Description
A simple and delicious slow cooker cheesy spaghetti recipe that requires minimal effort and only four ingredients. Perfect for busy weeknights when you want a comforting, hearty meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound of spaghetti
- 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 jar (24 oz) of your favorite pasta sauce
- 1 pound of ground beef or turkey
Instructions
- Brown the Meat
- Brown the ground beef or turkey in a skillet over medium heat until fully cooked, breaking it apart with a spatula as it cooks. This should take about 5-7 minutes. Once cooked through, drain any excess fat to prevent your final dish from becoming greasy.
- Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker
- Transfer the cooked meat to your slow cooker. Add the pasta sauce and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Stir well to ensure all ingredients are thoroughly combined, creating a rich meat sauce base for your pasta.
- Add Spaghetti
- Break the spaghetti in half (this makes it easier to stir and serve later) and add it to the slow cooker. Mix everything together until the pasta is well coated with the sauce. This ensures even cooking and prevents the pasta from sticking together.
- Cook Until Tender
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. The pasta is done when it’s tender but still has a slight firmness (al dente). Different slow cookers may vary in temperature, so check the pasta after 2 hours.
- Add Remaining Cheese
- About 15 minutes before you’re ready to serve, sprinkle the remaining cup of cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the spaghetti. Cover again and let it cook until the cheese is completely melted and slightly bubbly, creating a delicious cheesy topping.
Notes
- For best results, use a slow cooker with a capacity of at least 6 quarts.
- If the mixture seems too dry during cooking, add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of water or chicken broth.
- For extra flavor, consider adding Italian seasoning, garlic powder, or onion powder.
- This dish can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezes well for up to 3 months if sealed properly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
- Category: Main-course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 65mg