Description
A simple, no-fuss crockpot recipe for spaghetti and meatballs that is perfect for busy weeknights, combining tender meatballs and rich tomato sauce with minimal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey for a lighter option)
- 1/2 cup cottage cheese (small-curd)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (can substitute gluten-free breadcrumbs)
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 28 oz jar of marinara sauce
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (optional)
- 12 oz dry spaghetti noodles (break in half to fit crockpot)
- 1/2 cup water or low-sodium broth
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (optional for garnish)
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, cottage cheese, grated Parmesan, breadcrumbs, egg, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined without overmixing.
- Shape the mixture into 1 to 1.5-inch meatballs, about 16-18 meatballs. Place on a plate; no need to brown.
- Pour marinara sauce into the crockpot. Add Worcestershire sauce and water or broth, stirring gently.
- Nestle meatballs carefully into the sauce, avoiding overcrowding.
- Cover and cook on low for 5 hours. Halfway through, spoon some sauce over meatballs to keep moist. Alternatively, cook on high for 3 hours.
- About 30 minutes before serving, break spaghetti noodles in half and stir gently into the crockpot. Cover and cook until pasta is tender, about 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. Sprinkle chopped basil or parsley on top.
- Serve spaghetti and meatballs in bowls, optionally with extra grated Parmesan.
Notes
Do not overmix meatball mixture to avoid toughness. Add pasta last to prevent mushiness. Use low heat for best tenderness. If sauce is too thick after cooking, add water or broth; if too thin, cook uncovered on high for 10-15 minutes to reduce. Avoid overcrowding meatballs in crockpot. Breaking spaghetti noodles in half helps them fit and cook evenly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1
- Calories: 420
- Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 28
Keywords: crockpot spaghetti, meatballs, slow cooker recipe, easy dinner, weeknight meal, dump-and-go, comfort food