Crock Pot Spaghetti
230 Comments
Posted: 04/24/24
Updated: 07/10/24
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Your favorite family dinner can now be made easily in your slow cooker! This Crock Pot Spaghetti is so easy with tons of flavor. Tender spaghetti noodles, spicy Italian sausage in a creamy spaghetti sauce made with cream cheese. It’s our favorite way to enjoy spaghetti. Plus, it’s quick and easy for busy nights.
I love how creamy and yummy this Crock Pot spaghetti is. Plus, it makes a ton so invite those friends over or just feed your incredibly hungry family! It’s great for packing lunches the next day, too. I just toss together a side salad and breadsticks to finish this meal off.
The crock pot is such an amazing friend to busy families! It makes meals so quick and easy and the kids love them like my Crock Pot Lasagna and Crock Pot Chicken Parmesan. We love this easy Instant Pot Spaghetti so I figured we’d love a good Crock Pot Spaghetti too. And boy was I right!
Why You’ll Love Crock Pot Spaghetti
- I love that this spaghetti recipe has Italian Sausage in it. It makes it a bit spicier and I love the kick! But as always you can use regular sausage or ground beef it the spice is to much, especially for kids.
- The addition of cream cheese makes that sauce so creamy and rich. It really takes it up a notch!
- Slow cooker spaghetti is great for busy evenings, especially when everyone is in and out and can’t sit down for a meal all at once. They can just take a portion when they have time and enjoy dinner!
Ingredients for Crock Pot Spaghetti
- Italian sausage – Could also use ground beef or ground turkey. You can even skip the ground meat and use frozen meatballs instead.
- Seasonings – Salt, pepper, garlic salt will give it an extra boost of flavor. You could also add a little Italian Seasoning.
- Pasta sauce – Used your favorite jarred pasta sauce to make it quick and easy. You can also use a homemade sauce if you prefer.
- Spaghetti noodles – The cooking time is tested with regular spaghetti noodles. If you use a Angel Hair it will cook quicker so remember that!
- Cheeses – A mixture of Parmesan cheese and cream cheese make this so delicious and the sauce creamy!
- Chicken broth – The spaghetti will soak this up so it’s a must! In a pinch water might also work. We use low sodium chicken broth to lower the sodium.
Helpful Tools
How to Make Easy Crock Pot Spaghetti
- Brown the sausage Italian sausage in a large skillet on the stove top. Season it with salt, pepper and garlic salt. Drain off any excess grease and set it aside.
- Pour one jar of spaghetti sauce into the bottom of the crockpot.
- Then place uncooked spaghetti noodles on top of the sauce and layer the sausage on top of noodles. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
- Dice the cream cheese into little chunks and place them on top of Parmesan cheese, then top with another jar of sauce.
- Cover the crock pot and cook on high for 3 hours. After three hours stir spaghetti mixture and add the last jar of pasta sauce and the chicken broth into crock pot. Replace lid and cook on low for one additional hour until noodles are done and the mixture is fully heated through.
How to Store Leftover Easy Crock Pot Spaghetti
FRIDGE: Transfer leftovers to an airtight container. If you know that you’ll need separate portions, divide the leftovers into multiple storage containers. Store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
FREEZER: Allow leftovers to cool and store in an airtight container or freezer bag for 2-3 months. Allow to thaw completely before reheating.
How to Reheat Spaghetti
Reheat in the microwave, on the stove top, or in the oven.
What to Serve with Crock Pot Spaghetti
Serve this simple main course with easy side like air fryer garlic bread or even some cheesy garlic bread.
It would also be great with veggie sides like roasted vegetables or green beans with bacon. Some air fryer asparagus or air fried broccoli would be tasty too.
Can spaghetti noodles be cooked in a crockpot?
Absolutely! It’s a great way to cook a big meal for a crowd – we love slow cooker spaghetti. A quick note is that this pasta is a bit softer than traditional spaghetti that is boiled to al dente, but not mushy.
Best spaghetti we’ve ever made! This is definitely going on our crockpot favs list. Thank you!
How long do you cook noodles in the crockpot?
It only takes four hours from start to finish to make crockpot spaghetti! It’s the best hands-off way to cook pasta.
How can I prevent condensation on my Crock Pot lid?
This is such a quick and easy trick for all crock pot recipes! Simply cover the slow cooker with a dry dishtowel or several paper towels with the edges hanging over then place the lid on it. This will soak up that extra moisture. Grab both the lids and towels when removing it so it doesn’t fall into what you are cooking.
Pro Tips for the Best Crock Pot Spaghetti
- Remember that every slow cooker cooks differently and at different temperatures. It’s important that you know your crock pot. Keep an eye on your pasta, stirring it regularly and test it so you know when it’s done. Overcooked pasta gets gummy, mushy and isn’t ideal!
