If you’re craving a hearty, comforting dinner that’s as easy to throw together as it is delicious, this Slow Cooker Spaghetti Casserole Recipe is your new best friend. Imagine tender spaghetti noodles soaked in rich, flavorful meat sauce, all slow-cooked to perfection and topped with melty, golden cheese — it’s everything you love about spaghetti night, simplified and made hands-free. Whether it’s a busy weeknight or a weekend family gathering, this casserole delivers warm, satisfying flavors that everyone will adore.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe shines because it uses simple, familiar ingredients that each bring something special to the dish. From the savory meats to the blend of cheeses, every component is essential to building layers of deliciousness and creating the perfect texture and color.
- 1 pound ground beef: Adds rich, juicy flavor and a meaty texture that forms the base of the casserole.
- 1 pound Italian sausage (casings removed): Brings a robust, herby depth that complements the ground beef beautifully.
- 8 ounces uncooked spaghetti (broken into thirds): Provides the classic pasta foundation in manageable pieces for the slow cooker.
- 1 (26-oz) jar spaghetti sauce: Offers a familiar, tangy tomato element that ties everything together.
- 1 (14.5-oz) can petite diced tomatoes, undrained: Adds texture and a fresh burst of tomato flavor.
- ½ cup water: Prevents the sauce from thickening too much and helps the pasta cook evenly.
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning: Infuses the dish with classic Mediterranean herbs for a bright, savory note.
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese: Melts into creamy pockets of cheesy goodness throughout the casserole.
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese: Sprinkled on top for a sharp, nutty finish that browns beautifully.
How to Make Slow Cooker Spaghetti Casserole Recipe
Step 1: Brown the Meats
Start by cooking the ground beef and Italian sausage in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking them apart as they cook. Stir until the meat is thoroughly browned and no pink remains. Draining the excess fat is key here—it keeps the casserole from feeling greasy and lets the sauce shine. Once drained, return the meat to the skillet to combine with the sauce ingredients.
Step 2: Prepare the Sauce Mixture
To the browned meat, add your jar of spaghetti sauce, canned petite diced tomatoes (with their juice for extra moisture), water, and dried Italian seasoning. Stir everything together until well mixed. This sauce is where the magic happens—it’s rich, hearty, and perfectly infused with herbs that will slowly meld during cooking.
Step 3: Layer the Casserole
Lightly grease your slow cooker to prevent sticking, then spoon half of the meat sauce mixture onto the bottom. Sprinkle the uncooked spaghetti broken into thirds evenly over this layer. Finally, pour the remaining meat sauce on top, ensuring the noodles are well coated by the delicious sauce.
Step 4: Add Cheese and Cook
Generously sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese and freshly grated Parmesan over the top of the casserole. Cover with the lid and cook everything on low for 4 hours. This slow cooking time ensures the spaghetti texture turns tender, the flavors deepen, and the cheese melts into a bubbly, golden topping. Let the casserole stand for 10 minutes after cooking—it helps everything set beautifully before serving.
How to Serve Slow Cooker Spaghetti Casserole Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh garnishes really elevate this dish. A handful of chopped fresh basil or parsley adds a pop of color and a fresh herbal note. For a little extra zing, a sprinkle of red pepper flakes or a drizzle of good olive oil can bring a subtle kick and richness that perfectly balances the cheesy casserole.
Side Dishes
This casserole is a meal on its own, but pairing it with crisp, refreshing sides like a simple green salad or steamed vegetables adds a nice textural contrast. Garlic bread or warm dinner rolls are fantastic for sopping up every bit of that delicious sauce, keeping everyone happy and full.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to dress this up for guests or special occasions, serve individual portions in small oven-safe ramekins. Top each with a little extra Parmesan and broil just before serving for a bubbly, golden crust. Another fun twist is to mix in sliced olives or mushrooms to the meat sauce before cooking for added flavor complexity.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
This Slow Cooker Spaghetti Casserole Recipe reheats beautifully and keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days. Store any leftovers in an airtight container to preserve moisture and freshness.
