• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
The Gracious Wife logo
  • Recipes
  • Family
    • Love & Marriage
    • Parenting
  • House & Home
    • Kitchen and Cooking Tips
    • Cleaning & Organization
    • Budget
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

Home » Recipes » Crockpot

Crock Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs

Jun 9, 2022 · 25 Comments

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Yummly
  • Mix
Jump to Recipe Jump to Video
Collage of crock pot spaghetti and meatballs with a bowl full of spaghetti and meatballs with a fork taking a bite on the top, a close up of the meatballs on the bottom, and the words "Crock pot spaghetti & meatballs" in the center

This Crock Pot Spaghetti and meatballs with tender homemade Italian seasoned meatballs, simple homemade sauce, and pasta cooked right in the slow cooker is the easiest way to cook this family favorite meal. It's a spaghetti night game changer!

Crock Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs in a slow cooker with fresh parsley on top

Crock Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs

Spaghetti and meatballs don't need to be a complicated dish! It can be so time consuming to make. But not these Crock Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs.

This ultimate family favorite dinner couldn't be easier to make or more delicious to eat. With homemade, tender Italian seasoned meatballs, cooked right in the slow cooker with a simple homemade sauce.

You don't even need to pre-cook the pasta! It will cook right in the crock pot for a perfectly saucy comfort food dinner.

Can I Put Uncooked Pasta in the Slow Cooker?

Absolutely! You may need to adjust the liquid content, which has already been done for this recipe.

You will also want to add it closer to the end than any meat that's cooking or the pasta will become too mushy. This recipe adds the pasta for the last 30 minutes, which is a little longer than the stovetop because your slow cooker is not actually boiling.

Crock Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs in a shallow bowl with a fork picking some spaghetti and a meatball with a slow cooker in the background

Can You Put Raw Hamburger in the Crock Pot?

Yes, you can cook raw ground beef in the slow cooker, just as you could could any other beef, pork, or chicken.

Can You Use a Different Sauce?

Sure! You can use a different sauce recipe if you'd like. You may need to add beef broth or water to it to be able to cook the pasta through with enough sauce left. The one in the recipe was designed with that thought in mind.

More Easy Slow Cooker Recipes You'll Love

  • Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff - creamy slow cooker dish with tender bits of beef, fresh mushrooms, and warm egg noodles in a creamy sauce.
  • Mississippi Pot Roast - the best roast you'll ever eat with just a few simple ingredients.
  • Slow Cooker Meatloaf - our family's classic favorite, tender meatloaf cooked in the slow cooker.
  • Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes - super easy classic ground beef simmers slowly in sauce and is served on a bun.
  • Crockpot Italian Beef Sandwiches - perfectly spiced Italian beef served on a roll with giardiniera and cheese.
Crock Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs in a shallow bowl with a fork picking some spaghetti and a meatball with a slow cooker in the background

Crock Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs

This Crock Pot Spaghetti and meatballs with tender homemade Italian seasoned meatballs, simple homemade sauce, and pasta cooked right in the slow cooker is the easiest way to cook this family favorite meal.!
5 from 19 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American, Italian
Keyword: Crock Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs, Crockpot Spaghetti and Meatballs, Slow Cooker Spaghetti and Meatballs
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours
Total Time: 8 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 423kcal
Author: Michelle

Ingredients

For the Meatballs

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • ½ pound ground Italian sausage (hot or mild depending on your taste)
  • ½ cup plain breadcrumbs
  • ¼ cup milk
  • ½ small sweet onion finely chopped
  • 1 large egg
  • 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan
  • 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

For the Sauce

  • 2 cans crushed tomatoes (28 ounces each)
  • 1 can diced tomatoes undrained (15 ounces)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 cup beef stock
  • ½ small sweet onion chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 1 tablespoon fresh chopped basil
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 8 ounces uncooked spaghetti noodles broken in half length-wise
  • Fresh chopped basil and grated Parmesan for garnish

Instructions

  • Combine all meatball ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Mix together using clean hands until all ingredients are incorporated.
  • Roll meat mixture into 1-inch balls. Place meatballs directly into the base of your slow cooker. Set aside.
  • In a separate large mixing bowl, add all sauce ingredients, except spaghetti. Stir to combine.
  • Pour sauce over meatballs.
  • Cover and cook on Low for 7-8 hours or High for 3-4 hours.
  • For the last 30 minutes before serving, add spaghetti and stir in. Cook for the remaining 30-40 minutes until pasta is tender.
  • Serve immediately topped with fresh chopped basil and grated Parmesan.

