What people are saying about this recipe
“This was SO delicious! My whole family loved it. I did make a small adjustment because all slow cookers heat up somewhat instantly and other things. I reduced the heat to low after two hours and added the third helping of sauce. I’ve been eating it with my son all day for leftovers, and I think the second day would be even better than the first. Thank you for sharing this recipe”.
- Italian sausage – Could also use ground beef or turkey. You can even use frozen meatballs in place of the ground meat.
- Seasonings: A dash of pepper, salt, and garlic salt will intensify the flavor. You could also add a little Italian Seasoning.
- Pasta sauce: To make it quickly and simply, use your preferred jarred pasta sauce. You can also use a homemade sauce if you prefer.
- Regular spaghetti noodles are used to test the cooking time for these noodles. Keep in mind that it will cook faster if you use an angel hair!
- Cheeses: The creamy sauce and delicious dish are created by combining Parmesan and cream cheese.
- Water will also work in a pinch, but chicken broth is a must because the spaghetti will absorb it. We use low sodium chicken broth to lower the sodium.
- To make the sauce, brown the sausage and season it with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Drain and set aside.
- Add to Crock Pot: Cover the bottom of the crockpot with one jar of sauce. Place spaghetti noodles on top of sauce. Layer the sausage on top of noodles. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Cut the cream cheese into small pieces and sprinkle it over the Parmesan cheese. Top with another jar of sauce.
- Cook: For three hours, cook on high with a covered crock pot. After three hours, mix the spaghetti mixture and add the last jar of chicken broth and pasta sauce to the crock pot. Replace lid and cook on low for one additional hour.
Keep in mind that each slow cooker has a unique cooking temperature and method. It’s important that you know your crock pot. Watch your pasta, stirring it in frequently and testing it to determine when it’s done. Overcooked pasta gets gummy, mushy and isn’t ideal!.
Yes, it’s a fantastic way to prepare a large meal for a group of people. We especially enjoy slow cooker spaghetti. However, it should be noted that this pasta is a little softer than regular spaghetti, which is cooked until it’s al dente but not mushy.
Making crockpot spaghetti only takes four hours from start to finish!
Using a dry dishtowel or multiple paper towels with the edges hanging over, cover the slow cooker and cover it with the lid. That’s a really quick and simple trick that works for all crock pot recipes! This will soak up that extra moisture. When taking it out, make sure to hold onto the lids and the towels to prevent it from falling into your food.
If you intend to prepare the spaghetti on the stove separately, simply omit the broth and noodles from the crock-pot recipe and cook it according to the directions for 3 hours on high or 6 hours on low, or until the meatballs are thoroughly cooked. To add another layer of umami, we cook the pasta in chicken broth, but you could also use water—just remember to salt it first!
You can still make the sauce and meatballs in the slow cooker if you don’t want to cook the spaghetti in the crock-pot. One of the best ways to achieve a flavorful sauce and soft meatballs without having to worry about simmering and stirring constantly on the stove is to let the sauce cook slowly all day.
Why you’ll love Crock Pot Spaghtti!
- I love that this spaghetti has Italian sausage to give it a little extra spiciness, but you can always substitute ground beef or regular sausage if the kick is too much, especially for small children!
- That sauce is incredibly rich and creamy because of the cream cheese addition. It really takes it up a notch!.
- When kids are in and out and unable to sit down for a meal at once, this works well. When they have time, they can simply take a portion and enjoy dinner!
