Crock Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs is an all-in-one meal! Perfect for a buffet-style meal or potluck! So easy and only a handful of ingredients!
EASY CROCK POT SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS
For the longest time, I have been trying to figure out the best way to make spaghetti in a slow cooker. It took me a few tries and some were successful and others, not so much. It's all about layering it the right way and making sure the noodles don't come out in one big clump. The end results turned out delicious!
TIPS FOR MAKING CROCK POT SPAGHETTI:
- Some older models of slow cookers cook slower than the newer models. Also, some slow cookers have metal inserts and some have ceramic. All of this affects cooking time. In general, a metal insert will cook a bit faster than a ceramic. So adjust your time accordingly.
- Frozen Meatballs don’t all seem to come in standard size packaging. In addition, frozen meatballs can be on the larger size or smaller size. So, I use an amount of meatballs for reference. If the meatballs are fairly small, you’ll want to use about 40 meatballs. If they are larger meatballs, you’ll use about half that amount.
- I have not tried this recipe with homemade fresh meatballs. I’m not sure if it would work because they may fall apart during cooking or may produce too much grease as they cook. If you try it out, please let me know how it turns out for you!
- Want to make this in your Instant Pot? Try my INSTANT POT SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS recipe!
INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (FULL RECIPE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST)
spaghetti sauce
frozen meatballs
water
Italian seasoning
minced garlic
dried basil
spaghetti noodles
olive oil
HOW TO MAKE CROCK POT SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS:
In a 6 quart oval slow cooker, pour in half the jarred spaghetti sauce. Layer the frozen meatballs in a single layer on top of spaghetti sauce.
Pour the rest of the spaghetti sauce evenly over the meatballs.
Then pour in 4 cups of water. Sprinkle minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and basil on top. No need to stir.
Finally, layer the spaghetti noodles on top. It's okay if they look scattered at the moment. This will help in the next step.
Evenly drizzle the the top of the noodles with 2-3 tbsp olive oil to coat.
Then, gently push down the spaghetti noodles until they are under the water (breaking them as necessary to fit.) Try to make sure each noodle is coated in the sauce. This will help to keep the noodles from sticking together while cooking.
Cover and cook on low for about 2.5 hours (until noodles are soft and meatballs are heated through). About halfway through, gently stir the noodles with a pasta fork to make sure none of the noodles are sticking together. 
Spaghetti is ready when the noodles are al dente and most of the liquid has been absorbed by the pasta.
CRAVING MORE RECIPES GIVE THESE A TRY!
CROCK POT SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS
Ingredients
- 1 (24 oz) jar spaghetti sauce
- 1 (20 oz) bag frozen meatballs (24 count for larger meatballs and 40 count for smaller meatballs)
- 4 cups water
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp dried basil
- ½ (16 oz) box spaghetti noodles
- 2-3 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- In a 6-quart oval slow cooker, pour in half the jarred spaghetti sauce and do your best to spread it around evenly.
- Layer the frozen meatballs in a single layer (as best as possible) on top of spaghetti sauce.
- Pour the rest of the spaghetti sauce over the meatballs.
- Then pour in 4 cups of water.
- Sprinkle minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and basil on top. No need to stir.
- Finally, layer the spaghetti noodles on top and evenly drizzle the spaghetti noodles with 2-3 tbsp olive oil to lightly coat.
- Then, gently push down the spaghetti noodles until they are under the water (breaking them if necessary to fit.)
- Try to make sure each noodle is coated in the sauce. This will help to keep the noodles from sticking together while cooking.
- Cover and cook on low for about 2.5 hours (until noodles are soft and meatballs are heated through).
- About halfway through, gently stir the noodles with a pasta fork to make sure none of the noodles are sticking together.
- Spaghetti is ready when the noodles are al dente and most of the liquid has been absorbed by the pasta.
Video
Notes
- Some older models of slow cookers cook slower than the newer models. Also, some slow cookers have metal inserts and some have ceramic. All of this affects cooking time. In general, a metal insert will cook a bit faster than a ceramic. So adjust your time accordingly.
- Frozen Meatballs don’t all seem to come in standard size packaging. In addition, frozen meatballs can be on the larger size or smaller size. So, I use an amount of meatballs for reference. If the meatballs are fairly small, you’ll want to use about 40 meatballs. If they are larger meatballs, you’ll use about half that amount.
- I have not tried this recipe with homemade fresh meatballs. I’m not sure if it would work because they may fall apart during cooking or may produce too much grease as they cook. If you try it out, please let me know how it turns out for you!
- Want to make this in your Instant Pot? Try my INSTANT POT SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS recipe!
Nutrition
Originally published: May 2015
Updated & Republished: February 2021
Would I set my crockpot to high or low for 5 hours? I do not have a digital one, just a regular crockpot. Thanks! Looks delicious!