Video

Notes

  • This recipe makes about 24 meatballs.
  • For easier meatball molding, wet your hands while rolling into balls. This will prevent the meat mixture from sticking to them.
  • Don't cook the pasta longer than 40 minutes or it will end up too sticky.
  • If you want your spaghetti a little more saucy, you can add a little store bought sauce at the end.
  • Storage: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. 
  • Freezer Directions: Prepare and cook meatballs in sauce. Allow to cool. Place in a freezer safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight. In a large pot, bring sauce to a low boil. Add spaghetti and cook until tender.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 423kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 79mg | Sodium: 841mg | Potassium: 1191mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 757IU | Vitamin C: 28mg | Calcium: 171mg | Iron: 6mg
Did you make this recipe?I love seeing your creations. Snap a quick photo and mention @TheGraciousWife or tag #thegraciouswife on Instagram! Leave a STAR rating below!

UPDATE INFO: This recipe was originally published in October 2015. It was updated with new tips, video, and pictures in April 2021.

Never Miss a Thing!

Join our newsletter to get new recipes, tips, tricks, and tutorials every week!

Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription.

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

Powered by ConvertKit
« Tres Leches Cupcakes
Creamy Southern Coleslaw »
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Yummly
  • Mix

Beef, Crockpot, Dinner, Freezer Meals, Pasta, Recipes Crock Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe, Crockpot Recipe, Dinner Recipe, Pasta Recipe, Slow Cooker Recipe

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Biana says

    April 03, 2021 at 10:08 am

    We love spaghetti and meatballs. Such a simple and delicious dinner, that everyone will enjoy.

    Reply
  2. Laura says

    April 03, 2021 at 11:37 am

    This was so easy to make perfect for busy days. My family loved them

    Reply
  3. Andrea says

    April 03, 2021 at 12:51 pm

    I can only imagine how wonderful your house smells while this is cooking. It's the epitome of comfort in a bowl.

    Reply
  4. Sue says

    April 03, 2021 at 1:05 pm

    It's kind of amazing to think of making spaghetti and meatballs in a crockpot. I will be trying this for sure!

    Reply
  5. Beth says

    April 03, 2021 at 2:40 pm

    Oh wow! This is going to be a hit here! Looks so delicious and easy! This is going to be our favorite!

    Reply
  6. Jeannette says

    April 05, 2021 at 5:58 pm

    What a fantastic way to make an easy weeknight dinner! Love mixing it up with beef instead of pork and the Italian sausages are always a flavour winner 😀

    Reply
  7. Jamie says

    April 05, 2021 at 6:31 pm

    I love these meatballs! They're so juicy and flavorful and my family loved it. A great dinner that I'm sure to make again!

    Reply
  8. Beth says

    April 05, 2021 at 8:19 pm

    Such a yummy recipe and easy! I will definitely be making this again!

    Reply
  9. Marie-Charlotte Chatelain says

    April 05, 2021 at 9:05 pm

    this looks amazing! a simple and delicious dinner muy whole family would LOVE any day of the week

    Reply
  10. Ellen says

    May 02, 2021 at 9:12 pm

    I made this for a special Sunday night dinner. Very delicious and definitely making again!
    IMG_6162.jpg

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      May 03, 2021 at 2:14 pm

      Yum! So glad to hear you guys enjoyed it! 🙂

      Reply
  11. Bruce says

    July 11, 2021 at 7:45 am

    Are the crushed and diced tomatoes drained?

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      July 12, 2021 at 1:28 pm

      No, not drained.

      Reply
  12. Dave says

    March 10, 2022 at 5:16 am

    I've made this a couple times already. If your weighing the meatballs, weigh them out at 1 oz each. Uniformity!

