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Slow Cooker Baked Spaghetti


I have another confession to make, I love spaghetti. My favorite foods go pizza is number one, spaghetti number two then tacos is number three. Growing up my family would have spaghetti at least once a week and we still do.
Growing up going out to dinner I would always look for spaghetti on the menu but would always be disappointed when I ate it and was so sweet.  I stopped getting it until I ordered it at our local Shoney's. Who remembers them? I got their baked spaghetti that I feel in love with and I couldn't order spaghetti anywhere else.  


It was perfect.  It had a lot of melted cheese, crispy edges of cheese and the sauce wasn't sweet.  When our Shoney's closed maybe ten years ago, it was a very sad day for me.  Until I discovered this recipe.
Tools you'll need
6.5 to 7 Quart Slow Cooker
Slow Cooker liners (optional) 
Love these, they help me not clean my slow cook so much.
Time: 
Prep 1 hour
Sit time 7 hours
Cooking 7.5 hours
Servings 6+
 
Slow Cooker Baked Spaghetti
2 lbs of Italian Seasoned Ground Turkey meat or combo of Turkey and Seasoned Turkey or Ground Chicken or Italian Pork Sausage
42 oz of Traditional Spaghetti sauce
6 oz of Flavored Tomato Pasta (can use unflavored if  you like)
1 to 1 1/2 cups of Low Sodium Chicken Broth
12 oz package of Thin Spaghetti Pasta
1 teaspoon of Dry Italian Herbs
1/2 teaspoon of Cayenne Pepper (optional)
1/2 teaspoon of Black Pepper
Cheese Topping
1 1/2 cups of Ricotta Cheese
1 1/2 cups of Mozzarella (Freshly grated is better)
1/2 teaspoon of Sea Salt
1/2 teaspoon of Black Pepper
1/2 teaspoon of Dry Italian Herbs
1/2 teaspoon of Garlic Powder
1/4 teaspoon of Onion Powder
1/2 teaspoon of Paprika

Place plastic liner in your slow cooker then combine spaghetti sauce, pasta, chicken broth and dry Italian herbs. Do not turn on slow cooker.
Brown meat until fully cooked then pour into slow cooker.
Stir it together. Cover with lid and leave it alone overnight. At least 7 hours. Do not turn on slow cooker.
 If you are not using seasoned turkey meat or Italian sausage skip this step, but its worth it.
Once it has sit overnight, turn on your slow cooker on low and let it simmer for 7 hours.
Place mozzarella cheese in the freezer at least thirty minutes.  This will help when you grate it. Then combine ricotta cheese, Italian herbs, sea salt, black  pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and paprika. Place in refrigerator before using. 
Boil spaghetti pasta in salted water, 2 minutes less than it says on the package.
Combine spaghetti pasta and sauce.
Dollop risotto cheese mixture on top then grate mozzarella  cheese.
Sprinkle grated cheese on top then cover it with the lid. 
Let it sit until the cheese has melted, about 15 to 20 minutes.
Remove the lid and turn off the slow cooker.  Let it sit for 5 minutes then enjoy.
Enjoy with some garlic bread or garlic Texas toast.



Comments

  1. I love baked pasta! Do you know if there's a way to make this without using foil. Since aluminum is linked with Alzheimer's, I try to avoid heating food in it whenever possible.

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    1. Its not using foil. It just the Reynold's brand. Sorry if it was confusing.

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  2. I never would have thought about making pasta in a slow cooker! It looks like such a yummy recipe! I'll have to try it out soon!

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  3. This recipe looks delish and I had never heard of the liners! Totally buying some ASAP!

    xoxo Christie
    http://icanstyleu.com/blog/

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    1. They have the liners in the Crock Pot brand as well. They are a lifesaver for cooking stuff like this. Easy clean up.

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  4. Can't wait to try this recipe!

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  5. This looks so delicious ! I don't eat meat but for sure could substitute but yum !!!!

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    1. Defiantly can sub the turkey meat with a Veggie crumb by Morningstar that I sometimes use.

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  6. This seriously looks so yummy! Anything with lots of cheese gets me :D

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    1. It is quite tasty and if you have leftovers and eat it the next day the flavor is even better.

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  7. This looks so delicious! I can't wait to try it! Love spaghetti but never baked i!

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    1. 'Baking' it just gives it a different flavor.

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  8. I love spaghetti too but as I'm veggie I make it meat free and it's just as delicious!

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    1. You can always use a veggie crumble or just have it meatless and it will still be really good.

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  9. This looks so yummy! There was a local restaurant when that I used to go to as a kid in my hometown and they had the most delicious baked ziti, and I think this would be similar.

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  10. oh this looks very cool, perfect for busy days and days when something comforting is in the mood.

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    1. Totally perfect to put on before you go to work or the night before leave alone and only have to do pasta and cheese before you eat.

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