- Don’t over-stir the mixture when adding ingredients halfway through cooking. It could break down the noodles and make them mushy.
- Feel free to sprinkle the top of the spaghetti with extra parmesan or mozzarella cheese towards the end of the cooking process.
More Amazing Spaghetti Recipes!
- Not sure if you want Alfredo or Spaghetti? This amazing Baked Spaghetti Casserole is perfect because it has a layer of both!
- Hearty and delicious Spaghetti Pie has layers of noodles, cheese, and your favorite spaghetti toppings! It’s always a hit dinner recipe.
- Need something quick and easy? Try Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs that you can use homemade or frozen meatballs in!
- Best Ever Spaghetti and Meatballs is so easy to make because the homemade meatballs cook right in the sauce!
More Recipes You’ll Love!
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!
Crockpot Spaghetti Recipe
Tender spaghetti noodles, spicy Italian sausage in a creamy spaghetti sauce made with cream cheese in your slow cooker!
Video
Ingredients
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic salt
- 3 jars of pasta sauce (24 ounce each)
- 1 pound spaghetti noodles
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese grated or powder
- 4 ounces fat free cream cheese
- 14.5 ounces can chicken broth low sodium
Instructions
- Brown Italian sausage in medium skillet. Season with salt, pepper and garlic salt. Drain grease and set sausage aside.
- Pour one jar of pasta sauce on the bottom of your crock pot. Break spaghetti noodles in half and place on top of sauce. Put sausage on top of noodles. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
- Cut cream cheese into little chunks and put in crock pot on top of Parmesan cheese. Pour another jar of pasta sauce over the cream cheese.
- Cover slow cooker and cook on high for 3 hours, stirring a few times throughout cooking time.
- After three hours stir spaghetti mixture. Pour last jar of pasta sauce and chicken broth into crock pot. Replace lid and cook on low for one hour.
Tips
- You can substitute the Italian sausage for ground beef, turkey or even chicken if you’d like. You can even skip the ground meat and use frozen meatballs instead!
- If you don’t want to use all chicken broth you can substitute some of it for water or all of it.
- Don’t have cream cheese? You can skip this ingredient, but the sauce won’t be as creamy.
- Remember that every slow cooker cooks differently and at different temperatures. It’s important that you know your crock pot. Keep an eye on your pasta, stirring in regularly and test it so you know when it’s done. Overcooked pasta gets gummy, mushy and isn’t ideal!
Nutrition Information
Serving: 1, Calories: 706kcal (35%), Carbohydrates: 78g (26%), Protein: 31g (62%), Fat: 31g (48%), Saturated Fat: 12g (75%), Cholesterol: 73mg (24%), Sodium: 2970mg (129%), Potassium: 1601mg (46%), Fiber: 8g (33%), Sugar: 18g (20%), Vitamin A: 1643IU (33%), Vitamin C: 25mg (30%), Calcium: 204mg (20%), Iron: 6mg (33%)
Camden Rusincovitch says
Love that you used spicy sausage for this crock pot spaghetti, I feel like it really elevates the flavor!
Courtney says
Agreed! Thank you!
Alyssa says
I am only making Crockpot Spaghetti from now on. This is amazing, and I had no idea you could do this!
Kristen says
BRB… mourning all the time I’ve lost making spaghetti on the stove over the years–when I could’ve been making Crockpot Spaghetti, instead! How perfect for busy school nights and holidays, too!
Courtney says
Yes, it is perfect for those busy nights! Also the perfect comfort food after a crazy busy day.
Brittany says
This crockpot spaghetti recipe looks much more satisfying than the way I’ve been throwing it together at home. I can’t wait for my family to try this recipe!
Courtney says
Love the the set it and forget it for this recipe!
Cynthia Rusincovitch says
Wait… I can make crockpot spaghetti?? How did I not know this? I am making my life harder than it needs to be.
Courtney says
Yep, best thing ever!
Kelly says
Looking to make this while we are out hiking for several hours. Can you cook it on low for a longer time? If so…how long?
Beverly Uebelacker says
I made this and my husband raved about it even after eating it a few nights in a row. It has such a depth of flavor that regular spaghetti sauce just can’t deliver. My husband and I agree it is the best we have ever eaten, and that is saying a lot in our over 60 years of eating spaghetti! Thank you ❤️
Courtney says
Thank you, Beverly, for your kind words! So glad you and your husband both enjoyed this recipe! ☺
Vee says
Complete WASTE! I could just cry. I followed the instructions and left all ingredients in the crockpot only to come back after 3 hours to find the food burned on the sides, noodles completely stuck together, and food stuck to the bottom. 😢
Courtney says
Oh no, we have never had this issue. Does your crockpot have temperature control settings?
Allie says
I feel this is more of a crockpot failure and not the recipe. I had a crockpot that did the same. I got rid of it! I’m making this tonight.
