Crock Pot Spaghetti is an easy, hands-off dinner that’s perfect for busy nights. Everything cooks together in one pot, making it a simple, budget-friendly meal the whole family will love.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe!
This Crock Pot Spaghetti is one of those dinners I come back to again and again when life feels busy. It’s simple, filling, and everything cooks together in one pot—so you’re not juggling multiple pans at dinnertime.
- True one-pot meal: The pasta cooks right in the sauce, which means fewer dishes and less cleanup
- Great for busy schedules: Start it earlier in the day and dinner is ready when you are
- Easy to stretch for a crowd: Add a side of bread or salad to feed more people without spending much extra
Slow cooker beef recipes make serving a delicious dinner a breeze! If you love using your crock pot as much as I do, make sure to check out our Crock Pot Dinners for Busy Nights Series.
Recipe at a Quick Glance
- Budget-Friendly: Uses pantry staples and affordable ground beef
- Family-Tested: Kid-approved and perfect for picky eaters
- Real-Life Prep Time: 15 minutes prep, slow cooker does the rest
- Method: Slow Cooker (Crock Pot)
- Freezer-Friendly: Yes (best frozen after cooking)
- Best For: Busy weeknights, meal prep, feeding a crowd
Ingredients
- Ground beef – We typically use 80/20 for the best flavor, but leaner ground beef works too—just add a little extra seasoning if needed. Ground turkey is a great budget-friendly substitute.
- Spaghetti sauce – Use your favorite jarred sauce to keep things quick and affordable. Store brands work great here. If you have homemade sauce, this is a perfect way to use it.
- Chicken broth – This helps cook the pasta and keeps everything from drying out. You can swap in beef broth or even water in a pinch, but broth adds more flavor.
- Italian seasoning – A simple way to add flavor without measuring multiple spices. You can substitute a mix of oregano, basil, and parsley if needed.
- Salt, Black pepper, & Garlic powder – Added to balance flavors.
- Spaghetti – Break the noodles in half so they fit easily in the slow cooker and cook evenly. Make sure they’re fully covered in liquid.
- Parmesan cheese – Adds a nice finishing touch, but the recipe is still flavorful without it if you need to save a little money.
How to Make Crock Pot Spaghetti
Step 1 – In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown 1 lb ground beef, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain excess grease if needed.
Step 2 – Transfer the cooked beef to a 6-quart slow cooker. Add two 24-oz jars spaghetti sauce (or 6 cups homemade sauce), 3 cups chicken broth, 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and ½ teaspoon garlic powder. Stir to combine.
Step 3 – Break 1 lb dry spaghetti in half and stir it into the sauce mixture, pressing the noodles down so they are fully submerged.
Step 4 – Cover and cook on Low for 4–5 hours or High for 2–2½ hours, until the noodles are tender. Stir once halfway through cooking if possible to ensure even cooking.
Step 5 – Stir well before serving and top with ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Tips for Success
- Submerge the noodles fully to avoid dry or crunchy spots.
- Stir halfway through cooking if you’re home—it makes a big difference in texture.
- Check early: Slow cookers vary, so check noodles at the earlier time range.
- Don’t overcook: Pasta can get soft quickly once done.
Variations & Substitutions
- Ground turkey or chicken: Works great for a lighter option.
- Add veggies: Stir in diced onions, bell peppers, or mushrooms when browning the meat.
- Use different pasta: Short pasta like penne or rotini can work, but check earlier for doneness.
- Make it cheesy: Stir in shredded mozzarella at the end for a creamy twist.
Serving Recommendations
This is an easy meal on its own, but adding a simple side can help stretch it further and round out dinner.
- Garlic Bread: A budget-friendly favorite that makes the meal more filling
- Side Salad: A simple green salad or Caesar salad adds something fresh
- Steamed Vegetables: Broccoli, green beans, or carrots are easy and affordable options
- Roasted Vegetables: Use whatever you have on hand for a quick sheet pan side
Storage & Freezer Instructions
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Reheat: Add a splash of water or broth before reheating to loosen the sauce.
- Freezer: Freeze after cooking in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight and reheat on the stovetop or microwave.
FAQs
Yes, as long as the noodles are fully submerged in liquid, they will cook perfectly in the crock pot.
Yes, browning the beef first adds flavor and improves texture.
It was likely cooked too long. Start checking at the earliest cook time since slow cookers vary.
Yes, but make sure your slow cooker is large enough (at least 6–8 quarts) and stir well.
More Easy Spaghetti Recipes
This Crock Pot Spaghetti is one of those simple meals that makes dinnertime easier without sacrificing flavor. It’s filling, affordable, and perfect for those busy days when you just need something that works.
