Best 2 Slow Cooker Spaghetti Meatballs Recipes

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Slow cooker spaghetti meatballs is a classic comfort food dish that is easy to prepare and cook. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a delicious meal that the whole family will love. The slow cooker does all the work, so you can sit back and relax while your meal cooks. This hearty dish is perfect for a busy weeknight dinner or a casual get-together with friends.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

SLOW-COOKER SPAGHETTI & MEATBALLS



Slow-Cooker Spaghetti & Meatballs image

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

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 5h50m

Yield 12 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 19

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

Steps:

  • 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 the 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 5-6 hours, until meatballs are cooked through., Remove bay leaves. Serve with spaghetti.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 250 calories, Fat 11g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 79mg cholesterol, Sodium 1116mg sodium, Carbohydrate 20g carbohydrate (7g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 20g protein.

SLOW COOKER SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS



Slow Cooker Spaghetti and Meatballs image

Using a mixture of uncased sausage and ground beef is the trick to achieving tender, flavorful meatballs without a lot of work or extra ingredients. These three-inch meatballs are oversize, so they can stay moist and tender after cooking for an extended period. This way, they also fit in the slow cooker in one layer, which helps them cook evenly. Choose any kind of turkey sausage you like best; sweet or hot Italian are both great choices. (Pork will work too, but will make the sauce a little oily.) Fear not, the spaghetti is cooked separately, so you can serve these meatballs over any long noodle for a traditional take, or spoon them over polenta or tuck them into hero rolls.

Provided by Sarah DiGregorio

Categories     dinner, meat, pastas, main course

Time 2h

Yield 5 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 17

1/4 cup tomato paste
3 tablespoons dry red wine
1 cup panko bread crumbs
1 cup finely chopped flat-leaf parsley (about 1/2 bunch)
4 ounces grated Parmesan (1 to 1 1/4 cups), plus more for serving
1/2 medium onion, coarsely grated (about 1/3 cup)
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons whole milk
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
1/2 to 1 teaspoon red-pepper flakes
Kosher salt and black pepper
1 pound bulk fresh sweet or hot Italian turkey sausage
1 pound ground beef (10 to 20 percent fat)
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
2 sprigs fresh basil, plus more for serving
1 pound dried spaghetti, for serving

Steps:

  • In a 6- to 8-quart slow cooker, whisk together the tomato paste and red wine. In a bowl, stir together the panko, parsley, Parmesan, grated onion, eggs, milk, garlic, vinegar and red-pepper flakes. Season with 3/4 teaspoon salt and a generous amount of black pepper.
  • Add the sausage and ground beef to the panko mixture, and gently mix using your hands just until all the ingredients are uniformly combined. (Don't overmix, or you'll end up with tough meatballs.) Form the mixture into 7 (3-inch) gently packed meatballs, and place them in the slow cooker. (They should fit snugly in one layer.) Pour the crushed tomatoes all over the top of the meatballs, then add the basil sprigs to the slow cooker. Cover, and cook on low for 4 hours.
  • When ready to serve, cook the spaghetti according to the package directions in boiling, salted water and drain. Increase the slow cooker heat to high. Using a slotted spoon, remove the meatballs to a bowl. Discard the basil sprigs from the sauce. If there is more oil on the surface of the sauce than you'd like, use a ladle to skim it off and discard it. Add the drained pasta to the sauce and toss to coat the pasta evenly. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Add the meatballs back to the slow cooker and stir gently to combine. Serve the spaghetti and meatballs with more grated Parmesan and torn basil leaves for topping.

Tips:

  • Choose high-quality ingredients for the best flavor. Grass-fed beef, organic vegetables, and fresh herbs will make a big difference in the overall taste of the dish.
  • Brown the meatballs before adding them to the slow cooker. This will help to seal in the flavor and prevent them from becoming dry.
  • Use a variety of spices and herbs to flavor the sauce. Italian seasoning, garlic, onion powder, and basil are all classic choices.
  • Let the sauce simmer for at least 4 hours on low heat. This will allow the flavors to meld and develop.
  • Serve the spaghetti and meatballs with a side of crusty bread or garlic bread.

Conclusion:

This slow cooker spaghetti and meatballs recipe is an easy and delicious meal that is perfect for a busy weeknight. With just a few simple steps, you can have a hearty and flavorful meal on the table in no time. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy dinner idea, give this recipe a try.

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