Slow Cooker Spaghetti Squash with Meatballs and Marinara
A healthy twist on your favorite spaghetti and meatballs dinner. Slow Cooker Spaghetti Squash with Meatballs and Marinara is easy, healthy and extremely satisfying. Just three ingredients are added to the slow cooker and left to cook all day long for a simple dinner that the entire family will love.
Happy Friday, everyone! I hope you all had a fantastic fall week. It’s peak season for leaf peeping right now so the trees are absolutely stunning, so stunning it could be dangerous. I had lunch with a few friends from my old cubicle job yesterday and on the way there I almost ran off the road trying to catch a glimpse of the burst of color spanning the horizon in Valley Forge Park. I wanted to take a picture to share with you all here but decided to keep both hands on the wheel and just get to lunch alive. I made it and, as always, our conversation turned to food.
We talked about what restaurant we’ll visit next and what we’re feeding our families. Even though I work from home, I still have the same struggles getting dinner on the table as I did when I had a 40 minute commute every day. I may have even run into an old friend at the grocery store the other day while carrying a box of pretzel bites (for THIS killer snack) and a package of frozen fried chicken. I’m a little embarrassed and somewhat ashamed…and to be honest…the chicken was terrible.
So, I dusted off my slow cooker (which wasn’t really that dusty since I just used it last week for this Loaded Baked Potato Soup) and made the easiest dinner I could think of. And it was REALLY healthy, which we needed in this house with the influx of treats this time of year, like these mini pumpkin cheesecakes topped with pecan pralines. Yeah, we need a waistline intervention.
Slow Cooker Spaghetti Squash with Meatballs and Marinara is super easy to make. You cut the spaghetti squash in half and scoop out the seeds. Place the cut sides down in the slow cooker and arrange your meatballs around the squash. Pour in your sauce, cover with the lid and turn on high for 4 hours…or low for 6-7 hours. You can use frozen meatballs and your favorite jarred marinara sauce (I love Muir Glen Cabernet Marinara) to make it super easy…or do what I did and use these easy meatballs with stovetop marinara. When the squash is easily pierced with a fork…it’s done. Remove the squash and shred with a fork. Serve and be proud. No frozen fried chicken tonight!
This Slow Cooker Spaghetti Squash with Meatballs and Marinara is the ultimate one pot meal. Your family won’t even miss the pasta and will be fighting over the leftovers. I guarantee it! And if you’re still in need of a slow cooker, you have one day left to enter to win over HERE!
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Spaghetti Squash with Meatballs and Marinara
Ingredients
- 1 spaghetti squash, cut in half, seeds removed
- 1 25.5 jar of marinara sauce, or 3 cups homemade marinara
- 1 12 ounce bag frozen meatballs, or 12-15 homemade meatballs
Instructions
- Place the squash, cut side down, in the bottom of the slow cooker. Arrange the meatballs around the squash. Pour the sauce over the meatballs trying not to cover the squash. Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on high for 4 hours, or low for 6-7 hours. When the squash is done (it will be soft and can easily be pierced with a fork) transfer it to a bowl and allow to cool for a few minutes. When the squash is cool enough to handle, shred the insides with a fork and place in a bowl. Discard the skin.
- Top the spaghetti squash with the meatballs and marinara. Serve immediately.
22 Comments on “Slow Cooker Spaghetti Squash with Meatballs and Marinara”
I just made something like this the other night, but not in the slow cooker. Definitely going to give it another try and use your method this time! Looks so good!!
What a great idea!!
Thanks so much, Pam!
This is such a great idea! I might be used this recipe and my slow cooker tomorrow! Thanks for sharing!
Squash in the slow cooker – I love this idea!
I can’t wait to try this… the slow cooker is so easy in my life….
We do this often. So good, so easy!!
I love 3-ingredient recipes and I love crockpot recipes. And I love low carb! You’re my new best friend. LOL!
I absolutely LOVE healthy dishes made in the slow cooker!! Happy New Year Kellie!
These meatballs look amazing, and I need to get on the stick with trying spaghetti squash! Great dinner idea!
You won’t regret it, Andi! I thought my family would hate it but they were fighting over leftovers, so….it was a winner.
This looks delicious! I love spaghetti and meatballs, spaghetti squash is a great sub for regular pasta
Thanks so much! I totally agree with the pasta sub…it’s pretty amazing too!
Love the idea of making spaghetti squash in the slow cooker and LOVE when you can substitute it so easily for traditional pasta. This looks delicious! Pinned!
Thanks so much for the pin! It’s now a favorite recipe here.
I had no idea you could cook spaghetti squash that way in the slow cooker, genius!
What a great idea! Can’t wait to try this out!
GENIUS! I love how easy this dish is, yet it’s comfort food at it’s finest!
This looks delicious! What a great pasta replacement!
I totally agree! It’s a big hit in our house.
I’m definitely trying this next week! I’ve never thought of spaghetti squash in the slow cooker – genius!
Thanks so much, Sheila! Let me know how you like it!