If you try this recipe, please come back and leave a star rating and a comment. I love hearing how it turned out for your family and any tips you discovered along the way!
Crock Pot Spaghetti
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 24-oz jars spaghetti sauce (or 6 cups homemade sauce)
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 lb dry spaghetti
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese optional, for serving
See how we calculate recipe costs.
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown 1 lb ground beef, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain excess grease if needed.
- Transfer the cooked beef to a 6-quart slow cooker. Add two 24-oz jars spaghetti sauce (or 6 cups homemade sauce), 3 cups chicken broth, 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and ½ teaspoon garlic powder. Stir to combine.
- Break 1 lb dry spaghetti in half and stir it into the sauce mixture, pressing the noodles down so they are fully submerged.
- Cover and cook on Low for 4–5 hours or High for 2–2½ hours, until the noodles are tender. Stir once halfway through cooking if possible to ensure even cooking.
- Stir well before serving and top with ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.
I can’t wait to try this recipe. It looks so easy and delicious!
Jackie – Thank you! I hope you enjoy it.
Love this recipe! Quick and easy for those nights where you don’t want to spend a lot of time cooking.
Can’t wait to try this!
Hope you love it!
Definitely going to make this, throwing in dry noodles is great
Cindy – Hope you love it! Thanks for leaving a comment.
I want to try this recipe! Sounds good and an easy way to make spaghetti?
Thank you! I hope you love it.
I can’t wait to try this! It looks super easy and delicious!
Thank you!
Tess
Thanks! Hope you love it!
This looks so delicious!! Can’t wait to try it!!
I’m putting this on my shopping list! Sounds so good!
Let me know how it turns out!
This spaghetti ? recipe is delicious ? ?
Rebecca – Thank you so much!
Easy!!! Only a few steps. And love,love,love that the pasta cooks in the sauce..
So glad you love it! It is great for busy nights.
I’ll definitely being trying this as we prefer our spaghetti as leftovers. So much more flavor on the second go’round. My hubs would eat spaghetti once a week, if I’d make it that often. This will be a great timesaver for me!
Candace – It’s so easy! I can’t wait to hear what you think!
Spaghetti is something we eat every Wednesday as it’s my autistic son’s favorite meal. I am definitely going to try it in the crockpot soon! It will be nice to have that option if I know I will have a busy day!
Jennifer – I hope you enjoy it and your son loves it too!
Can’t wait to make this recipe. I love all your extra suggestions/advise.
Thank you so much! I’m glad you find the tips helpful.
Finally! A Crockpot recipe for easy spaghetti. I’ve been looking for this recipe for a while and this is so quick and easy. Thanks so much for posting!
So good! And so easy!
Thank you, Tabatha! So happy to hear.
Never tried spaghetti in a crock pot. But I will someday.
This looks delicious and easy! Cannot wait to try.
Anne – I hope you love it!
I can’t wait to try this recipe! My crock pot is just sitting collecting dust.
Angela – Let me know how it turns out!
This is a wonderful idea for spaghetti without the steamy, boiling, spluttering water on the stove!!! I think that this is the greatest idea I have seen in a long time. I simply never thought of just putting it all into my crockpot and leaving it to cook. I usually had several big pots of spluttering water and burping sauce going, which meant more stove and counter cleanup!
Great idea for sure!!! Thanks.
Thank you for this great recipe. I have a weekly book club meet and this will be great to make for our monthly potluck!
Jeri – I hope book club loves it!
Enjoy making before church on Sunday morning and have lunch ready when we arrive home.
Kim – I’m so glad this recipe is helping to make it easier!
Ooooooo lawdamercy!!! This looks so good! I’mma try it this week. I have a hungry bunch that comes home around 5:30 and they love spaghetti. I’m so excited to try this!
Let me know how it turns out! I’m excited you are trying it!
My family loves this spaghetti!
That is great to hear! Thanks for letting us know.
Yummy!
Taryn – Thanks so much!
I plan to do this soon, it will be an excellent option for packing my lunches. Thanks.
Love spaghetti! Can’t wait to try in in the crockpot
Hope you enjoy it! Let me know how it turns out.
I’ve been following for three months now and I find your recipes easy to follow.
Spaghetti being one of my favorites I plan on giving this a try. Does the cook time change when using chick pea noodles or other diet friendly pastas?
Thank you for following along, Terry! Chickpea and other alternative pastas can become soft quickly in the slow cooker. I recommend cooking the pasta separately according to its package directions, then stirring it into the sauce just before serving.
