Slow Cooker Spaghetti

Here’s a delicious Slow Cooker Spaghetti recipe — easy, flavorful, and perfect for busy days!

🍝 Slow Cooker Spaghetti Recipe

⏱ Total Time: 4–6 hours

Serves: 6–8

📝 Ingredients:

• 1 lb (450g) ground beef or Italian sausage

• 1 medium onion, chopped

• 3–4 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 (24 oz) jar marinara or spaghetti sauce

• 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes (with juice)

• 2 cups water or low-sodium beef broth

• 1 tsp dried basil

• 1 tsp dried oregano

• 1/2 tsp salt (adjust to taste)

• 1/4 tsp black pepper

• 8 oz (about 1/2 box) uncooked spaghetti noodles, broken in half

• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan (optional)

• Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)

🍳 Instructions:

1. Brown the meat (optional but recommended):
   In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef or sausage with chopped onion until browned. Add garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Drain excess fat.

2. Add to slow cooker:
   Transfer the cooked meat mixture to the slow cooker. Add marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, water or broth, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.

3. Cook on LOW:
   Cover and cook on LOW for 4–5 hours (or HIGH for 2–3 hours).

4. Add pasta:
   Stir the sauce, then add broken spaghetti noodles directly into the slow cooker. Make sure noodles are submerged as much as possible.

5. Continue cooking:
   Cover and cook on LOW for another 20–30 minutes, stirring once or twice, until pasta is tender. Add a bit more water if the sauce thickens too much.

6. Serve:
   Stir in Parmesan if using. Garnish with fresh herbs and serve hot!

💡 Tips:

• For a richer flavor, use half beef broth and half water.

• Add chopped bell peppers or mushrooms for extra veggies.

• For a vegetarian version, skip the meat and double the tomatoes or add lentils.