Slow-Cooker Spaghetti and Meatballs
Mains | 30 Minutes or Less, Budget-minded, Kid Friendly, Slow Cooking | Beef, Pasta & Grains
SERVES 6 - START TO FINISH: 7 to 8 hours in a slow cooker
Cooking Notes
Any style of tomato-based (marinara style) spaghetti sauce works. Jar sizes can vary slightly by brand, but this is okay.
Spaghetti noodles can be cooked ahead, drained, tossed with a little olive oil, and refrigerated. Reheat in microwave to serve.
Refrigerate leftover sauce in airtight container for up to 3 days. Microwave to reheat.
Slow-Cooker Spaghetti and Meatballs
1 jar (26 ounces) spaghetti sauce*
1 can (14 1/2 ounces) diced or stewed tomatoes
1 cup chopped onion
1 tablespoon bottled minced garlic
1 1/2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
24 plain or Italian-style frozen meatballs, about 3/4 pound
12 ounces spaghetti or pasta of choice*
Parmesan cheese, for serving, optional
- Pour spaghetti sauce and tomatoes with juice into a slow cooker. Peel and coarsely chop onion, and add to sauce. Stir in garlic and Italian seasoning. Add still-frozen meatballs. Stir well, making sure all meatballs are covered with sauce. Cover cooker pot and turn on low heat. Cook 7 to 8 hours.
- Just before serving, cook spaghetti according to package directions. (See Tips.) Serve sauce and meatballs over spaghetti. Sprinkle with Parmesan, if desired.
Slow-Cooker Spaghetti and Meatballs
To serve any time, just cook the spaghetti ahead, drain, toss with a little oil, and then refrigerate. Even most non-cooks can microwave a plate of pasta. They’ll just be thrilled to have a wonderfully warm dinner – and so will you.
Slow-Cooker Spaghetti and Meatballs
Feel Good About: Tomatoes are a great source of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant. Sub out turkey meatballs and whole-wheat pasta for an even healthier dish.
Approximate Values Per Serving: 478 calories (26% from fat), 14 g fat (4 g saturated), 47 mg cholesterol, 22 g protein, 70 g carbohydrates, 14 g dietary fiber, 716 mg sodium
Comments
From Beverly Mills - March 16, 2010
Here's an exotic yet easy recipe that will definitely not bore you or your guests! Here's the link to the recipe here on Kitchen Scoop: http://kitchenscoop.com/recipes/moroccan-meatballs-couscous/ You can serve them with our without couscous. Although the recipe is written as a main dish, you can serve it as a snack or appetizer. Hope this helps!
From Dola Howla - April 19, 2011
Yum! Delicious recipe! Thanks a lot 
From Marjorie Donovan - June 17, 2011
This is a great recipe. You posted it a few years ago in your newspaper column but I could not find it online at the time. It's great to see it on here. I will be making it this weekend as my daughter has sports all weekend & we won't be home to cook. thanks for posting it!
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From Alex - March 15, 2010
I have a family reunion coming up and would like to make something with frozen precooked meatballs. I do not want a spaghetti recipe and I am getting tired of the appetizer recipes that call for Grape Jelly and Chili Sauce or Ketchup. Are there any other easy ways to fix meatballs in a slow cooker. Thanks in advance.