Slow-Cooker Spaghetti and Meatballs

Name: Slow-Cooker Spaghetti and Meatballs
Prep time: 50 min
Cook time: 5 h
Total time: 5 h 50 min
Yield: 12 servings
Cuisine: Europe, Italian
Ingredients: 1 cup seasoned bread crumbs; 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan and Romano cheese blend; 1 teaspoon pepper; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 2 large eggs, lightly beaten; 2 pounds ground beef; SAUCE:; 1 large onion, finely chopped; 1 medium green pepper, finely chopped; 3 cans (15 ounces each) tomato sauce; 2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) diced tomatoes, undrained; 1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste; 6 garlic cloves, minced; 2 bay leaves; 1 teaspoon each dried basil, oregano and parsley flakes; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon pepper; 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes; Hot cooked spaghetti

Total Time Prep: 50 min. Cook: 5 hours

Yield 12 servings

Test Kitchen Approved

Low-and-slow cooking is the key to achieving tender, flavorful meatballs in this slow-cooker spaghetti and meatballs recipe. Make homemade meatballs, or swap in store-bought frozen meatballs if you're running short on time.

Ingredients

1 cup seasoned bread crumbs
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan and Romano cheese blend
1 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 pounds ground beef
SAUCE:
1 large onion, finely chopped
1 medium green pepper, finely chopped
3 cans (15 ounces each) tomato sauce
2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
6 garlic cloves, minced
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon each dried basil, oregano and parsley flakes
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Hot cooked spaghetti

Directions

In a large bowl, mix bread crumbs, cheese, pepper and salt; stir in eggs. Add beef; mix lightly but thoroughly. Shape into 1-1/2-in. balls. In a large skillet, brown meatballs in batches over medium heat; drain.
Place first 5 sauce ingredients in a 6-qt. slow cooker; stir in garlic and seasonings. Add meatballs, stirring gently to coat. Cook, covered, on low for 5-6 hours or until meatballs are cooked through.
Discard bay leaves. Serve meatballs and sauce with spaghetti.

Nutrition Facts

About 3 meatballs with 3/4 cup sauce: 250 calories, 11g fat (4g saturated fat), 79mg cholesterol, 1116mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 4g fiber), 20g protein.

I’ve been cooking for 50 years, and this dish is still one that guests request frequently. It is my No. 1 standby recipe and also makes amazing meatball sandwiches. The sauce works for any type of pasta. —Jane Whittaker, Pensacola, Florida

Recipe Creator

Community Cook