Crock pot Spaghetti Casserole Recipe (2024)

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Crock pot Spaghetti Casserole Recipe is the easiest one pot meal for an amazing dinner any day of the week. The crock pot does all the work and clean up is easy too.

Crock pot Spaghetti Casserole Recipe (1)

Crock Pot Spaghetti Casserole Recipe:

Spaghetti is always a hit and this super easy Crock Pot Spaghetti Casserole Recipe makes it even easier. The homemade sauce has the best flavor and the cheese is melted and delicious.

You literally toss it all in the slow cooker including the noodles. This is the best meal that is perfect for busy weeknights. Crockpot Spaghetti Casserole is loaded with flavor and is always a family favorite.

If you love this slow cooker recipe then your must try our Crock Pot Spaghetti Sauce with meat. If you love meatballs try our Crockpot Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe. No need for a ton of pots and pans when you can make pasta recipes in the slow cooker.

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Can you Cook Pasta in a Crockpot?

Yes and this makes this recipe so quick and easy. I love that you have less pans because of this. The pasta goes in the crockpot during the last 30 minutes and gets cooked to perfection!

Everything literally goes in the slow cooker making this one of the easiest one pot meals ever. You can even cook the pasta in the slow cooker.

This recipe really cuts down on multiple pans for the meat, the sauce and another to boil the noodles.None of that is necessary when you make this recipe.

Just one pot is needed. Talk about a win for Mom and a game changer for busy weeknights. Everyone will love this easy dish.

Crock pot Spaghetti Casserole Recipe (3)

Ingredients:

  • Lean Ground Beef
  • Yellow Onion, chopped
  • Minced Garlic
  • Crushed Tomatoes
  • Diced Tomatoes
  • Beef Broth
  • Italian Seasoning
  • Salt
  • Black Pepper
  • Dried Spaghetti Pasta,broken into thirds
  • Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
  • Fresh Parsley, for garnish
  • Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese, for garnish
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How to Make Spaghetti Casserole in Crock Pot:

  • Step 1 – Place ground beef (not browned) in the crock pot. Add in the onion, garlic, crushed tomatoes, and diced tomatoes. Then stir in Italian Seasoning, salt, and pepper and the beef broth.
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  • Step 2 – Cover and cook on low for 4 hours.
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  • Step 3 – Remove the lid and break apart the beef until it is crumbled.
  • Step 4 – Stir in the broken spaghetti pieces.
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  • Step 5 – Cover and turn to high.
  • Step 6 – Cook on high for 30 minutes or until pasta is soft.
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  • Step 7 – Spread the mozzarella cheese on top over pasta sauces. Cover and allow it to melt.
  • Step 8 – Serve with fresh parmesan and parsley on top.
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This is so easy and the perfect meal even when you are busy. Keep reading for the full recipe.

Easy One Pot Spaghetti Meal:

This is perfect for busy days of work, activities and more. I can easily prepare everything in my slow cooker before heading out the door.

I love that I can serve my family an amazing meal and not spend hours in the kitchen. Plus, clean up is so quick and easy since we are only cleaning the slow cooker.

This recipe combines all the tastiness of spaghetti but into one casserole dish. The cheese makes it even better. It’s so delicious.

What to Serve withCheesy Crockpot Spaghetti:

  • Roasted Broccoli – We like to serve this spaghetti with Easy Grilled Broccoli.Easy to make and pairs perfectly with crockpot spaghetti.
  • Garlic Cheese Sticks – Also, we loveGarlic Bread Cheese Sticks Recipe. These are perfect to dip in the yummy spaghetti sauce. You can get every last drop of that delicious sauce! Delicious and amazing combination.
  • Jalapeno Bread – If you like a little extra heat, tryJalapeno Popper Stuffed Cheesy Bread Recipe. It’s so cheesy and the jalapeno peppers make it really amazing. It’s so easy because it uses crescent rolls!
  • Salad – Serve with a big green salad or a side of vegetables.

Recipe Variations:

  • Extra Kick – We like to add in some extra spices for a little of kick to our sauce. Adding in some red pepper flakes to taste gives it that extra spice that we all love.
  • Extra Tomatoes – You can also use rotel or tomato sauce in this recipe. It’s such a great recipe and so versatile.
  • Change the Meat – Use Italian Sausage instead of Ground Beef or do half of each. You can also use ground turkey.
  • Cream Cheese – For a creamier sauce, mix in some cream cheese.
  • Mushrooms – You can add in some slice mushrooms if your prefer.
  • Vegetables – Green bell Peppers is also a great addition to this recipe.
  • Meatless – If you prefer you can make this recipe without the meat. We recommend adding in more vegetables.

