Slow Cooker Church Supper Spaghetti
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 4–6 hours
Serves: 8–10
Ingredients:
2 lbs ground beef (or Italian sausage)
1 medium onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 (24 oz) jars pasta sauce (your favorite kind)
1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes (optional)
2 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp sugar (balances acidity)
1 tsp salt, or to taste
½ tsp black pepper
1 lb spaghetti noodles, broken in half
4 cups water or low-sodium beef broth
1 cup shredded mozzarella (optional, for topping)
½ cup grated Parmesan (optional, for serving)
Fresh basil or parsley (for garnish)
Instructions:
1. Brown the Meat:
In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef with diced onion and garlic until browned. Drain any excess fat.
2. Transfer to Slow Cooker:
Add the cooked meat mixture to your slow cooker. Stir in pasta sauce, diced tomatoes (if using), Italian seasoning, sugar, salt, and pepper.
3. Slow Cook:
Cover and cook on LOW for 4–5 hours or HIGH for 2–3 hours.
4. Add Pasta:
About 30–40 minutes before serving, stir in broken spaghetti noodles and water (or broth). Press the noodles down to ensure they’re covered with sauce.
5. Finish Cooking:
Cover and continue cooking on HIGH for 30–40 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until noodles are tender.
6. Cheesy Option:
If desired, sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top during the last 10 minutes of cooking and let it melt.
7. Serve:
Serve hot, garnished with grated Parmesan and fresh herbs.
Tips:
For a creamy twist, stir in ½ cup of cream cheese or ricotta at the end.
You can double the recipe in a large slow cooker for bigger gatherings.
Make ahead: Brown meat and mix with sauce the night before. Refrigerate and start cooking the next morning.