This is my take on Crockpot Spaghetti with juicy turkey meatballs and it’s a total win in our house. You can actually cook pasta in the crockpot (yep, spaghetti noodles and all!) which blew my mind at first, but now I’m never going back. It’s creamy, saucy, and tastes like you worked way harder than you did.
If you’re looking for a super simple Spaghetti Recipe or even one of those Crock Pot Baked Spaghetti vibes without all the layers and oven mess—girl, this is it. Whether you call it Slow Cooker Pasta, Spaghetti In Crock Pot, or just good ol’ Spaghetti In The Crockpot, it’s all the same cozy magic. This recipe checks all the boxes: Crockpot Pasta Recipes, Slow Cooker Spaghetti, and yes—even Spaghetti Recipes Easy enough to make while wearing a toddler on your hip.
And honestly? I’ve tried a lot of Crockpot Spaghetti Recipes and this one’s the only one my picky middle child will eat without asking “what’s that green thing in there?” So if you’re craving that comforting, Creamy Spaghetti taste without standing over a hot stove for an hour, this Easy Slow Cooker Dinner is about to be your new bestie.
Alright—let’s make some Spaghetti In A Crockpot and pretend for 5 minutes that we’ve got it all together
Ingredients (a.k.a. what you need to grab)
For the turkey meatballs:
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1/3 cup breadcrumbs (plain or Italian—whatever you got)
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (or a lil garlic powder if you’re too tired to chop)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper (just a lil pinch of each)
For the crockpot magic:
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce (use your fave—no judgment here)
- 1/2 cup water or chicken broth
- 8 oz spaghetti noodles, broken in half (makes them fit better)
- Extra Parm and chopped parsley for topping if you’re feelin’ fancy
Let’s Cook This Thing — Step by Step
1. Make the Meatballs
Grab a big ol’ mixing bowl. Dump in your ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, Parm, seasoning, and salt & pepper. Get in there with your hands and mix it up real good. It’s messy, but kinda therapeutic if you’ve had one of those days.
Then roll the mixture into balls—like, about the size of a ping pong ball. Doesn’t have to be perfect. Mine never are and guess what? They still taste amazing.
2. Layer It All in the Crockpot
Spray your slow cooker with non-stick spray (or rub a lil olive oil around with a paper towel if that’s your vibe).
Pour a third of the sauce in first—just enough to coat the bottom.
Place your meatballs gently on top of the sauce. Then pour the rest of the sauce over them.
Add in your water or broth. Don’t stir. Just trust the layering system, okay?
3. Cook Low and Slow
Put the lid on and cook on LOW for 4–5 hours or HIGH for 2.5–3 hours. I usually go low and start it right after school drop-off. By dinner, it’s ready and I didn’t even break a sweat.
Your house is gonna smell so good, like you’ve been cooking all day (when really, you’ve been folding laundry and fishing Legos out of the toilet).
4. Add Your Spaghetti
About 30–40 minutes before dinner time, break your spaghetti noodles in half and stir them right into the crockpot. Try to tuck them into the sauce so they cook evenly and don’t get dry.
Pop the lid back on and keep cooking on HIGH. Check the noodles after about 25 minutes. If they’re soft and perfect, you’re golden.
5. Serve It Up
Scoop those tender meatballs and saucy noodles into bowls. Top with extra Parm (always extra Parm) and maybe some parsley if you want to act like you’ve got your life together.
I usually serve it with garlic bread if I remember to grab some. Or frozen peas if I’m trying to sneak in a veggie and pretend I’m being healthy.
FAQS – Because I Know You’re Wondering…
Can I cook spaghetti noodles right in the crockpot?
Yes ma’am, you sure can! I was skeptical too at first, but now I’m fully converted. Just toss the noodles in about 30-40 minutes before serving. Make sure they’re tucked into the sauce so they don’t dry out. No need to pre-boil, no extra pots—just vibes and carbs.
Can I use ground beef instead of turkey?
Absolutely! Use what you’ve got. Ground beef, ground chicken, even meatless crumbles if you’re doing the veggie thing. The recipe won’t judge.
Will the spaghetti get mushy in the slow cooker?
Not if you time it right! Add the pasta near the end—when there’s about 30 minutes left—and check it early. Every slow cooker is a little different (mine runs hot like my 4-year-old on red Kool-Aid), so give it a peek after 20 mins.
Can I use jarred sauce? Or do I have to make my own?
Oh honey, use the jar. We’re moms, not Michelin chefs. I keep a jar of marinara in the pantry at all times like it’s liquid gold. Pick your fave and keep it movin’. If you do wanna make your own sauce, go for it—but it’s not required.
Can I freeze the leftovers?
Yes! This dish freezes like a champ. Let it cool, then store in freezer bags or containers. It makes the perfect “I-don’t-feel-like-cooking” backup meal. Just thaw, reheat, and sprinkle on some fresh cheese if you’re feelin’ fancy.
Recipe Card: Crockpot Spaghetti with Turkey Meatballs
Crockpot Spaghetti with Turkey Meatballs
Equipment
Ingredients
Turkey Meatballs:
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1/3 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic , minced or garlic powder
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese grated
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
Spaghetti & Sauce:
- 1 jar marinara sauce 24 oz
- 1/2 cup water or broth
- 8 oz spaghetti noodles , broken in half
Optional:
- extra Parm and parsley for garnish
Instructions
Mix the Meatballs
- Combine turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, Parmesan, seasoning, and salt & pepper. Roll into 1.5-inch meatballs.
Layer in Crockpot
- Spray slow cooker. Pour 1/3 of sauce on bottom. Add meatballs, top with remaining sauce and water. Do not stir!
Cook Low & Slow
- Cover and cook on LOW 4–5 hours (or HIGH 2.5–3 hours).
Add Spaghetti
- Break spaghetti in half and add to crockpot 30–40 minutes before it’s done. Stir gently, cover, and cook on HIGH until pasta is tender (20–30 mins).
Serve & Enjoy
- Top with more cheese (always) and parsley if you’re feeling a little extra. Serve hot and enjoy the peace of a meal your kids might actually finish.
Notes
Whether you call it Crock Pot Spaghetti, Slow Cooker Spaghetti, or Spaghetti In A Crockpot—it’s just one of those Easy Crockpot Dinners that you’ll come back to again and again. I mean, who knew you could actually Cook Pasta In Crockpot and it wouldn’t turn into a mushy disaster? Not me, but I’m so glad I tried it.
This recipe gives you all the comfort of a classic Spaghetti Recipe, with the chill vibes of a Slow Cooker Pasta meal. The Creamy Spaghetti texture and the juicy meatballs? Literal perfection. And it works whether you’re making it as part of your Sunday prep or tossing it in last-minute on a Tuesday when everything feels like it’s falling apart
So if you’ve been searching for Crockpot Pasta Recipes, Crockpot Spaghetti Recipes Easy, or just a solid Spaghetti In The Crockpot idea that won’t make your life harder—this is it, mama. This is the one.
Let me know if you try it (and especially if your kids actually eat it without bribery—because that deserves a trophy). And hey, if you’ve got your own twist on Crock Pot Recipes Spaghetti or tips for getting Spaghetti Noodles In Crockpot just right, drop it in the comments! We’re all just out here tryin’ to survive dinner together.
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