Slow Cooker Ketchup Spaghetti

Slow Cooker Ketchup Spaghetti. This easy slow cooker spaghetti uses just 4 simple things from Depression times. It’s a fun, super cheap meal that tastes great! My dad ate it two times a week when money was short. He still smiles at the sweet-tangy smell. It’s all from your kitchen shelves: spaghetti, ketchup, butter, and onion. They cook slow until noodles are soft in a shiny red sauce.

If life is busy with jobs or kids, this no-fuss food fits right in your weekly meals.

Eat it hot from the pot with green salad or steamed veggies to cut the sweet taste. Add garlic bread, toast with butter, or saltine crackers for that old cheap feel. Top with cheese for saltiness. Try pickle slices or hot sauce for extra zing.

Slow Cooker Ketchup Spaghetti. Tender spaghetti simmers in a glossy ketchup sauce with onions and butter. Born from tough times, it delivers sweet-tangy comfort without fuss—perfect for busy families craving simple, hearty pantry magic in under 2 hours.

Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 12 oz dry spaghetti, snapped in half

• 2 cups ketchup

• 4 cups water

• 1 yellow onion, chopped small

• 4 tbsp butter, cut up

• 1 tsp salt (if you want)

• 1/2 tsp black pepper (if you want)

Slow Cooker Ketchup Spaghetti: Directions

1. Spray your 4-6 quart slow cooker with no-stick spray or rub with butter so food won’t stick.

2. Put chopped onion in the bottom and spread it flat.

3. Snap spaghetti in half. Spread it over onions. Fan it out so it’s not in one big lump. This cooks it even.

4. In a bowl, mix ketchup, water, salt, and pepper until smooth.

5. Pour mix over spaghetti. Push noodles down with a spoon so most are in the wet stuff. Some tips can stick out—they’ll get soft.

6. Drop butter pieces on top. Spread them so they melt in.

7. Put lid on. Cook it on HIGH heat for 1.5 to 2 hrs, or LOW heat for 3 to3.5 hrs, till noodles are soft.

8. At 1 hour on HIGH (or 2 on LOW), lift lid. Use tongs to stir and unstick noodles. Put lid back on.

9. When done, sauce is thick and shiny red-orange. Stir once more to mix edge sauce.

10. Taste. Add more salt or pepper if needed.

11. Switch to WARM. Let sit 5-10 minutes. Sauce sticks better, butter melts full.

12. Serve right from pot. Scoop from bottom for onions and sauce.