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–+ servings
Crockpot Creamy Meatball Pasta

Crockpot Creamy Meatball Pasta

A rich, cheesy, set-it-and-forget-it dinner that combines meatballs, marinara, and Alfredo sauce for the best of both worlds — finished with melty mozzarella and your favorite pasta.
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Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Keyword: comfort food recipes, creamy meatball pasta, creamy pasta recipes, Crockpot Creamy Meatball Pasta, crockpot dinner ideas, crockpot meatball pasta, crockpot pasta recipes, Crockpot Recipe, dump and go crockpot recipes, easy crockpot dinner, easy dinner recipes, easy family dinner, easy Italian dinner, easy pasta dinner, easy weeknight dinner, family friendly recipes, meatball recipes, one pot pasta, slow cooker comfort food, slow cooker dinner ideas, slow cooker meatball pasta, slow cooker pasta recipes
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 859kcal

Equipment

  • Crock-pot A 6-quart size slow cooker comfortably fits this amount
  • A large spoon or spatula for stirring
  • A separate pot for boiling the pasta
  • Measuring spoons for the garlic and seasoning

Ingredients

  • 1 Bag Frozen meatballs (or homemade — use your favorite) 32 oz
  • 1 Jar Marinara sauce 28 oz
  • 1 Jar Alfredo sauce 16 oz
  • 1 tablespoon Minced garlic jarred or fresh
  • 1-2 tablespoons Italian seasoning Dano's Italiano Seasoning recommended
  • 2 cups Shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 lb Pasta Cooked (bow ties recommended, but any pasta works)

Instructions

  • Add the frozen meatballs to the bottom of your slow cooker.
  • Pour the marinara sauce and Alfredo sauce over the meatballs.
  • Stir in the minced garlic and Italian seasoning until everything is well combined.
  • Cover and cook on low for 4 hours.
  • Once the meatballs are fully cooked, stir in the shredded mozzarella cheese and cooked pasta until the cheese is melted and everything is coated in the creamy sauce.
  • Serve warm and enjoy!

Video

Notes

Any type of frozen meatball works well here — use what you like for convenience, or sub in homemade meatballs.
Jarred minced garlic works just as well as fresh for this recipe and keeps prep quick.
Thicker pasta shapes like bow ties hold up great in the creamy sauce, but feel free to use whatever pasta you have on hand.

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

 
Meatballs: Frozen beef, turkey, or Italian sausage meatballs all work great here. If using homemade meatballs, make sure they're fully cooked before adding, since raw meatballs may not hold their shape after 4 hours in the slow cooker.
Marinara & Alfredo: Any jarred brand works fine — this is a great way to use up sauces already in your pantry. For a spicier take, swap the marinara for a vodka or arrabbiata sauce.
Italian seasoning: Dano's Italiano Seasoning adds a nice herby depth, but any Italian seasoning blend will work. You can also mix your own with dried basil, oregano, and parsley.
Pasta: Bow ties hold the sauce beautifully, but penne, rotini, or shells work just as well. Cook the pasta separately so it doesn't get mushy sitting in the slow cooker — stir it in at the very end.
Cheese: Mozzarella keeps things classic and mild, but a mix of mozzarella and parmesan adds a sharper, saltier finish.

Nutrition

Calories: 859kcal | Carbohydrates: 67g | Protein: 41g
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