Description
A cozy, cheesy comfort dish where tender meatballs, spaghetti, and rich tomato sauce come together in a slow cooker for a flavorful family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces dry spaghetti
- 1 pound ground beef
- 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 small chopped onion
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat a skillet over medium heat and add a drizzle of olive oil if browning the meatballs.
- In a bowl, mix ground beef, half the garlic and onion, salt, pepper, and half the Italian seasoning. Form into meatballs.
- Lightly grease the slow cooker or spray with nonstick spray.
- Layer crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, remaining onion, garlic, and seasoning in the slow cooker. Add the meatballs on top. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours.
- Break spaghetti in half and stir into the sauce during the final hour. Add hot water if needed. Cook until pasta is tender.
- Top with mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Cover for 10–15 minutes until cheese is melted.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.
Notes
- Use freshly shredded cheese for best melting.
- Add a splash of hot water if sauce thickens too much.
- Adjust seasoning to taste after cooking.
- Browning meatballs adds flavor but is optional.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 560
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: slow cooker spaghetti, cheesy spaghetti, meatballs, crockpot pasta, comfort food dinner