Freezing
If you want to prepare this casserole well in advance, it freezes perfectly. Just portion it into freezer-safe containers before cooking and thaw overnight in the fridge when ready to use. You can also freeze cooked leftovers for up to 2 months.
Reheating
To reheat, gently warm leftovers in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of water to keep the sauce from drying out. If reheating from frozen, thaw first to ensure even warming. The flavors and cheesy goodness remain just as comforting the second time around.
FAQs
Can I use other types of pasta for this recipe?
Absolutely! While spaghetti works best for this casserole’s texture, you can swap in penne, rotini, or any short pasta you prefer. Just make sure to break longer noodles into manageable pieces to cook evenly in the slow cooker.
Is it necessary to brown the meat before adding it to the slow cooker?
Browning the meat first is highly recommended because it adds flavor and helps remove excess fat. It also prevents your casserole from becoming too greasy, ensuring a rich, balanced taste.
Can I make this casserole vegetarian?
Definitely! You can replace the ground beef and Italian sausage with plant-based meat alternatives or simply load up on mushrooms, lentils, or beans. Adjust the seasonings to maintain bold, robust flavors.
How do I know when the spaghetti is fully cooked?
Cook time and noodle size are key. This recipe calls for breaking the spaghetti into thirds so it cooks evenly in 4 hours on low. After cooking, the noodles should be tender but not mushy. Letting it stand uncovered for 10 minutes helps the casserole finish setting nicely.
Can I double this Slow Cooker Spaghetti Casserole Recipe for a larger crowd?
You can, but be mindful of your slow cooker capacity—it should not be more than 2/3 full to ensure even cooking. If doubling, consider using two slow cookers or a larger one to avoid overcrowding.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about the ease and warmth this Slow Cooker Spaghetti Casserole Recipe brings to the table. It’s a perfect blend of comfort, convenience, and crowd-pleasing flavor that will quickly become a staple in your family’s dinner rotation. So go ahead and give it a try—you’ll be delighted by how this simple slow cooker magic turns a beloved classic into a hands-off, soul-satisfying feast.
Print
Slow Cooker Spaghetti Casserole Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
This Slow Cooker Spaghetti Casserole is a hearty and comforting one-pot meal that combines ground beef, Italian sausage, spaghetti, and a rich tomato sauce, all slow-cooked to perfection and topped with a blend of cheddar and Parmesan cheeses. Perfect for a family dinner with minimal hands-on time.
Ingredients
Meat
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
Pasta and Sauce
- 8 oz uncooked spaghetti, broken into thirds
- 1 (26-oz) jar spaghetti sauce
- 1 (14.5-oz) can petite diced tomatoes, undrained
- ½ cup water
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
Cheese
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the meat: In a large skillet, cook the ground beef and Italian sausage over medium heat, stirring frequently until the meat is fully browned and crumbled, with no pink remaining. Drain the excess fat and return the meat to the skillet.
- Prepare the sauce mixture: Stir in the jarred spaghetti sauce, undrained petite diced tomatoes, water, and dried Italian seasoning into the cooked meat. Mix thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
- Layer in the slow cooker: Lightly grease a 6-quart slow cooker. Spoon half of the meat and sauce mixture into the bottom of the slow cooker. Spread the broken spaghetti evenly over this layer, then spoon the remaining meat mixture on top of the pasta.
- Add the cheese: Evenly sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese and freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the top layer of meat and spaghetti.
- Cook the casserole: Cover the slow cooker and cook on Low for 4 hours, allowing the spaghetti to soften and flavors to meld together.
- Rest before serving: After cooking, let the casserole stand covered for 10 minutes to set before serving.
Notes
- For best results, use a slow cooker of at least 6-quart capacity to prevent overflow.
- Breaking spaghetti into thirds ensures it cooks evenly in the slow cooker.
- You can substitute part of the cheddar cheese with mozzarella for a different cheese flavor.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, add red pepper flakes with the Italian seasoning.
- Ensure the sausage casings are removed before cooking to avoid chewy texture.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the microwave or oven.
