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You know what? I’ll admit it — there are plenty of evenings when I just don’t feel like cooking. I love food, I love feeding people, but some days? I’d rather curl up on the couch with a book and pretend the stove doesn’t exist.
That’s exactly why I keep this Slow Cooker 5-Ingredient Meatball Marinara Pasta in my back pocket. It’s the dish I pull out when I want dinner to feel special without standing at the stove for an hour stirring sauce and boiling water at the same time.
It’s the kind of meal that makes my house smell like an Italian grandma’s kitchen — even if all I really did was dump a bag of frozen meatballs in a pot and walk away. And honestly? No one needs to know but us.
Why You’ll Keep Coming Back to This One
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Just five ingredients — that’s it. You probably have half of them right now.
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The slow cooker does the work. You do whatever else you’d rather do.
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Rich marinara hugs those meatballs all afternoon.
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Pasta soaks up all that goodness at the end.
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Melty mozzarella — because cheese fixes a lot of life’s problems.
Here’s What You’ll Need
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1 pound frozen meatballs — beef, turkey, chicken, plant-based — your call.
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24-ounce jar of marinara sauce — pick a good one; you’ll taste it.
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8 ounces pasta — spaghetti or penne work great.
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1 cup water — helps loosen up the sauce so it doesn’t get too thick.
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1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese — you can measure this, but I just grab a big handful.
Little Tip: If you’ve got parmesan lurking in the fridge, bring it to the party too. It never hurts.
How It Comes Together — Nice and Easy
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Meatballs in first: Grab your slow cooker, toss those frozen meatballs right in. No thawing, no fuss.
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Sauce & water: Pour that whole jar of marinara on top. Add the cup of water. Give it all a gentle stir — or a quick poke with a spoon if you’re feeling fancy.
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Walk away: Put the lid on. Set it to low. Let it go for about 4–5 hours. That’s it. Take a nap. Call your sister. Go water your tomatoes — this meal’s babysitting itself.
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Boil pasta: About 30 minutes before you’re ready to eat, cook your pasta according to the box directions. Don’t overcook it — al dente’s your friend.
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Combine: Drain the pasta and stir it into that warm, saucy meatball goodness in the slow cooker.
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Cheese time: Sprinkle the mozzarella right on top. Cover it again and wait about 10 minutes — enough for the cheese to melt into those dreamy, stretchy strings we all fight over.
How I Like to Serve It
You could absolutely scoop this into bowls and call it done — but I do love a little side. Maybe a quick salad — just mixed greens with olive oil and a squeeze of lemon. Garlic bread? Yes please. A glass of red wine? Even better.
Stash Those Leftovers
If you’ve got any (big if), just tuck them in an airtight container and pop it in the fridge. They’ll keep for 3 days easy. Warm it up gently on the stove with a splash of water or milk — or zap it in the microwave if you’re in a rush.
Little Ways to Tweak It
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Spicy? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
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Creamy? Stir in a splash of cream or dollop of ricotta at the end.
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Veggies? Sure — roasted zucchini or peppers taste great mixed in.
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Different pasta? Whatever’s in your pantry. Shells, rigatoni, even bowties.
Before You Go…
Alright, friend — there you have it. A meal that’ll make you feel like you did something amazing, when really you just let the slow cooker do the heavy lifting.
If you try it — and I hope you do — come back and tell me. Did you sneak extra cheese on top? Did your picky eater ask for seconds? I want to hear it all.
Take care, keep a bag of frozen meatballs on hand, and remember: sometimes the easiest meals are the ones we end up loving most.
Slow Cooker 5-Ingredient Meatball Marinara Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 lb frozen meatballs beef, turkey, chicken, or plant-based
- 24 oz jar of marinara sauce use a good-quality sauce
- 8 oz pasta spaghetti or penne
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Place frozen meatballs in the bottom of your slow cooker.
- Pour the jar of marinara sauce and the cup of water over the meatballs. Stir gently to combine.
- Cover with the lid and cook on low for 4–5 hours.
- About 30 minutes before serving, cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente.
- Drain the cooked pasta and stir it into the meatball marinara mixture in the slow cooker.
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella over the top. Cover and let it sit for about 10 minutes until the cheese melts.
Notes
Nutrition