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      March 10, 2022 at 11:11 am

      Great tip! Thanks!

      Reply
  13. Kelly DiBernardo says

    August 30, 2022 at 9:50 am

    We usually do a combo of meatballs and sausage links; do you think the cook time is appropriate to add sausage link pieces at the beginning with the meatballs?

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      August 31, 2022 at 2:50 pm

      I think that would work great! Sausage will make some more grease than lean ground beef, so you may want to skim the fat off the top before serving

      Reply
  14. Amanda Wren-Grimwood says

    September 01, 2022 at 10:07 am

    I've been looking for a new crock pot idea and this is it. I love how it can all go in without lots of precooking and such great flavours too.

    Reply
  15. Deb says

    September 01, 2022 at 10:23 am

    Made this using meatless meatballs. It worked out great.

    Reply
  16. Nancy says

    September 01, 2022 at 10:43 am

    Easy weeknight meals and everyone loves it

    Reply
  17. Nicole @ The Granola Diaries says

    September 11, 2022 at 3:50 pm

    Omg! I love that this actually found a way to incorporate meat balls and not just meat sauce. Saving this recipe!!

    Reply
  18. Janessa says

    September 11, 2022 at 4:12 pm

    Crockpot meals are the best! This sounds delicious- adding it to the meal plan for next week.

    Reply
  19. Neha says

    September 11, 2022 at 4:34 pm

    Oh this will make a great weeknight dinner for my family as we love meatballs! Thank you for sharing such an amazing recipe!

    Reply
  20. Gina Abernathy says

    September 11, 2022 at 4:40 pm

    Love the spaghetti and meatballs in the crockpot. One pot meals are awesome!

    Reply
  21. Jacqueline says

    September 11, 2022 at 4:41 pm

    What a great idea for midweek dinners. I am going to try this with veggie meatballs.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Picture of Michelle Medlin, The Gracious Wife

Hello! I'm Michelle!
I'm a comfort food lover and self-taught cook with five amazing kids and a firefighter husband, surviving mostly on coffee. I love to create easy and delicious family recipes, and share creative family tips I've learned along the way.
Welcome to The Gracious Wife!
MORE ABOUT ME>>

Spoon taking a bite out of curried carrot soup in a black matte bowl topped with a drizzle of cream, red pepper flakes, and fresh cilantro with a bunch of fresh cilantro and a linen napkin behind.

Curried Carrot Soup

Plate full of pan fried catfish next to lemon wedges next to a linen

Southern Pan Fried Catfish

A spoon taking a large scoop of turkey tetrazzini from a casserole dish

Turkey Tetrazzini

A red stuffed pepper topped with melted cheese and freshly chopped parsley with a bite taken out on a small white plate next to a fork.

Crock Pot Stuffed Peppers

Sloppy joe with a toasted bun sitting on a small plate in front of a Crock Pot

Crock Pot Sloppy Joes

Italian Beef Sandwich topped with provolone and giardiniera on a black plate with a second sandwich sitting behind.

Crock Pot Italian Beef Sandwiches

More Favorite Recipes

What's Trending Now:

  • A corner slice of chicken pot pie with golden crust on a small plate with a fork with a bite on it, on a rustic wood background with a striped linen The BEST Chicken Pot Pie
  • Biscuits stacked on a black matte plate on a white rustic wood background Southern Buttermilk Biscuits
  • Chicken Gnocchi Soup in a white bowl with a rustic wood background and breadsticks in a white and blue striped linen behind it. Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup
  • Egg salad sandwich cut diagonally with the halves stacked on top of each other on a plate on a rustic wood background. Classic Egg Salad
  • Homemade mayo in a mason jar with a butter knife scooping some out, with lemons and an immersion blender in the background Homemade Mayonnaise

Footer

  • About The Gracious Wife
  • Contact Us
  • Copyright Notice
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure

You can find me here too!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Disclosure

The Gracious Wife is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. All our thoughts and opinions are our own and we are not paid for or mandated to provide a positive review.

2022© The Medlin Group
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • About Us

Copyright © 2023 The Gracious Wife ·

1.4K shares
1.4K shares