Description

This Slow Cooker Church Supper Spaghetti is a hearty, comforting dish perfect for large gatherings and potlucks. Ground beef and Italian sausage are browned and combined with onions, garlic, marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, and Italian seasonings, then slow-cooked to develop rich flavors. The spaghetti noodles cook right in the slow cooker until tender, making this an easy, hands-off meal that’s sure to please a crowd. Finished with Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley, it’s a delicious classic spaghetti with a convenient twist.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Vegetables

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound ground beef
1/2 pound Italian sausage (mild or hot, casings removed)
1 medium yellow onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced

Sauce and Seasonings

2 cans (24 ounces each) marinara or spaghetti sauce
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

Pasta and Garnish

12 ounces uncooked spaghetti
3 cups water or low-sodium beef broth
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Brown the Meat and Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and Italian sausage, breaking up the meat with a spoon. Cook for 5-7 minutes until no longer pink. Add diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing for an additional 3-4 minutes until softened. Drain excess fat from the skillet.
Transfer to Slow Cooker and Add Sauce: Transfer the cooked meat mixture to a slow cooker. Stir in marinara sauce, diced tomatoes with juice, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes if using. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours or on high for 2 hours to let flavors meld.
Add Spaghetti and Liquid: Break spaghetti noodles in half and add them to the slow cooker. Pour in 3 cups of water or low-sodium beef broth. Stir gently to submerge the noodles in the liquid as much as possible. Cover and cook on high for 30-40 minutes, stirring halfway through, until noodles are tender.
Finish and Serve: Stir in grated Parmesan cheese thoroughly. Serve immediately, garnished with chopped fresh parsley for freshness and color.

Notes

For added richness, stir in a splash of cream or a dollop of ricotta cheese before serving.
Substitute ground turkey or omit the Italian sausage for a lighter version.
This dish is perfect for potlucks and large family meals.