I love putting the pasta in with the rest of the ingrediants instead of cooking separately saves a few pans. I have to be gluten free, but my husband won’t eat the gluten free pasta – So I alread had two extra pans. Now I have just two pans.
The sauce also turns out so much better – the pasta giving just a little more thickener action to the dish. In addition to doing it with the Crock Pot spaghetti, I have also done it with a “healthy hamburger helper”
Can’t wait to try this.
Claudia – Let me know how it turns out!
This dish is so delicious my husband loves it and it is so easy to prepare.thank you so much.
Catherine – You’re very welcome. Thanks so much for leaving a comment and sharing your feedback.
This looks great! I love that the noodles have time to absorb and catch all the deliciousness!
Thank you! We love that too because it gives it even more flavor!
I will save this recipe for when I have my family over for a big spaghetti dinner. Can’t go wrong with garlic breadsticks.
I cant wait to try this! My granddaughter is addicted to pasta and will eat it every day!
Cathy – Let me know how it turns out!
I love this! Never thought of Crock Pot And Spaghetti. I am going to try it. I love your recipes. So much great info on saving time and money. Thank
Rose – I’m so glad you love this recipe and others. Thank you for sharing!
This recipe is fantastic, tastes great,wonderful flavour . Definitely a keeper in my books
Thank you, Mark. I appreciate you leaving a comment.
Make dinners for my 95 year old mother.
This is so simple and she loves this recipe.
Jackie – That is so kind of you and I’m glad she loves it!
I’ve always wanted to try cooking the pasta on the crockpot but haven’t. I think ill add this to my list for the weekend to try.
Sounds so good and so easy! I’ve got to try that tonight!
Sandy – Thank you! Let me know how it turns out.
This sounds great ? for nights ? we want pasta ? but want it done ?? by the time we get home ?. I’ll definitely try this on game nights ?!
What a simple recipe. Can’t wait to try it
Love these “hands-off” meals ! Busy time of year right now 🙂 Your recipes are very ‘PIN’ worthy !!
Always look forward to your recipes!
Debbi – I’m thrilled you love them!
I’m definitely making this for after the Friday Night Football Game this Friday Night!
That’s a great idea for the big game! Love that!
Can’t wait to try this!
I have never thought about spaghetti in the crockpot before. Definitely giving this a try.
This sounds delicious!!
I have made this several times, However, I add a 1/2 package of cream cheese to smooth the tomato taste down a bit
Ken – I’m so glad you love it! Great idea!
Cant believe how easy it worked
My kids love spaghetti and this recipe will definitely make dinner a little easier. Thank u for sharing ?
Looking forward to trying this! I like to brown/season large batches of ground beef and freeze them in one pound portions to have on hand for recipes. This will be perfect for an easy, ready to go meal on my daughter’s practice nights!
April – That is a great idea for busy nights! Hope you enjoy!
Never cooked spaghetti in a crock pot. Anxious to try this
This was definitely a different take on a spaghetti meal. Very good!
So glad you enjoyed! Thanks for commenting.
I love how the noodles absorb all the flavor this way. It’s not spaghetti with meat sauce on top. It’s fully integrated flavor. Yum!
Katie – So glad you love the flavor! Thanks for leaving a comment.
The photo looks delicious. I am definitely going to make this one
Laura – I’m thrilled to hear this. Let me know how it turns out.
I didn’t know you could make Spaghetti in the crockpot so I am super excited to try it!
Robin – It’s so easy! Let me know what you think!
This is so good and has been such a lifesaver to my family.
That’s great. Thank you for sharing!
Sounds easy and delicious!
Kimberly – Thank you so much!
I made the crockpot spaghetti and it turned out great. I used lean ground beef browned. The dish was done at 4 hrs .
So happy to hear you loved it. Thanks for leaving a comment.
I can’t wait to make this for tonight. It looks delicious and easy.
Michelle – Let me know how it turns out!
I’m going to have to try this, love spaghetti !
Hope you enjoy!
My 3 school aged children are obsessed with this recipe. Spaghetti is a classic, budget friendly and super good! I have added this one to our weekly rotations
The flavor of homemade sauce without all the effort and dishes!
So easy and simple. Would make again.
This recipe is delicious! I will make it again
Rebecca – I’m so happy to hear this. Thanks for leaving a comment and sharing.
Yummy in all our tummies. Everyone enjoyed served with cheesy garlic bread and fresh salad.
Love those side ideas! So glad everyone enjoyed!
Have never tried spaghetti in the crockpot. Planning to try this in the next week!
I’m so glad you plan to try it. Thanks for leaving a comment.
I enjoyed making this recipe and the flavors are outstanding
Worked really well for a one dish solution
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
I made the crock pot spaghetti; it was quick and easy. my family loved it. thanx for the recipes!!!