Spaghetti Casserole Tips:

  • Cooking the Ground Beef – If you are using a higher fat beef, then brown it in a large skillet first. Then drain the fat and place it in the crock pot with the other ingredients.
  • Pasta – Spaghetti Noodles or Linguini work great in this recipe but you can also use penne or rigatoni.
  • Keep Warm – Once the spaghetti is finished cooking, you can keep warm in the slow cooker for up to 2 hours.
  • Instant PotYou can make this spaghetti recipe in the instant pot if you prefer. You will layer ingredients in the pressure cooker. Cook for about 10 minutes on high pressure. Cooking time may vary.
  • Bake Spaghetti Casserole – If you prefer you can bake this recipe if you prefer. Place the ingredients in a casserole dish and bake in a preheated oven at 375 degrees. Bake for 30 minutes.
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How to Store Leftover Slow Cooker Spaghetti Casserole:

Place leftovers in an air tight container and place in the refrigerator. If stored properly the spaghetti will last up to 4 days.

When you are ready to reheat, you can place in a microwave safe dish or place on the stove top.

Can you Freeze Spaghetti Casserole?

Yes, you can freeze spaghetti casserole. Place in the a freezer safe container for up to 4 months. If stored properly, this spaghetti casserole will freeze great. When you are ready to serve again, thaw overnight in the fridge.

This is the perfect casserole to double to recipe to have leftovers. I like to write what the meal and the date we store in the freezer. This keeps you organized and you don’t waste the meal.

Place in a casserole dish and reheat in the oven. We like to add extra cheese to make super cheesy.

Easy Crock Pot Spaghetti Casserole:

Italian is one of our favorite foods around here. However, the prep and clean up is often more than I have time for. It’s so nice having these lazy day recipes to make Italian food quick and easy.

Slow Cooker Spaghetti Casserole turns our favorite Italian meal into a favorite weeknight meal. Crockpot casseroles means fewer dishes to clean and more time together as a family. We love slow cooker dinner recipes.

We all are going in different directions with activities. But I am happy if we can all sit for a few minutes with the best comfort food.

Print Crock Pot Spaghetti Casserole Recipe below:

Crock pot Spaghetti Casserole Recipe (11)

Review

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Crock pot Spaghetti Casserole Recipe

4.90 from 67 votes

Crock pot Spaghetti Casserole Recipe is the best one pot meal for a great dinner any day of the week. Each bite is cheesy and yummy. Clean up is easy too.

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 4 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Total Time 4 hours hrs 40 minutes mins

Servings 9

Cuisine Italian

Course Main Course

Calories 562

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs ground beef lean (90/10)
  • 1/2 yellow onion chopped
  • 2 tablespoons minced garlic
  • 1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 15 oz can diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 16 oz dried spaghetti pasta broken into thirds
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • fresh parsley for garnish
  • freshly grated Parmesan cheese for garnish

Instructions

  • Place ground beef (not browned) in the crock pot with the onion, garlic, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, Italian Seasoning, salt, and pepper and the beef broth.

  • Cover and cook on low for 4 hours.

  • Remove the lid and break apart the beef until it is crumbled.

  • Stir in the broken spaghetti pieces.

  • Cover and turn to high.

  • Cook on high for 30 minutes or until pasta is soft.

  • Spread the mozzarella cheese on top. Cover and allow it to melt.

  • Serve wth fresh parmesan and parsley on top.

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

If you are using a higher fat beef, then brown it in a large skillet first and drain the fat. then place it in the crock pot with the other ingredients.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 562kcal, Carbohydrates 48g, Protein 32g, Fat 27g, Saturated Fat 11g, Cholesterol 91mg, Sodium 707mg, Potassium 781mg, Fiber 4g, Sugar 7g, Vitamin A 423IU, Vitamin C 13mg, Calcium 211mg, Iron 5mg

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More Easy Spaghetti Recipes:

  • Crock Pot Baked Pasta with Meatballs
  • Easy Baked Spaghetti Pie Recipe
  • Crock pot Parmesan Chicken Pasta
  • Homemade Spaghetti Sauce Recipe
Crock pot Spaghetti Casserole Recipe (12)

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About the Author

Crock pot Spaghetti Casserole Recipe (21)

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Eating on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. Together we are going to cook real food… for real families!

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Crock pot Spaghetti Casserole Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do you keep pasta from getting mushy in a crock pot? ›

If you've done this before, you might opt to add dry noodles to the slow cooker near the end of the sauce cook time. Give the sauce about 15-20 minutes, then add in your dry pasta. Allocating this amount of time will help you avoid mushy pasta.

Can you cook dry pasta in slow cooker? ›

Can You Put Dry Pasta in the Slow Cooker? Yes! One of the beauties of this recipe is that even the pasta noodles cook in the slow cooker. They are added to the slow cooker dry along with the rest of the ingredients, and cook in the tomato sauce liquid.

