Homemade Spaghettios and Meatballs made in the slow cooker! It’s a childhood favorite that you’ll love any any age.
Everyone needs a few kid friendly recipes that adults will love, too. My Panera Macaroni and Cheese Recipe gets rave reviews from everyone who tries it! And of course a batch of easy Broccoli Cheese Soup is always a hit too.
Why This Recipe Works
Put down the can. Make these homemade copycat spaghetti-o’s in the slow cooker instead!
- This is an easy twist on classic spaghetti and meatballs.
- Made with ditalini noodles, just like the original spaghettios.
- No added sugar or preservatives!
- You can use store bought meatballs, turkey meatballs, zucchini meatballs, or your favorite meatball recipe.
- Only 5 minutes of prep time.
- Let it cook all day long and sit down to a delicious meal at dinner time!
I recently tasted a bite of canned spaghetti-os for the first time in ages. I’d totally forgotten how downright SWEET they taste.
This homemade version is so much better. All the nostalgic qualities of the one I loved as a kid with just the natural sweet and tangy tomato flavor shining through.
A few dried herbs and seasonings are all you need to make the dish complete!
For more comfort food, be sure to try our chili mac recipe next!
Ingredient Notes
Here’s what you need to make perfect imitation spaghetti-os from scratch (well, almost from scratch).
- Meatballs – I made my favorite turkey meatballs for this recipe. Frozen cooked meatballs work well too, so don’t sweat it if you’re in a hurry.
- Tomato sauce – The plain, canned variety with no added flavorings or sugar.
- Herbs – Dried basil, oregano and garlic salt add the perfect flavor to the tomato sauce.
- Ditalini noodles – Small round noodles that resemble the “O” shape of “Spaghetti-Os”. If you can’t find them, just use any bite sized pasta variety.
Tips and Tricks
- Using frozen meatballs? No need to heat them first! Just add them to the slow cooker with the sauce and herbs.
- Add the uncooked noodles to the slow cooker in the last 30 minutes of cooking time.
- Serve homemade spaghettios and meatballs with homemade olive garden breadsticks and an Olive Garden Salad.
Recipe FAQs
For a vegetarian option, omit the meatballs. Or use your favorite plant-based meatballs instead!
Cheese is always a tasty topping for pasta! Grate fresh parmesan or mozzarella over each bowl of spaghetti-os before serving.
Transfer the leftover pasta and sauce to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator and enjoy within 3 days.
Tomato sauce contains only tomatoes which have been cooked down to a liquid consistency (sometimes with added water). Spaghetti sauce is tomato sauce enhanced with added flavorings like herbs, garlic and spices.
I use plain tomato sauce in this crockpot recipe, then add my own seasonings!
Serving Suggestions
Looking for the perfect side dish for your meatball subs?
This simple Italian Salad with homemade Italian Dressing is our favorite weeknight side dish. It’s the perfect green salad.
Treat your dinner guests or potluck friends and family to an Easy Taffy Apple Salad recipe. Made with apples, pineapple, whipped cream, peanuts & more.
Looking for a fresh bowl of homemade applesauce for dinner tonight? This Instant Pot Applesauce recipe is super quick and easy!
More Easy Dinner Ideas
- Chicken Tetrazinni: this is a family favorite!!
- Chicken Kisses: my daughter’s most requested dinner!
- Italian Chicken Casserole: creamy noodles with chicken, spinach and sun dried tomatoes!
- Margherita Chicken
- Kalua Pork
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Homemade Spaghettios and Meatballs
Ingredients
- 40 cooked meatballs
- 2 cans tomato sauce 15 ounce each
- 32 ounce beef broth
- 2 teaspoons oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 8 ounce ditalini noodles dry
Instructions
- In a large slow cooker, add frozen (or fresh) cooked meatballs. Top with sauce, broth, oregano, garlic, basil and salt. Simmer on low, covered, for 5-6 hours.
- Half hour before serving, add the noodles. Stir into the sauce, cover, and let cook.
- Serve dinner with breadsticks and salad! ENJOY
Notes
- Using frozen meatballs? No need to heat them first! Just add them to the slow cooker with the sauce and herbs.
- Add the uncooked noodles to the slow cooker in the last 30 minutes of cooking time.
- Serve homemade spaghettios and meatballs with homemade olive garden breadsticks and a side salad.
- See blog post for more recipe tips and tricks.
Nutrition
Feel like a kid again with this easy slow cooker spaghettios recipe!
I made this for lunch today. I forgot this was a slow cooker recipe and needed it quickly. I boiled the ditalini, it’s a fun shape. Then I put beef bouillon cubes, I used 3, in the pasta water with the pasta. I added some garlic salt and Italian seasoning; I didn’t have oregano. I added a bag of mini frozen meatballs I’d made for the freezer, and it came together fast and it’s delicious! Thank you!