One Pot Wonder: Just 5 ingredients. Spaghetti and meat sauce cooks together perfectly without boiling water.

This 5-ingredient slow cooker one pot spaghetti is my kind of weeknight hero—the kind of meal you toss together in the morning and come home to when work runs late, and you’re two seconds away from ordering takeout.

Classic spaghetti with meat sauce is one of those dishes most of us grew up on, but standing over the stove to brown, simmer, and stir isn’t always realistic on a busy Tuesday. This version brings all the cozy, saucy comfort of traditional spaghetti, but the slow cooker does the heavy lifting. Minimal chopping, no boiling separate pots of water, and only one pot to wash.

If you love the idea of a home-cooked meal but your schedule doesn’t always cooperate, this recipe fits right into that sweet spot of simple, hearty, and totally doable.

I like to keep things simple and let the spaghetti be the star, but a few easy sides can turn this into a full, comforting meal. A quick green salad with whatever’s in the fridge—romaine, cucumber, cherry tomatoes—tossed with bottled Italian dressing is usually my go-to on a weeknight.

If you have a few extra minutes, warm up some frozen garlic bread or slice a baguette, brush it with olive oil, and toast it under the broiler for a crunchy side that’s perfect for soaking up extra sauce. Steamed or roasted veggies like broccoli, green beans, or zucchini also pair really well and make the plate feel a little more balanced without adding much effort.

And if you’re feeding a crowd, set out a small bowl of grated Parmesan or shredded mozzarella so everyone can finish their own bowl just the way they like it.

5-Ingredient Slow Cooker One Pot Spaghetti with Ground Beef

Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef (lean, 85–90% works well)

1 (24-ounce) jar marinara or spaghetti sauce
3 cups low-sodium beef broth (or water)
12 ounces spaghetti, broken in half
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (or dried oregano/basil blend)
Five simple spaghetti ingredients laid out on a counter

Directions