crock pot.
- SAUCE. Add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, stewed tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, basil, oregano, and sugar to the crock pot and stir to combine.
- SLOW COOK. Cook on low heat for 8-10 hours. Pour the mixture over cooked spaghetti noodles. Garnish with fresh herbs. Serve with your favorite salad and a side of bread!
Kristyn’s Recipe Tips
- Substitute the canned tomatoes with 13 fresh tomatoes (about 9 pounds). Remove the skin, dice half, and chop the other half in a blender to resemble stewed tomatoes.
- We prefer spaghetti noodles with the crock pot spaghetti sauce, but any type of pasta can be used. Cook the pasta separately to avoid gummy noodles.
- This recipe is a great way to add hidden veggies like shredded carrots, mushrooms, or sautéed spinach.
- This makes quite a bit of sauce (enough for 2 16-ounce packages). We like to store half the sauce in the freezer to use another day.
Instant Pot Directions
- Use the sauté button to brown your meat. Drain excess oil.
- Add remaining ingredients. Plus ½ cup beef broth to ensure you have enough liquid to pressurize the pot.
- Do not mix the ingredients. Just add them one on top of the other without mixing.
- Lock on the lid, place the valve to seal, and cook on High pressure for 20 minutes.
- Natural release for about 15 minutes, then manual release the remaining pressure.
Crockpot Spaghetti Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound bulk mild Italian sausage
- 1 (29-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can stewed tomatoes
- 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon sugar
Instructions
- Add ground beef and Italian sausage to a large skillet over medium heat.
- Cook, breaking up into small chunks, until browned and cooked through. Remove the meat from the skillet using a slotted spoon, and transfer to a crock pot.
- Add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, stewed tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, basil, oregano, and sugar to the crock pot and stir to combine.
- Cook on low heat for 8-10 hours. Serve with cooked spaghetti noodles. Garnish with fresh herbs.
Video
Notes
- Substitute the canned tomatoes with 13 fresh tomatoes (about 9 pounds). Remove the skin, dice half, and chop the other half in a blender to resemble stewed tomatoes.
- We use spaghetti noodles with the slow cooker spaghetti sauce, but any type of pasta can be used.
- This recipe is a great way to add hidden veggies like shredded carrots, mushrooms, or sautéed spinach.
- This makes quite a bit of sauce. We like to store half the sauce in the freezer to use another day.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
Keep cooled crockpot spaghetti sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or in the freezer for 3-6 months.
Reheat large portions of leftovers in a crock pot or saucepan, or smaller portions in the microwave.
Complete The Meal
Sides
Olive Garden Breadsticks
2 hrs 27 mins
Caprese Kabobs
10 mins
Cheesy Garlic Bread
20 mins
Mozzarella Sticks
40 mins
Desserts
Italian Cookies
1 hr 20 mins
Homemade Cream Puffs
55 mins
Dirt Cake Parfaits
10 mins
Panna Cotta Recipe
4 hrs 10 mins
Spaghetti Recipes
Spaghetti Casserole
1 hr 5 mins
Spaghetti Pie
40 mins
Chili Spaghetti
2 hrs 15 mins
Kid-Friendly Spaghetti
50 mins
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This recipe was originally published May 2020.
Easy to make and who doesn’t love a delicious spaghetti sauce that you can throw in the crockpot and be ready by dinner time! Whole family loves this!
YUM – I’m always looking for a delicious recipe like this!
Love a crockpot recipe! Spaghetti is always such an easy and fulfilling meal in our house.
I have a pretty good crock pot recipe, but this one was delicious as well. The addition of the sausage really adds a delicious flavor.
I just loved being able to throw it all in the crock pot and not having to worry about it when things get crazy around dinner time.
We love this crock pot version! Spaghetti is my go-to..my family loves it!
I love any recipe that goes in the crockpot. Mostly because its convienent and dinner is waiting for me.it helps that my family loves spaghetti!