Description
Slow cooker recipes are a busy home cook’s best friend, and this Slow Cooker 5-Ingredient Meatball Marinara Pasta is no exception. With just five simple ingredients, you can create a comforting and flavorful pasta dish that’s perfect for weeknight dinners. The slow cooker does all the work, leaving you free to tackle your to-do list or enjoy a well-deserved moment of relaxation.
Ingredients
- 1 pound frozen meatballs
- 1 1/2 cup marinara sauce
- 8 ounce pasta of your choice (such as spaghetti or penne)
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
1. Place the frozen meatballs in the bottom of the slow cooker.
2. Pour the marinara sauce over the meatballs, ensuring they are well-coated.
3. Add the water to the slow cooker, gently stirring to combine with the sauce.
4. Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours, or until the meatballs are heated through.
5. About 30 minutes before serving, cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
6. Drain the pasta and add it to the slow cooker, stirring to combine with the sauce and meatballs.
7. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the top, cover, and let it melt for about 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
To make the dish even healthier, you can opt for whole grain pasta, low-sugar marinara sauce, and reduce the amount of mozzarella cheese. Adding more vegetables, such as sautéed spinach or roasted zucchini, can also boost the nutritional value.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-5 hours
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 60mg