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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.
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Meat and sauce being poured into crock pot.
Spices for crockpot spaghetti in slow cooker.
Meat for crockpot spaghetti in slow cooker.
Spaghetti sauce in crock pot.

How to Make Crockpot Spaghetti

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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

  1. Use the sauté button to brown your meat. Drain excess oil.
  2. Add remaining ingredients. Plus ½ cup beef broth to ensure you have enough liquid to pressurize the pot.
  3. Do not mix the ingredients. Just add them one on top of the other without mixing.
  4. Lock on the lid, place the valve to seal, and cook on High pressure for 20 minutes.
  5. Natural release for about 15 minutes, then manual release the remaining pressure.
5 from 8 votes

Crockpot Spaghetti Recipe

By: Kristyn Merkley
Crockpot spaghetti is prepped in minutes and cooked low-and-slow for an easy homemade dinner any night of the week!
Servings: 12
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 8 hours
Total: 8 hours 10 minutes

Equipment

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

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 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.
Store the sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days or in the freezer for 3-6 months.
Reheat large portions in a crock pot or saucepan and smaller portions in the microwave.

Nutrition

Calories: 234kcal, Carbohydrates: 2g, Protein: 12g, Fat: 19g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Cholesterol: 56mg, Sodium: 303mg, Potassium: 204mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 21mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Recipe FAQ

How to store?

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.

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This recipe was originally published May 2020.

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About Kristyn

Kristyn Merkley is a published cookbook author, wife, mom of six, and major food enthusiast! For the past 15 years, she has been sharing foolproof, family-friendly recipes—each one tested in her kitchen—that anyone can master. As a seasoned recipe creator, she loves making cooking simple, stress-free, and totally doable for everyone!

More About Kristyn

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5 from 8 votes (1 rating without comment)

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Recipe Rating




7 Comments

  1. Felicia says:

    5 stars
    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!

    Reply
  2. Melissa says:

    5 stars
    YUM – I’m always looking for a delicious recipe like this!

    Reply
  3. Julie Blanner says:

    5 stars
    Love a crockpot recipe! Spaghetti is always such an easy and fulfilling meal in our house.

    Reply
  4. Kristina says:

    5 stars
    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.

    Reply
  5. Stephanie says:

    5 stars
    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.

    Reply
  6. Joy says:

    5 stars
    We love this crock pot version! Spaghetti is my go-to..my family loves it!

    Reply
  7. Olivia says:

    5 stars
    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!

    Reply