Hearty Slow-Cooked Spaghetti & Savory Meatballs
Gather your family around the dinner table with this comforting recipe for Hearty Slow-Cooked Spaghetti & Savory Meatballs. Born out of a delightful surprise visit from my son and his boys, this dish became an instant favorite among my loved ones! The rich, robust flavors of the slow-simmered meatballs combined with a luscious tomato sauce create a meal that's not only satisfying but also easy to prepare. Simply toss your ingredients into the crock pot, and let the magic happen while you attend to other tasks. When it's time to eat, boil the spaghetti, and in no time, you'll have a delicious dinner to share with family and friends. Perfect for large gatherings or feeding a hungry crowd, this recipe serves six and is a guaranteed keeper for your regular meal rotation.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
red spaghetti sauce
26 ounces (ready to use)
diced tomatoes
14.5 ounces (canned, with juice)
onion
1 large (chopped)
bottled minced garlic
1 tablespoon (ready to use)
dried Italian seasoning
1.5 teaspoons (ready to use)
frozen meatballs
24 meatballs (approximately 3/4 pound) (frozen, ready to add)
spaghetti
12 ounces (dry)
Parmesan cheese
to taste (grated, optional for serving)
olive oil
to taste (optional, for tossing pasta)
Instructions
1
Start by pouring the spaghetti sauce and the diced tomatoes (with their juice) into the slow cooker.
2
Chop the large onion into small pieces and add them to the sauce along with the minced garlic and dried Italian seasoning. Stir this mixture until well combined.
3
Next, add the frozen meatballs directly into the sauce mixture, stirring gently to ensure the meatballs are fully coated with sauce.
4
Cover the slow cooker and set it to LOW. Allow the dish to cook for 7-8 hours, letting the flavors meld together beautifully.
5
About 20 minutes before serving, cook the spaghetti according to the package directions until al dente. Alternatively, you can prepare the spaghetti in advance and reheat it right before serving.
6
Once the spaghetti is cooked, drain it and toss it with a little olive oil to prevent sticking. Serve generous portions of the sauce and meatballs over the spaghetti on each plate.
7
Finally, set out some grated Parmesan cheese for guests to sprinkle on top as desired.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the name of this recipe?
The name of the recipe is Hearty Slow-Cooked Spaghetti & Savory Meatballs.
Who is this recipe best suited for?
This recipe is perfect for families, large gatherings, or feeding a hungry crowd of about six people.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe is designed to serve six people.
What are the primary ingredients needed?
The primary ingredients include red spaghetti sauce, diced tomatoes, onion, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, frozen meatballs, and spaghetti.
What appliance is required for this dish?
You will need a slow cooker or crock pot to cook the sauce and meatballs, and a pot to boil the pasta.
How long should the dish cook in the slow cooker?
The sauce and meatballs should cook on the LOW setting for 7 to 8 hours.
Do I need to defrost the meatballs?
No, you can add the frozen meatballs directly into the sauce mixture in the slow cooker.
What size onion is required?
The recipe calls for one large onion, chopped into small pieces.
Should I drain the canned tomatoes?
No, add the diced tomatoes along with their juice into the slow cooker.
How much minced garlic should be used?
Use one tablespoon of bottled minced garlic for this recipe.
What seasoning provides the Italian flavor?
The dish uses 1.5 teaspoons of dried Italian seasoning.
How much spaghetti sauce is required?
You will need one 26-ounce jar of red spaghetti sauce.
How many meatballs are included in the recipe?
The recipe recommends 24 frozen meatballs, which is approximately 3/4 pound.
How much spaghetti should I prepare?
Use 12 ounces of dry spaghetti for this meal.
When should I start boiling the spaghetti?
Start cooking the spaghetti according to the package directions about 20 minutes before you plan to serve.
Can I prepare the spaghetti in advance?
Yes, you can cook the spaghetti in advance and simply reheat it right before serving.
How do I prevent the spaghetti from sticking together?
After draining the spaghetti, toss it with a little olive oil to prevent sticking.
What is the ideal texture for the cooked spaghetti?
The spaghetti should be cooked until it is al dente.
Is there a recommended cheese topping?
Grated Parmesan cheese is recommended for guests to sprinkle on top of their plates as desired.
What are the tags associated with this recipe?
The tags include spaghetti, meatballs, crock pot, slow cooker, family meal, italian cuisine, comfort food, easy dinner, and one-pot meal.
Is this a difficult recipe to make?
No, it is very easy; you simply toss the ingredients into the slow cooker and let it cook while you attend to other tasks.
Can I use fresh garlic instead of bottled?
Yes, you can substitute fresh minced garlic for the bottled minced garlic if you prefer.
What is the first step in the instructions?
The first step is to pour the spaghetti sauce and diced tomatoes into the slow cooker.
How do I ensure the meatballs are well-seasoned?
Stir the frozen meatballs gently into the sauce mixture until they are fully coated.
Is this dish considered comfort food?
Yes, it is described as a comforting dish with rich, robust flavors.
Can I cook this recipe on the HIGH setting?
The recipe specifically recommends the LOW setting for 7 to 8 hours to let the flavors meld beautifully.
Can I add more meatballs if needed?
Yes, you can increase the number of meatballs if you are feeding a larger crowd, provided they fit in your slow cooker.
Does this recipe include any fresh vegetables?
The recipe includes one large chopped onion.
Is this recipe suitable for meal rotation?
Yes, the description states it is a guaranteed keeper for your regular meal rotation.
How should the final dish be plated?
Serve generous portions of the slow-cooked sauce and meatballs over the spaghetti on each individual plate.