How do you thicken liquid in a crock pot? ›

Add a slurry at the end.

A slurry is a mixture of flour and water, whisked together until smooth and added towards the end of cooking; it's a super-simple way to thicken any soup. For slow cooker soups, add your slurry with at least 30 minutes of cook time left so that the raw flour can cook and thicken the soup.

How long does it take to cook pasta in a crockpot on high? ›

Cooking pasta in a slow cooker is not recommended because it can become mushy. If you do choose to cook pasta in a slow cooker, use a short, small pasta shape and add at least 6 cups of liquid for every 1 pound of pasta. Cook on high for about 3 hours, stirring occasionally.

Will spaghetti get mushy in crockpot? ›

Broth-based slow cooker dinners need their dry pasta added at just the right moment — add the pasta too early and your noodles will be mushy before they get to the table. Adding dry pasta 30 to 4o minutes before serving means you'll have perfectly cooked pasta in your soup.

Why did my noodles turn to mush in the crockpot? ›

Why did my noodles turn to mush in the crockpot? One of the most common reasons for mushy noodles is overcooking. Pasta, including noodles, has a relatively short cooking time compared to other ingredients typically prepared in a crockpot.

Can you cook dry spaghetti in sauce? ›

By skipping the separate boiling of the pasta and instead adding the dried noodles straight to the sauce, you can make a weeknight-friendly meal in just one pot. Bonus: It makes the pasta more flavorful, too.

How do you thicken pasta sauce in a slow cooker? ›

A cornstarch slurry is a mixture of a cold liquid with cornstarch. It is used as a thickening agent, and is particularly common in Asian sauces. As a rule of thumb, dissolve 2 parts cold water and 1 part cornstarch. Add the slurry to your sauce as it simmers in the slow cooker.

How long does dry pasta take to cook? ›

Most dried ribbons of pasta such as linguine, spaghetti and tagliatelle take between 8-10 mins. Shorter, thicker pasta shapes like bows or penne take 10-12mins and fresh pasta such as ravioli and tortellini will be done between 3-5mins.

Does taking the lid off a slow cooker thicken the sauce? ›

Take the lid off

Place the cooker on a high setting, and open the lid for 30-45 minutes to let excess moisture cook off. The liquid will reduce, leaving you with a thick and delicious gravy or sauce. (Tip: This trick can also be applied for thickening stews, or when you've accidentally added too much liquid.)

What happens if you put too much liquid in a slow cooker? ›

But adding too much liquid can dilute the flavors.

Chef Faisal al Deleigan told BI that it's also not good to add too much bland liquid to a slow cooker. "Using too much liquid can result in a dish that tastes under-seasoned or looks very pale and unappealing," he said.

Can you leave pasta in the slow cooker all day? ›

You can use slow cookers to make pasta as long as you don't mix the pasta in with the sauce and leave it sitting in the slow cooker for an extended period of time. Doing so will result in pasta that is mushy, soggy and unappetizing.

Do you cook pasta on high or low? ›

Fill a large saucepan with water and place over high heat. Be sure to use a big enough saucepan to allow the pasta plenty of room to cook properly.

Does pasta get more tender the longer you cook it? ›

Pasta that is soft and mushy is usually overcooked, while if it's crunchy and hard, this is a good indication that you haven't cooked it for long enough. Pasta cooked perfectly tends to be tender on the inside and a bit firm on the outside.

How do you keep pasta good in a Crock-Pot? ›

Use a Slow Cooker

Simply cook the pasta to your taste (or undercook it slightly if you're planning on leaving it in the slow cooker for hours in sauce), drain it, grease the inside of your Crock-Pot with olive oil or cooking spray and dump the pasta in.

How do you keep pasta from getting soggy after cooking? ›

How to Cook Pasta from Getting Mushy?
  1. You must use the right amount of water for pasta to cook evenly.
  2. Adding a fair amount of salt is a must for good pasta.
  3. Add a little bit of olive oil to the water in which you'll cook the pasta to keep it from sticking.
  4. Add pasta until water comes to a boil.
Jul 13, 2022

How do you make pasta less squishy? ›

  1. Make sure the ratio of water to pasta is enough. You can have too little water but you really can't have too much.
  2. Make sure the water is really boiling before adding the pasta.
  3. Begin stirring the pasta as soon as it's all in the water. ...
  4. Once the water is back to a boil, let it alone for a while.
Feb 25, 2016

How do you reverse mushy pasta? ›

Heat the olive oil in a skillet and add your overcooked pasta. Gently sauté over medium heat for a few minutes until the pasta's texture has firmed up. The whole process takes less than 10 minutes and you'll know it is done when the edges of the pasta have started to crisp and light browning has begun.

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