Description

This Slow Cooker Spaghetti Casserole is an effortless, comforting, and flavorful one-dish meal perfect for busy nights. Combining classic spaghetti ingredients layered with rich tomato sauce, creamy cheeses, and savory browned meat, it cooks low and slow to tender perfection. Enjoy a cheesy, hearty dinner with minimal prep and flexible options for customization.

Ingredients

Scale

Base Ingredients

8 ounces uncooked spaghetti noodles, broken in half
1 pound ground beef or turkey
3 cups marinara or spaghetti sauce
1 cup ricotta or cottage cheese
1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Aromatics & Seasonings

1 medium onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper, to taste

Liquids

2 to 2 ½ cups water or broth (enough to cover noodles)

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Instructions

Prepare the base: In a skillet, sauté chopped onions and minced garlic until translucent and fragrant. Add the ground beef or turkey and brown thoroughly. Drain any excess fat to keep the casserole from becoming greasy.
Layer your slow cooker: Spread half of the broken uncooked spaghetti noodles evenly on the bottom of the slow cooker. Add half of the browned meat mixture on top, followed by half of the marinara sauce. Dollop ricotta or cottage cheese over the sauce, then sprinkle with Italian seasoning.
Repeat layers: Add the remaining spaghetti noodles, then the rest of the browned meat mixture, followed by the remaining marinara sauce and more ricotta or cottage cheese. Sprinkle with remaining Italian seasoning if desired.
Add liquid: Pour enough water or broth over the layers to just cover the noodles. Gently stir to combine ingredients evenly for consistent cooking.
Cook low and slow: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 4 to 5 hours, or until the pasta is tender and the sauce is bubbly. Avoid opening the lid frequently to prevent extended cooking time.
Finish with cheese: About 15 minutes before serving, sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top. Cover again and allow the cheese to melt into a gooey, delicious topping.

Notes

Break the spaghetti noodles before layering for even cooking and easy serving.
Spread ingredients evenly in layers to ensure a balanced flavor in every bite.
Use low heat to prevent noodles from overcooking and becoming mushy.
Adding cheese at the end creates a perfect melty, golden topping.
Brown meat ahead of time to save prep time on busy days.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 4 to 5 hours
Category: Main Course
Method: Slow Cooking
Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 450 kcal
Sugar: 8 g
Sodium: 700 mg
Fat: 18 g
Saturated Fat: 9 g
Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 42 g
Fiber: 4 g
Protein: 30 g
Cholesterol: 75 mg