You’re so welcome! Thanks for sharing with us! Your kind comment made our day!
Love a new twist on spaghetti
Thank you so much!
Thank you for sharing these recipes. I can’t wait to try them.
Kelly – You’re welcome. I’m so glad you plan to try it!
I’ve never made spaghetti in the crockpot. Looking forward to trying it.
I’m so excited to make this – no more boiling water – and this can cook while I work!
Yes! It’s a game changer for sure. Hope you enjoy!
I love spaghetti and this made it so easy. Easy on the clean up too. Thanks Carrie.
Jeri – You’re very welcome! I’m thrilled to hear this!
I love spaghetti! ? Can’t wait to try your crockpot version!
Thank you! I hope you love it!
This is a wonderful meal to make
Patti – Thank you! I’m so glad you enjoyed it.
Amazingly great! My first time using a crockpot. Perfect texture and robust flavors make this a family winner.
Dale – You are too kind. Thank you so much!
This sounds yummy! Can’t wait to try!
Thanks so much! Let me know what you think.
So easy and family love it
Will be one for the recipe box thank you for sharing
This made my day! Thank you SO much!
You really can cook just about ANYTHING in yhe crock pot! I love it!
I agree! The crock pot makes cooking so many different meals easy.
It was good and easy to make
Tried this! Won’t make spaghetti any other way from now on. So easy & delicious! Ty
Peggy – Wow! Thank you! This made my day!
Great idea to make in the crock pot, set it and forget it. Lifesaver last night as we had a practice to go to. Came home and dinner was almost done for us. Delicious and lots of leftovers. The only extra ingredient I added was some crushed red pepper.
I loved making our spaghetti dinner in the crackpot! So much easier than having to watch it on the stove. Plus it just seemed to taste better. I added onions and bell pepper to it to get more veggies and had garlic bread and salad as a side.
looks good cant wait to try
I can’t wait to try this recipe!
It looks so delicious!
Thank you, Donna! I hope you enjoy it!
I haven’t found a slow cooker pasta dish that didn’t get the pasta too soft. This one looks like a possibility.
I hope you give this one a try! Be sure to check the pasta toward the end of the cooking time so you can serve it as soon as it is tender.
Looks like a great, simple recipe. I like that the pasta is in the sauce so it will absorb the flavor better than if the pasta was cooked separately. I’ll be making it soon!
One comment: when you change the number of servings on the printer page, the quantities in the instructions stay the same as for 6 servings. I’d suggest leaving the quantities out of the instructions and let only the ingredient list show the quantities.
absolutely delicious and so easy to make. tytytt
Thank you so much! I’m glad you enjoyed it and found it easy to make!
My family loved this meal, quick & easy to make, thank you.
Diane – I’m so happy to hear this! Thanks for letting me know.
I’ve seen spaghetti in a crockpot recipes before. This one is a keeper!
Kathy – Thanks so much! You made my day!
I’m thinking about trying this! The one-pot idea hooked me.
You will love the one pot recipe!
We make spaghetti at least once a week, but haven’t tried this method. Thanks Carrie for a great inspiration !
Such an easy recipe for those days when I don’t feel like standing over the stove. Love it!
I made this incredible spaghetti for the first time and it was gone in one sitting, I have never had that happen. I think adding the chicken broth had a lot to do with the flavor intensity! So good will make again
Oh wow! Thanks for letting me know! That’s amazing!
I’ve made this before. Great budget friendly meal to make.
I do add a little sugar to mines. Not to make it sweet, but to cut the acidity of the sauce.
Tish – So happy to hear this! We love budget friendly!
Hi I love this recipe.
Thank you so much!
We are going to try this…adding the ingredients to my cart now. Thank you for sharing your recipe.
Thank you so much! I’m glad you plan to try it.
I’ve never cooked spaghetti in the crock pot before. Gonna have to add it to my list!
Susan – It’s so easy and convenient. Let me know what you think!
My 9 year old son just said last night he is in the mood for spaghetti, so it must be fate I came across this recipe. It looks amazing and I can’t wait to make it on Saturday.. Thanks for sharing..
You’re welcome! Hope you love it.
Spaghetti in the crock pot is really good! I wasn’t sure what to expect as I hadn’t tried it before but even all the kids really enjoyed the taste!
Very good , will make again
This recipe was absolutely delicious! It was easy to follow, and my whole family cleaned their plates.
Loved how easy this recipe is!
I love spaghetti and making in the crock pot just made it easier
So good and very easy to prepare. I love Italian cuisine and this did not disappoint. Thank you!!!