Print

Slow Cooker Baked Spaghetti {Million Dollar Spaghetti} Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 57 reviews

This Slow Cooker Baked Spaghetti, also known as Million Dollar Spaghetti, is a comforting and cheesy pasta dish that combines rich marinara sauce, browned ground beef, tender spaghetti noodles, and a creamy blend of cheeses. The slow cooker method infuses deep flavors during a 6-hour simmer, followed by a final bake with creamy ricotta, cream cheese, and mozzarella for a luscious finish. Perfect for an easy weeknight meal with minimal hands-on time.

Ingredients

Scale

Sauce and Meat

  • 48 oz. Pasta Sauce (Such as Ragu Old World Style, Newman’s Own Marinara, or Rao’s Marinara)
  • 1 1/2 lbs. ground beef
  • 1/2 cup diced white onion
  • 1 minced garlic clove
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 1/4 tsp. black pepper
  • 1 tsp. dried oregano
  • 1 tsp. dried basil

Pasta

  • 1 lb. spaghetti noodles

Cheese Mixture

  • 4 ounces cream cheese (about 1/2 cup)
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

  1. Prepare Sauce and Meat: Pour the jars of pasta sauce into the slow cooker. In a large skillet set over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef and diced white onion together. Once the meat is browned, add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute. Drain the fat from the skillet. Season the meat mixture with salt, black pepper, dried oregano, and dried basil. Stir to combine before transferring the meat mixture into the slow cooker with the sauce. Stir to combine all ingredients.
  2. Slow Cook Sauce and Meat: Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 6 hours, making sure not to open the lid during this time to retain heat and moisture.
  3. Cook Spaghetti Noodles: When the slow cooking time is complete, cook the spaghetti noodles on the stove-top in boiling water according to package directions, typically about 8 minutes for al dente. The noodles will continue to soften slightly in the slow cooker later.
  4. Add Noodles to Sauce: Drain the cooked noodles and add them to the slow cooker with the meat sauce. Stir gently to combine, then use a spatula to flatten the noodles evenly over the sauce.
  5. Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a small bowl, combine the cream cheese, ricotta cheese, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. The cream cheese will likely remain in small chunks—it doesn’t need to be completely smooth.
  6. Top Spaghetti with Cheese: Dollop the cream cheese and ricotta mixture evenly over the spaghetti in the slow cooker. Use a spatula to even out the cheese layer over the noodles. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
  7. Final Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker again and cook on LOW for an additional 20 minutes to allow the cheese to melt and flavors to meld.
  8. Serve: Once done, serve the baked spaghetti hot and enjoy this comforting, cheesy dish.

Notes

  • Do not open the slow cooker lid during the initial 6-hour cooking to maintain temperature and moisture.
  • The noodles are pre-cooked before adding to the slow cooker to prevent them from becoming mushy or underdone.
  • You can substitute ground turkey or Italian sausage for the ground beef if desired.
  • For a spicier version, add crushed red pepper flakes to the meat mixture while browning.
  • Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently.

Keywords: slow cooker spaghetti, baked spaghetti, million dollar spaghetti, slow cooker pasta, cheesy spaghetti recipe, comfort food, easy slow cooker meals

Find it online: https://flavorsbymaya.com/slow-cooker-baked-spaghetti-million-dollar-spaghetti-recipe/