🍝 Crockpot Spaghetti Casserole
A comforting, cheesy pasta dish made easily in the slow cooker. Crockpot Spaghetti Casserole layers tender spaghetti, savory meat sauce, and melted cheese into a hearty meal that’s perfect for busy days.
📝 Description
This slow-cooker casserole turns classic spaghetti into a rich, baked-style pasta dish without using the oven. Ground beef is simmered in tomato sauce with Italian herbs, then combined with spaghetti and topped with gooey melted cheese. The crockpot allows all the flavors to blend together while the pasta absorbs the delicious sauce.
It’s a family-friendly dinner that’s simple, filling, and great for meal prep.
🛒 Ingredients
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1 lb (450 g) ground beef
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1 small onion, diced
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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1 jar (24 oz / 680 g) marinara or spaghetti sauce
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1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
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½ teaspoon salt
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½ teaspoon black pepper
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8 oz spaghetti, broken in half
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2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
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½ cup parmesan cheese, grated
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1 cup ricotta cheese (optional)
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2 cups water or beef broth
👩🍳 Instructions
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Cook the meat
In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef with diced onion until browned. Add garlic and cook for another 30 seconds. Drain excess fat. -
Prepare the sauce
Stir in marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. -
Layer in the crockpot
Lightly grease the crockpot. Add a layer of sauce, then broken spaghetti, then more sauce. Continue layering until ingredients are used. -
Add liquid
Pour water or broth over the spaghetti to help it cook. -
Add cheese
Spread ricotta (if using) and sprinkle mozzarella and parmesan over the top. -
Cook
Cover and cook:-
Low: 3–4 hours
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High: 2–2.5 hours
Until spaghetti is tender and cheese is melted.
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Serve
Let sit for about 10 minutes before serving so it sets like a casserole.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
Serve this dish with:
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Garlic bread
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Caesar salad
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Roasted vegetables
💡 Tips
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Use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
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Add bell peppers or mushrooms to the sauce for extra vegetables.
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For extra cheesy flavor, mix mozzarella and provolone.
❓ Q & A
Q: Do I need to cook the spaghetti first?
No. The spaghetti cooks directly in the slow cooker with the sauce and liquid.
Q: Can I make it vegetarian?
Yes. Replace the meat with lentils or sautéed mushrooms.
Q: Can leftovers be frozen?
Yes. Store in airtight containers and freeze for up to 2 months.
Q: Why break the spaghetti?
Breaking the noodles helps them cook evenly in the crockpot and mix well with the sauce.
