Description

This cozy Crockpot Spaghetti Casserole turns weeknight pasta into a no-fuss, family-style comfort meal. Everything cooks together right in your slow cooker sauce, meat, and pasta so you get all the flavor of baked spaghetti without heating up the oven. Cheesy, hearty, and hands-off, it’s perfect for busy days or casual entertaining.

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound ground beef or turkey
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
8 ounces uncooked spaghetti
2 cups water
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Fresh basil, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef or turkey with the chopped onion and minced garlic until the meat is cooked through, 6–8 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
Transfer the cooked meat mixture to a large crockpot. Add the marinara sauce, diced tomatoes with their juices, water, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine.
Break the uncooked spaghetti in half and add it to the crockpot, pushing the noodles down into the sauce. Make sure the pasta is fully submerged in the liquid so it cooks evenly.
Cover and cook on LOW for 4–5 hours or on HIGH for 2–3 hours, until the spaghetti is tender and the sauce is thick and bubbly. Stir once or twice during cooking, if possible, to prevent sticking.
About 15 minutes before serving, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan evenly over the top. Cover and cook just until the cheese is melted and gooey.
Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Garnish with fresh basil, if desired, and serve warm straight from the crockpot.

Notes

Use a lean ground meat (90% or leaner) to keep the casserole from becoming greasy in the crockpot.
If the sauce looks too thick near the end of cooking, stir in a splash of water or broth until it reaches your desired consistency.
For a little heat, add red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne along with the Italian seasoning.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 4–5 hours on LOW or 2–3 hours on HIGH
Category: Dinner, Casserole, Pasta
Method: Slow Cooker, Crockpot
Cuisine: American, Italian-Inspired

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
Calories: 350 kcal
Sugar: 6 g (approx.)
Sodium: 680 mg (approx.)
Fat: 15 g (approx.)
Saturated Fat: 7 g (approx.)
Unsaturated Fat: 7 g (approx.)
Trans Fat: 0 g (approx.)
Carbohydrates: 34 g (approx.)
Fiber: 3 g (approx.)
Protein: 22 g (approx.)
Cholesterol: 65 mg (approx.)

Keywords: crockpot spaghetti casserole, slow cooker spaghetti, easy pasta casserole, weeknight dinner, one-pot meal