Hi there,
I don't have a digital croc pot either. I set mine on high for 2 hours and then turned it to low for 1 hour. It was done in 3 hours give or take. I kept checking Maine periodically. If you are going to be away from home and can't check it. I would personally set it on low to cook for 5 hours. But that is me. Hope this helps.
Don’t cook it on low for five hours. I cooked it for four hours on low, and the noodles were too mushy. I suggest just cooking the meatballs in the sauce with the other ingredients (except for the water and noodles) for 4-5 hours on low. Then cook the noodles as directed and spoon the meatballs and sauce on top.
this really does look delicious. i have the same question as Kathleen; is it on high or low for a regular crock pot/slow cooker?
Whether you have a digital or regular slow cooker, it will be low on 5 hours. 🙂 Hope you love it!
I just got a Ninja but haven't used it yet. It's still in the box. Do you have any favorite recipes for it? Can pretty much any slow cooker recipe be cooked in it?
This looks great! I will be trying this one soon.
What a yummy looking dinner - I will have to try that!
I was reading your recipe, plus I've also seen the Ninja cooker on QVC. My question is this - when adding 4 cups of liquid to the Ninja or crock pot, does it not water the sauce down? If not, how does is not water it down? I know it would thicken it, but I'm not sure.
I can answer your question if no one was the heat evaporation and the the noodles are absorbing water also. 5 hours time you loose a lots of moisture that's why she says you may need to add even more before serving. I hope this answers your question.
My good friend Marybeth makes this with Prego and frozen meatballs and also adds Johnsonville Hot Italian Sausage and just a little salsa. The first time I had it, I thought she had handmade everything. It is sooo good.
It doesn't get watered down. It just gets absorbed by the pasta. 🙂 I love the idea of adding the Italian sausage. Yum!
Why does the recipe say to cook for two hours but everyone is commenting 5?
I love my Ninja cooker!! This sounds so good!! Do you like the Pampered Chef Italian Seasoning Mix better than what you can get in the grocery store? Pinned it!!
this recipe is delicious, thanks for sharing. I'm always looking for new recipes to try 🙂
Simon
I am definitely trying this recipe. It looks really good.
How long would you cook it if you were to put it on a high setting?
So I made this the other night AND the sauce itself was incredible! The noodles, not so much. I used thin spaghetti noodles and they were really mooshie. The recipe doesn't specify what size noodles to use. Should I be using thick noodles?
Ursula
Ursula - Sounds like maybe you used angel hair pasta. The package the pasta comes in should say "spaghetti" this is a standard sized noodle. Also, watch for spaghettini which is similar however much more thin.
Can you use any type of pasta?
If I need to shorten the cooking time down to 4 hours, would you suggest cooking for 1 hour on high and 3 hours on low? (I am a bit inexperienced with crock pots).
Hey there Jennifer, you could certainly do that to make sure the meatballs cook all the way through. Hope that helps.
Try egg noodles and shredded cheese
Looks delicious! How many servings does this make? I need to feed 7 people.
I have the same question as Brandy. Do we need to check the noodle box/bag? Would it change because of the sauce and meatballs? I need to feed about 8 people.
I am trying this recipe for the first time - sounds delicious - but I was told that Prego is the best sauce to use - and I am wondering if using Beef broth would ruin the taste. I am feeding four of us at our card club - we do eat twice during the afternoon - evening so I guess I should add more broth or could I mix water with the broth?
You could also add beef boullion to the water. One cube or teaspoon per cup. I always drop a cube or two in the water when I boil noodles! It adds a great flavor!
You can certainly use beef broth in this recipe. You can add a little extra water/broth to refresh it after it has sat for a little while. Hope this helps.
How many servings does this make? I need to feed a crowd & was thinking of tripling it and making it in a roaster. What are your thoughts?
I followed the directions to a tee and the sauce to noodle ratio was not good. Needed more sauce and I cooked for exactly 5 hours. After that it switched to warm for a couple of hours. The noodles all clumped together and needs a half a jar more of sauce I would guess. Yes I used PAM and yes I used Olive Oil..... Gonna try again....
Did you add a little bit of extra liquid (the recommended 1/2 cup) before cooking? Leaving on the warm setting too long could cause these issues. I hope next time it turns out perfect for you.
I'm guessing it's too much time. I would start checking it around 4 hours and go from there. Hi or low? The first article I read said 5 on hi, and the next one was 5 on low. The vote seems to stay at high.
My sister just gave me the ninja crock-pot and told me about your recipe so i decided to try out for dinner hopefully it comes out good. its my first time cooking with a crock pot shocking i know but i am fairly knew on living on my own and wanted to try something new 🙂 all of your recipes look amazing cant wait to try out more!
If I were to double the recipe, how much water would you suggest?
Hey there Gina, I would double to water called for in the recipe. If you are going to be keeping this on the warm setting for a bit, add about another cup if you are doubling the recipe. Hope this helps.
I doubled the recipe and just used twice as much of everything and it came out fine.
This is my new favorite easy recipe to take to our local church soup kitchen. Thank You!
The noodles a bit starchy but still very good.