This super easy Slow Cooker Spaghetti Squash with Meatballs is just 3 ingredients and takes very little prep work.
You can use jarred spaghetti sauce (or homemade marinara) as well as frozen prepared meatballs (or homemade meatballs).
Spaghetti squash is a type of garden squash that, when roasted or cooked, the filling resembles spaghetti noodles. It’s a great low-carb alternative to pasta.
Slow Cooker Spaghetti Squash
So the other day I was browsing Instagram and came across my friend’s photo of her son (who is 3, I believe) seasoning a couple spaghetti squash that were sitting in a crock pot. I was intrigued, so I asked for the recipe.
If you’re looking for an excellent way to prepare spaghetti squash that’s low-fuss and full of flavor, this recipe is for you.
Ingredients Needed
You only need three ingredients to whip up this incredibly easy dinner using spaghetti squash. As always, you can find the full list of ingredients located in the printable recipe card below.
- Spaghetti Squash – medium to large size, it should fit in your slow cooker.
- Marinara Sauce – use my homemade version or your favorite jarred sauce.
- Meatballs – you can make homemade meatballs* (see notes below) or frozen meatballs for extra ease.
How To Make It
Start by cutting a thoroughly washed spaghetti squash in half and scooping out the seeds and membranes.
Place the spaghetti squash cut side down into the crock pot, then pour in a jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce (you’ll need at least 24oz or 3 cup of homemade).
PRO TIP: If you like it extra saucy, you can add more sauce at this point.
Then toss in some frozen meatballs. I used an Italian style beef meatball, but feel free to adjust that to your liking too.
Can I Cook Raw Meatballs in Slow Cooker?
Yes! You can definitely make homemade meatballs and then place them in the slow cooker to finish cooking. I would recommend searing the meatballs first so they hold their shape better after being cooked.
How Long To Cook Spaghetti Squash in Slow Cooker?
Cook the spaghetti squash in the slow cooker on LOW for 5 hours, or HIGH for 3 hours.
Use some tongs to pull out the squash onto a cutting board, then use a fork to pull out the delicious insides. Discard the shell of the squash.
What’s left in the crock pot is the sauce and meatballs, ready for you to dress your spaghetti squash.
The squash is so tender and moist, and seriously resembles the texture of spaghetti noodles when cooked like this, but as an added bonus – it’s vegetables, NOT carb-riddled pasta, so eat up and enjoy!
Make Ahead and Storage
This recipe for spaghetti squash in the slow cooker tastes best when it’s made and prepared initially. The squash can get a little mushy once stored and reheated, but still tastes great.
Store any leftovers in the fridge for up to 5 days.
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Spaghetti Squash with Meatballs Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 medium spaghetti squash, washed
- 24 oz spaghetti sauce, your preferred flavor (more if desired)
- 3 cups meatballs
Instructions
- Cut the spaghetti squash in half around the middle. Use a spoon to remove the seeds and membranes. Place cut sides down in a large crock pot.
- Pour the spaghetti sauce around the sides of the squash and then place your meat balls around the sides as well.
- Cook on low for 5-6 hours, or high for 3-4 hours. Test for doneness by piercing the squash with a fork, if it goes through the skin easily, it is done.
- Use tongs to carefully remove the squash from the crock pot. Use a fork to pull out all the squash, discard the shell.
- Serve with the sauce and meatballs from the crock pot. Enjoy!
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susanne
Has anyone tried it without the meatballs? I have a vegie in the house and am hoping this works without the added flavor of the meatballs.. Thanks!
Wendy
Susanne, meatballs are not necessary. ( just yummy). Try adding mushrooms, onion, shredded carrot to enhance your sauce if you want it to be more substantial than just sauce.
Karen
Just made this. It was wonderful. So glad to have found this recipie.
Brandi
Just got done eating this recipe! Very delicious!! I added a can of diced Italian style tomatoes and a couple other seasonings I use in my spaghetti sauce. I will definitely try this again!!
