Crock Cooker Spaghetti and Meatballs is a dish that embodies the convenience and comfort of slow-cooked meals. The recipe allows spaghetti and meatballs to simmer and develop flavours over an extended period, usually several hours, in a crock pot or a slow cooker. This method of cooking not only infuses the meatballs with the rich tomato sauce but also ensures that the meat is tender and succulent.
The typical process begins with preparing meatballs, which could include a mixture of ground meats, breadcrumbs, eggs, and seasoning. These are often browned in a pan before being placed into the crock cooker. The sauce, usually a tomato-based variety, may include ingredients such as crushed tomatoes, garlic, onions, herbs, and seasoning. Layering the sauce and meatballs in the crock cooker allows the flavors to meld together.
This hands-off cooking approach benefits busy individuals and families, as the process does not require constant attention. It’s a perfect recipe for those who wish to come home to a ready-meal that has cooked throughout the day. When the cooking time is nearing completion, spaghetti is cooked separately and then either mixed into the sauce and meatballs or served as a bed beneath the saucy meatballs.
Crock Cooker Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe
Crock Cooker Spaghetti and Meatballs
Spaghetti and meatballs is a classic Italian-American comfort dish, usually cooked on the stovetop or in the oven. However, preparing this meal in a slow cooker, or Crock-Pot, allows for a convenient set-it-and-forget-it approach, which can be particularly useful for busy individuals or for allowing flavors to meld over several hours.
Equipment
- 1 large crock cooker
Ingredients
- 28 ounces tomato sauce
- 6 cloves garlic minced
- 1 medium yellow onion diced
- 1 pinchcrushed red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper freshly ground
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 3-lb. spaghetti squash halved horizontally and seeds removed
- 2 lbs Italian sausage meat
- 2 tbsp parsley chopped
Instructions
- Pour the tomato sauce into a large crock cooker. Add next 8 ingredients (garlic through coconut oil); stir to blend well. Next, place the two halves of spaghetti squash, cut-sides down, in the crock cooker. Roll the sausage meat into 1-inch meatballs and arrange them around the squash in the crock cooker, ensuring they are covered in sauce. Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours.
- When ready to serve, remove spaghetti squash from crock cooker and shred with two forks. Arrange squash on dinner plates; top with meatballs and sauce then garnish with parsley.
Tips for making about Crock Cooker Spaghetti and Meatballs
Cooking tips
- Meatball Mixture: Use a combination of ground meats for your meatballs, such as beef and pork, to get a good mix of flavors and fats. Incorporate breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, eggs, and herbs such as parsley or basil for added moisture and flavor.
- Browning the Meatballs: If you have the time, brown the meatballs in a skillet before placing them in the crock cooker. This step adds a depth of flavor and helps the meatballs hold their shape better during the slow cooking process.
- Sauce Ingredients: For a flavorful sauce, use quality canned tomatoes and consider adding tomato paste for richness. Don’t shy away from generous amounts of garlic, onion, and Italian seasonings like oregano, basil, and thyme.
- Layering: Place some sauce at the bottom of the crock cooker before adding your meatballs. Pour the remaining sauce over the top to ensure they’re well-coated. This helps all the meatballs cook evenly in the sauce.
- Cooking Time: A longer cook time on a low setting allows the flavors to meld beautifully and the meatballs to become very tender without falling apart. Typically, this can mean 6-8 hours on low.
- Pasta Preparation: Cook spaghetti separately when the meatballs are nearly done; don’t add uncooked pasta directly into the crock cooker as it can become mushy and overcooked.
- Serving: Mix the freshly cooked and drained spaghetti with the meatballs and sauce, or place the spaghetti on a plate and spoon the meatballs and sauce on top. Either way allows for the pasta to absorb some of the sauce’s flavors.
- Garnishing: Top off the dish with a sprinkle of fresh basil and grated Parmesan cheese for an extra touch of flavor and a visually appealing presentation.
Serving suggestions
- Plated Service: Serve a portion of spaghetti on each plate and ladle the meatballs and sauce over the top. This allows each person to have an evenly distributed amount of spaghetti, meatballs, and sauce.
- Family-Style Serving: Place the cooked spaghetti on a large serving platter and spoon the meatballs and sauce over the top. Garnish with fresh herbs like basil or parsley. Serve family-style at the table for a casual and communal dining experience.
- Garnishes: Grated Parmesan cheese or Pecorino Romano can be offered on the side, allowing diners to sprinkle cheese on their portions to taste. Adding freshly chopped basil or parsley not only provides a pop of color but also a fresh flavor to complement the rich sauce and meatballs.
- Side Dishes: Consider pairing Crock Cooker Spaghetti and Meatballs with a crisp side salad dressed with a light vinaigrette to balance the richness of the meal. Garlic bread or cheesy garlic knots are another excellent side that provides a delicious way to soak up any extra sauce.
- Alternative Presentations: For a twist, serve the meatballs as a sub sandwich by placing them with some sauce in a hoagie roll and top with melted mozzarella cheese.
- Accommodation for Dietary Restrictions: If catering to gluten-free diners, substitute traditional pasta with gluten-free spaghetti or spiralized vegetable noodles like zucchini noodles.
Top 5 FAQs about Crock Cooker Spaghetti and Meatballs
- What is the advantage of cooking spaghetti and meatballs in a crock cooker? The primary advantage is convenience. Using a crock cooker allows the flavors to develop more deeply over time, without the need for the constant attention that stovetop cooking requires. It also keeps the kitchen cooler and frees up the oven and stove for other uses.
- Can I put raw meatballs directly into the crock cooker? Yes, it’s possible to put raw meatballs directly in the crock cooker, although browning them first can add depth of flavor and help them maintain their shape during the slow cooking process.
- How long should I cook spaghetti and meatballs in my crock cooker? The optimal cooking time for spaghetti and meatballs in a crock cooker is generally around 6-8 hours on a low setting. This slow cooking process helps tenderize the meatballs and allows the sauce’s flavors to blend nicely.
- Should I cook the pasta in the crock cooker as well? It’s not recommended to cook pasta in the crock cooker as it can become mushy and overcooked. Instead, prepare the spaghetti separately when the meatballs are nearly done, and then mix it with the sauce and meatballs or serve it as a base for the sauce and meatballs on top.
- How do you store and reheat leftover Crock Cooker Spaghetti and Meatballs? Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. For reheating, place the desired portion in a microwave-safe dish and heat it until it is hot throughout. Alternatively, reheat on the stovetop over medium heat until fully warmed, adding a splash of water if necessary to keep it from drying out.