One Pot Spaghetti with Ground Beef

adminon

 

5-Ingredient Slow Cooker One Pot Spaghetti with Ground Beef

There are certain dinners that never go out of style, and a big plate of homemade spaghetti is certainly one of them. This 5-Ingredient Slow Cooker One Pot Spaghetti with Ground Beef takes everything we love about a classic spaghetti dinner and makes it even easier to prepare. With ground beef, spaghetti, tomato pasta sauce, beef broth, and mozzarella cheese, you have everything you need for a warm, filling family meal.

What makes this recipe especially convenient is that the spaghetti cooks right in the slow cooker along with the beef and tomato sauce. As the noodles soften, they absorb the savory broth and tomato flavors, creating a thick, delicious sauce that clings to every strand. A generous handful of mozzarella melted over the top brings everything together.

It’s the kind of practical dinner I love having in my recipe collection for busy weekdays. There’s no need to boil a separate pot of pasta or spend the evening watching several pans on the stove. Just prepare the beef, add the ingredients, and let the slow cooker do most of the work.

 

Recipe Details

– Servings: 6
– Prep Time: 15 minutes
– Cook Time: 1½–2½ hours
– Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes–2 hours 45 minutes
– Cooking Method: Slow Cooker

 

Ingredients

– 1 lb lean ground beef (85–90% lean)
– 12 oz uncooked spaghetti, broken in half
– 1 jar (24 oz) tomato pasta sauce
– 3 cups beef broth
– 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

 

Directions

1. Brown the ground beef

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and break it into small crumbles using a wooden spoon. Cook until completely browned and no longer pink. Drain off any excess grease to keep the finished sauce from becoming oily.

2. Prepare the sauce

Transfer the cooked ground beef to a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker. Pour in the pasta sauce and beef broth. Stir everything together until the beef is evenly distributed throughout the tomato sauce.

3. Add the spaghetti

Break the uncooked spaghetti noodles in half and arrange them in the slow cooker. Spread them out as evenly as possible, then gently press them down into the liquid. Make sure most of the noodles are covered so they cook more evenly.

4. Cook until the pasta is tender

Cover and cook on HIGH for approximately 1½–2½ hours. After about 45 minutes, gently stir the spaghetti to separate any noodles that may be sticking together.

Check the pasta regularly toward the end of cooking. The spaghetti should be tender but still hold its shape, and the sauce should be thick enough to coat the noodles. If the liquid gets too low before the pasta is cooked, add a little hot beef broth.

5. Add the mozzarella cheese

Once the spaghetti is cooked to your liking, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly over the top. Cover and cook for another 5–10 minutes, or until the cheese has melted.

6. Serve and enjoy

Turn off the slow cooker and gently toss the spaghetti to distribute the sauce and melted cheese. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving. Spoon into bowls and enjoy while warm.

 

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

– Only five main ingredients: Everything comes from everyday grocery store staples, making this an easy dinner to plan and prepare.
– One-pot convenience: The spaghetti cooks directly in the slow cooker, saving you from washing an additional pasta pot.
– Hearty and satisfying: Ground beef adds plenty of savory flavor and makes this a filling meal for the whole family.
– Rich tomato sauce: The noodles absorb the beef broth and pasta sauce as they cook, giving every bite plenty of flavor.
– Cheesy finish: Melted mozzarella adds a creamy, delicious topping that makes the spaghetti even more comforting.
– Great for busy evenings: Once everything is in the slow cooker, you can spend less time preparing dinner and more time enjoying the evening.

 

Variations & Tips

– Use ground turkey: For a different flavor, replace the ground beef with ground turkey. Brown it first and drain any excess liquid before adding it to the slow cooker.
– Try Italian sausage: Ground Italian sausage makes a flavorful alternative if you enjoy a richer, more seasoned pasta sauce.
– Change the cheese: Mozzarella works beautifully, but an Italian cheese blend can also give the spaghetti a delicious cheesy topping.
– Add vegetables: Sliced mushrooms, diced bell peppers, or fresh spinach are easy additions. Add spinach toward the end so it doesn’t become overly soft.
– Choose your favorite pasta sauce: Traditional marinara, tomato basil, and roasted garlic pasta sauces all work nicely.
– Break the spaghetti in half: This makes the noodles easier to arrange and distribute in the slow cooker.
– Keep the noodles submerged: Press the spaghetti gently into the liquid to help it soften evenly.
– Avoid overcooking: Slow cookers can vary in temperature, so begin checking the noodles early. Once tender, turn off the heat to prevent them from becoming mushy.

 

Storage & Reheating

Refrigerator: Allow leftover spaghetti to cool slightly and transfer it to airtight containers. Refrigerate within 2 hours and enjoy within 3–4 days.

Reheating: The noodles will continue absorbing sauce as they sit, so add a splash of beef broth or water before reheating. Microwave individual portions, stirring halfway through, until heated to 165°F. You can also warm larger portions in a covered skillet over low heat.

Freezing: You can freeze leftover spaghetti in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Keep in mind that the pasta may become softer after thawing and reheating.

Make Ahead: Brown the ground beef ahead of time and refrigerate it until you’re ready to prepare dinner. You can also measure out the sauce, broth, and cheese in advance to make assembly quicker.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes! Although spaghetti is traditional for this recipe, you can experiment with other pasta shapes. Short pasta such as penne or rotini may require a different cooking time and liquid adjustment, so check for tenderness as it cooks.

Do I have to brown the ground beef first?

I recommend it. Browning the beef in a skillet develops a deeper flavor and allows you to drain away excess grease before adding it to the slow cooker.

Can I cook this recipe on LOW?

HIGH is recommended for this recipe because the spaghetti cooks directly in the sauce. Cooking on LOW may take considerably longer and can make the noodles unevenly soft. If you want to use LOW, it’s better to prepare the meat sauce separately and cook the spaghetti just before serving.

Why is my spaghetti still hard?

The noodles may not be fully covered by the cooking liquid, or your slow cooker may be running at a lower temperature. Gently press the noodles into the sauce and add a little hot broth if needed. Continue cooking and check frequently.

How do I keep the spaghetti from sticking together?

Spread the noodles out as evenly as possible before cooking. Give them a gentle stir after approximately 45 minutes to separate any strands that may have stuck together.

Can I make this recipe without mozzarella?

Absolutely. The mozzarella gives the spaghetti a creamy, cheesy finish, but you can leave it out or use shredded cheddar or an Italian cheese blend instead.

 

Final Thoughts

This 5-Ingredient Slow Cooker One Pot Spaghetti with Ground Beef is the kind of dependable family dinner that makes busy evenings a little easier. It brings together familiar ingredients, a hearty tomato and beef sauce, tender spaghetti, and plenty of melted cheese without requiring a complicated cooking routine.

I love how everything comes together in one slow cooker, especially on evenings when nobody wants to spend extra time washing dishes. Add some garlic bread and a fresh green salad, and you have a satisfying homemade dinner that everyone can gather around the table to enjoy. It’s simple, comforting, budget-friendly, and a wonderful recipe to keep close for those nights when easy cooking is exactly what you need.