Melissa
Either my crock pot isn’t a large crock pot, or I just got a huge squash because I could only fit one half in there! I guess we’ll be having “spaghetti” and meatballs again soon! (I’ve never tried spaghetti squash before so I honestly have no idea how mine compares to the “normal” squash lol)
Shawn
Oh bummer that your squash was on the big side. My crock pot is a 7 quart oval and it fits a medium sized squash (tightly). 🙂
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Ang
Just tried this and loved it! It was the first time anyone in my family had eaten spaghetti squash and my 16 year old, upon seeing me pull the “spaghetti” from the squash said warily to the siblings “Heads up guys, momma’s making hippie food” LOL. But my 12, 8 and 5 year olds all ate it with very little hesitation, and the hubs and I loved it even more than traditional pasta. Thanks for a great quick, easy and pretty healthy meal for us to add to the rotation!
Kaleen
I cooked mine on low for 5 hours and my spaghetti squash came out like mush 🙁 any suggestions?
Shawn
Was your spaghetti squash on the smaller side? If it’s larger, cooking it longer would be necessary, but if it’s smaller, cooking it too long might result in a mushier squash. I would suggest testing the squash after 3 hours (on low) if it’s smaller and seeing if you can pierce the skin easily. Once you can, then you’ll know it’s ready.
Kaleen
What do you consider smaller? It is smaller than some of the others I’ve cooked in the oven. I’m fairly new to the spaghetti squash community 🙂 Can you give me a general weight that would cook best?
Haley
I made spaghetti squash bakes all the time, so I cant wait to try this! Have you ever tried it with un-cooked meatballs before? I am wondering if it would work…? I like to make my own turkey meatballs.
jae
I know this is an older comment but YES uncooked meatballs will work! I took ground turkey, egg, milk, garlic and rosemary and made some meatballs. I poured in some sauce first, then laid the squash halves face down. I threw in the meatballs (avoiding the squash as best I could) and then poured the rest of the jar on top. Turned out awesome!
KellyK
Made this tonight with my own homegrown spaghetti squash and homemade tomato pasta sauce (from homegrown tomatoes)! My hubs and I loved it! Will definitely be making again! Super easy and wonderfully tasty!
msjewels1215
I made this tonight! It was delicious!! I actually had my 15 year old son put it together and turn it on when he got home from school, and then when I got home from work, dinner was ready! Love it!! We sprinkled some parmesan cheese on it and also had a salad. So good!!
Shawn
Awesome! So glad you guys like it! And bonus points for getting your son to make it! Woot! 🙂
Mimi M Leonard
My only concern is that spaghetti squash is very hard to cut.
Shawn
It can be a little tough, but if you microwave it for a couple minutes it will soften up. Use a sharp knife too!
Linda
If you soften it in the micro. Make sure you cut a small chunk out so it can vent the steam. I leave mine in for five min. Then let it cool before cutting! This recipe is wonderful. But I did some reading on carbohydrates in spaghetti squash. It’s almost as high as spaghetti noodles Was surprised it’s higher than almost all squashes!
patricia
Easy to cut if you use a fork to mark the cut across, pop in the microwave for about 3 min, remove and cuts very easy, then continue with the recipe.
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes and Desserts
I have 3 spaghetti squash that I just picked from my garden this weekend. I have done it in the oven before, but I love this idea even more!
Teresa - SassySuburbanite
This looks amazing and I can’t wait to try it! What a wonderful recipe for low-carbers too. Thank you.
Teresa
Linda
Look it up. Spaghetti squash is very high carbs. I love it but was surprised. The worse in the squash family
Brooke Wideman
For 1 cup it is 7 g total with 1.5 being fiber.. so only 5.5 g carbs. Thats NOTHING.
Jocelyn @BruCrew Life
Ok, that’s it…I seriously need to try spaghetti squash! This is just too easy and I love that!!!
Melanie @ Just Some Salt and Pepper
I’m so happy we are heading into winter squash season! Can’t wait to try out this recipe!
Andi @ The Weary Chef
This is so clever! I’m headed to the grocery store this morning, and I’m going to look for spaghetti squash to give this a try. Thanks!
April Sisco
I am cooking this today smells so good .
Shawn
So fun! Hope you enjoy! 🙂
Lezlee Gunsolley
I prefer to brown the frozen meatballs in the oven first…cuz they taste more home made that way…but this recipe is perfect for spaghetti squash! In the oven or microwave I have a hard time cooking it correctly. Half the time is comes out over-or under cooked, or in the case of the microwave–cooked unevenly. And this is SUPER simple! Thank you!
Judie
I think you should know that if you have a older crockpot.it is only going to fit half of the squash. You need the larger oval crockpot. That said,I made half of the squash in my older crockpot and halfed everything. I let it cook for three hours on high and it was delicious.