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Make Crockpot Pasta and Meatballs for a set it and forget it weeknight meal. This one pot dish cooks tender meatballs, perfectly sauced pasta and no mealtime stress!
This crock pot pasta recipe is perfect for any day of the week because the slow cooker makes it so easy! Toss it all in the crock pot before you leave for the day and come home to dinner waiting.
Serve it with a salad and you have a complete meal. It is so easy! We make this meal all the time because the kids go crazy over it and it is simple and frugal. Throw in some garlic bread and you are set.
You may also love Crock pot Spaghetti Casserole Recipe, Crockpot Baked Ziti or Crock Pot Hawaiian Meatballs.
What's in this post: Crockpot Pasta and Meatballs
Why You’ll Love Crockpot Pasta and Meatballs
Crockpot Pasta and Meatballs turns classic Italian comfort food into a foolproof dump-and-go dinner! With minimal prep, one pot, and maximum flavor, it’s a lifesaver for hectic nights and a crowd-pleaser for gatherings.
There is no need to pre-boil pasta or prepare the meatballs. Just toss the simple ingredients into the crockpot and watch it become the hero of family dinner!
Ingredients
- Frozen Meatballs – Use any type of meatballs. There is no need to thaw before placing in the slow cooker.
- Rigatoni – You can also use penne or ziti pasta for delicious results
- Marinara Sauce – Try Easy Marinara Sauce
- Shredded Mozzarella Cheese – Use freshly shredded cheese for the best taste
- Parmesan Cheese – Top your pasta when serving.
Scroll to the recipe card for the full recipe.
How to Make Crockpot Meatballs and Pasta
Step 1 – Rinse Pasta in warm water and allow to drain.
Step 2 – Add the meatballs, rigatoni, marinara sauce and water to the crock pot. Stir to combine. Cover and Cook on low for 2.5-3 hours.
Step 3 – Stir in mozzarella cheese. Cover and allow to melt. Serve warm and enjoy!
Crockpot Pasta and Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 lb Frozen Meatballs
- 8 ounces Rigatoni
- 2 jars marinara sauce (24 ounces each)
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup Shredded Mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese (for serving)
Instructions
- Rinse pasta in warm water and allow to drain.
- Add the meatballs, rigatoni, marinara sauce and water to a crock pot.
- Stir to combine all the ingredients.
- Make sure that the pasta is covered in the sauce and liquid and press them down into the sauce if needed.
- Cover and cook on low for 2.5-3 hours or on high for 1.5-2 hours until the pasta is cooked through and tender.
- Stir in the mozzarella cheese. Cover and allow it to melt (10-15 minutes).
- Serve warm topped with the parmesan cheese and enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Nutrition Facts
Recipe Tips
- Cooking Pasta – Make sure that the pasta is covered with the sauce so that it cooks evenly. Check pasta while cooking so that it does not overcook.
- Double Recipe – If you are feeding this dish to a crowd, double the recipe. Make sure to cook in a large enough slow cooker.
Variations Ideas
- Add Vegetables – Feel free to add chopped onions, slice mushrooms and green peppers in the slow cooker and cook with the pasta and meatballs. Chopped spinach or zucchini for even more flavor.
- Spicy – Add in 1 tsp of red pepper flakes to the pasta mixture for a spicy flavor.
- Change Pasta – Feel feel to use other types of pasta to make this pasta and meatball dish.
What to Serve with Pasta and Meatballs
- Easy Caesar Salad or a simple side salad
- Steamed Broccoli – This takes just minutes in the microwave for an easy side dish.
- Roasted Green Beans
- Homemade Garlic Bread – We freeze this and it is so quick and easy.
- Garlic Bread Cheese sticks
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! We love recipes like this because it cuts down on prep work and requires less pots and pans. It is so much easier and less clean up.
Yes, shape 1 ½-inch balls from your favorite ground beef mixture and drop them into the slow cooker raw. The meatballs will cook fully in the sauce. See Easy Meatball Recipe.
You do not have to brown the meatballs first. Toss everything in the crock pot and enjoy a great meal in a few hours. This recipe is so easy and a great recipe for busy weeknights.
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Yes, freeze the leftovers in a freezer safe container in individual servings. Freeze for up to 3 months and thaw in the fridge when ready to serve
More Crock Pot Meatball Recipes
Easy Slow Cooker
Crock Pot Swedish Meatballs Recipe
Easy Slow Cooker
Crock Pot Meatball Stew Recipe
Easy Beef
Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs
If you make Crockpot Pasta and Meatballs Recipe, please leave us a comment or a star review. We love hearing from you!
This recipe is incredible! My 17 year old daughter loved it so much that she ate the leftovers the next day which rarely happens with her.
Woohoo! I’m so glad to hear this Tracey! I know it’s a win when the teenagers love it!
Great recipe! I was worried about putting uncooked pasta in the layers but the pasta turned out perfect. I sautéed some onion and garlic to add to the sauce. Also added some Mediterranean seasoning blend to the layers. Such a perfect and easy meal. Thank you for the recipe.
What size crockpot do you recommend for a standard recipe? What size crockpot if I double the recipe? Thank you.
6 quart is my perfect slow cooker. See the best slow cooers.
When I double the recipe, it says (4) 48 oz. jars of sauce. Does it mean 48 oz. TOTAL or actually 4×48 oz=192 oz.? This sounds like a LOT, but I don’t want to mess it up.
So sorry for that confusion. If you double the recipe, it would be 4 jars that are 24 ounces each for a total of 96 ounces. I hope you enjoy this recipe.
This was so easy and and delicious!! My family really enjoyed it!!!
I made this wonderful meal tonight!! It was a big hit here!! Thank you Carrie for this awesome easy recipe!! I’m recovering from surgery so I needed something simple!! Yum yum!!!
Fewer pots and pans
Less sugar…
Thank you !
Recipe sounds perfect for Christmas evening plus following days off.
Could it be cooked on high? For how long?
how much cooking time do you add if you dont cook the pasta first?
Do you put the meatballs in frozen or do you defrost first? Also, you mentioned doing a ricotta layer. If you do that, exactly how do you layer it? And what do you mix it with?
Hi ,in one of the pictures you have the sauce that it looks like you added some spices on it..What kind of spices did you use?..
Loretta – It’s just some parsley for the picture. Thank you!
I’m not a fan of the frozen meatballs in the store. Can I use fresh, homemade meatballs in this recipe? And would I need to bake them first as you call for “pre-cooked frozen” meatballs in your recipe?
Teresa, I would brown the homemade ones in a skillet before putting them in the crock pot. I would do this to make sure that they do not fall apart. I would add more time if the browning did not cook them through. Thank you!
I am assuming you cook the pasta before you put it in the crockpot?
No, actually you don’t have to!