Courtney says
So many crockpots have so many different settings!
Danielle B says
I used this recipe for my work potluck and everyone begged me for the recipe! It was SO good! I doubled it which worked but it was a little tricky to stir and I wasn’t able to add all of the broth. But it was fine and made so much!
Great recipe says
Loved this recipe. I used ground beef. 1- 24 oz jar of sauce and 1 can Italian style dices tomatoes. Other than that I followed the recipe. It came out delicious & the family loved it.
Pete Williams says
Was so delicious I couldn’t believe it!!!
Courtney says
So glad you enjoyed it! Such a great recipe when you need an easy dinner.
Amanda Ansley says
Just made this is, it is awesome! I followed all the instructions and am glad the author put in to check the pasta regularly. I discovered my crockpot cooks fast when I made Mac and cheese in the past and it got very mushy. I cooked on high for 1.5 hours initially, and checked it every 20 to 30 minutes. Then I added the chicken broth and half of the last can of sauce because of preference and cooked on low for 30 more minutes. It is perfect and my family loves it! When I stirred the noodles during cooking a made sure to then kind of pat them down with my spoon to make sure they were submerged under the sauce and the ends were not sticking up so they wouldn’t have dry parts. Thanks so much, I am glad I did this one!
Courtney says
Yay! That is so great to hear. Thank you for giving this recipe and for rating it.
nascar4433 says
Thank you so much for your tips & hints after making this recipe! It sounds really good and, more importantly, easy. Thank you Courtney for so many crockpot recipes. I have a large one that I only use once a year (or less) for Hawaiian pulled pork. Otherwise it just sits there collecting dust. Now I have another use for it. Go away dust bunnies!
Daniel says
Absolute garbage I followed the recipe to a tee it can really dry and horrible
Tyler says
Well clearly you didn’t as many others here have enjoyed it. If it’s too mushy for you, as you’ve said multiple times in this thread for some reason, then you need to check on it more. Don’t just assume you can be babied through a recipe
Russ Fortini says
Tyler, clearly you did not follow the recipe and just threw the ingrediencies into the pot willy/nilly, turned it on, and let it go. I hope you will try this again and have great success. It is one great recipe, and I’m an 82 year old Italian whose eaten about every Italian recipe (and they can be all different). This is one of the best I’ve had as a widower who loves to cook. Good luck (AND I really mean for you to try it EXACTLY as printed.
Courtney says
Thank you, Russ!
Terri says
Daniel, you commented unfavorably sometime ago. Most comments have been excellent. If it didn’t work for you, that’s ok, but you don’t have to be so hateful.
Courtney says
Thanks Terri!
nascar4433 says
I totally agree with Tyler, Russ, and Terri. There’s absolutely no reason whatsoever to be mean, hateful, and spiteful about a recipe. I can’t imagine your reaction to an actual afront. Pity the poor soul who incurs your rath. I hope you’re not violent. Just spiteful & hateful I guess. It doesn’t sound like you followed the recipe as written. Courtney wrote it clearly and concisely with many helpful hints (for this and other crockpot recipes), and many of the cooks who actually have made it have added their own useful hints. Every crockpot cooks at a different pace. It’s up to the cook to follow the recipe as written (unless they’re a really good cook and know what changes will work), and for the cook to pay attention to their specific equipment. Please don’t use your valuable time to write multiple negative reviews…especially for something as simple as spaghetti…in a crockpot. I will pray for you, whether you like it or not, because I think you’re in need of something more in your life besides the negative attitude. Something spaghetti can’t help you with.
Adrienne says
I followed it almost exactly but used frozen meatballs plus I doubled it in one big crockpot and did 1.5 in another. They both turned out perfect! 30 women at Bible study that aren’t spaghetti fans ate it up asking for the recipe! So simple, so tasty, so easy to clean up😉!
Jusslai says
Called for 2 much cream cheese and the noodles don’t expand fully so it comes out like angel hair pasta and it’s to mushy and I cooked it on low for 3 hours I can only imagine how bad it would have been on high….please don’t cook this it’s a waste of money and food had to through it out
Courtney says
I am sorry to hear you had this issue. This was not an issue when testing and remaking this recipe.
Daniel says
It surely was as me and my friends have found the same and we have cooked in multiple slow cookers so u should adjust your timings or just not post at all
Jessica says
I did it exactly as the recipe calls and it was perfect. One of my favorite new recipes. Not sure what’s going wrong for you!
Cheria says
Can you use other types of pasta? I have done it before and it’s excellent with spaghetti but I am out ?
Cheria says
I am trying casarecce pasta; 12oz. It’s a dense pasta so hopefully it will absorb the same , like the traditional spaghetti . I will let you know.
Courtney says
Yes, please let me know if that works. Thanks!