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Crockpot Chili Meatballs and Spaghetti. Slow-cooked meatballs with onion and garlic, then seasoned with chili powder, paprika, cumin, and cayenne. Roll the meat into balls and slow cook with fire-roasted tomatoes, peppers, and broth. Finish these saucy chili meatballs off with cheddar cheese and serve over spaghetti – Cincinnati chili style. This dish is so warming and delicious. If there’s one comforting chili you make this season, it’s these yummy meatballs. We love the flavor! This is a one-pot meatball and spaghetti dinner that’s the easiest dish you’ll make all week, and also one of the most delicious. Be sure to add some beer bread on the side!
Ingredients
- Ground beef, chicken or turkey meatballs
- Yellow onion
- Garlic cloves
- Chili powder
- Smoked paprika
- Cumin
- Cayenne powder
- Garlic powder
- Kosher salt
- Fire roasted dice tomatoes
- Tomato paste
- Beef broth
- Poblano pepper
- Pickled jalapeños
- Black beans
- Dry spaghetti
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Fresh cilantro
- Chopped green onion
Kitchen Supplies
- baking sheet
- large bowl
- crockpot/ slow cooker or large dutch oven
We’ve had some seriously cold temperatures here recently. With snow over the weekend and temps in the negatives. I am very much into my “cozy era”. I’ve been having a lot of fun with my crockpot and slow-braising dishes in the oven. They always turn out so yummy.
I made these chili meatballs and spaghetti in the crockpot or you can slow braise them in the oven too. Ethier way, you’ll have such a simple cozy family meal, and it’s all made in one pot. We just love that!
Growing up in Cleveland, Cincinnati chili was fairly common. It’s also my mom’s favorite style of chili. In fact, she won’t eat chili without angel hair pasta underneath and a pile of cheddar cheese on top.
Bowl-style chili just isn’t for her, and honestly, I prefer her way too. It’s yet another cozy, childhood comfort food that we both love.
I thought it would be interesting to make chili meatballs and spaghetti. I know it sounds odd, but I promise, this is going to be delicious and feel like a fun family-style dinner!
The details
Step 1: mix the meatballs
I love to use ground beef, but ground chicken is great too. I seasoned the meatballs with our favorite mix of chili seasonings, onion, and garlic. Then chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, cayenne, garlic powder, and of course, salt.
Roll this mix together until very well combined, then scoop and roll the mixture into 15-16 bite-size meatballs. You can add red pepper flakes at this point if you want to increase the heat! You can also add panko breadcrumbs if you’re interested in a bit of a crunch!
Step 2: assemble the chili
Now, you can cook this in the crockpot or in the oven using a large Dutch oven with a lid. I personally, prefer the crockpot. Arrange the meatballs in the crockpot, then pour over a big can of diced fire-roasted tomatoes. Add tomato paste and broth, then a chopped poblano pepper and pickled jalapeños too.
Be sure to season again with salt.
At this point, slow-cook the meatballs in the sauce for a few hours. By the time these are finished cooking your house will smell wonderful. Like your favorite pot of Sunday chili. This recipe makes for two batches – one for dinner and one for leftovers.
Step 3: cook the spaghetti
If you’re using the crockpot, you can cook the spaghetti in the sauce. Add dry spaghetti directly to the meatballs. Pour over water, then nestle the pasta into the sauce. Let the pasta cook for 20 to 30 minutes. Just make sure to stir once or twice throughout cooking to ensure the pasta does not clump up.
Alternatively, you can cook the spaghetti separately on the stove. Either option works well.
Step 4: finish the meatballs
When the pasta is cooked, sprinkle the cheddar cheese over the meatballs and sauce. Let the cheese melt, about 10 minutes.
Now pull the spaghetti out of the sauce, plate it, and top with the cheesy meatballs, cilantro, and green onions. If you cooked the spaghetti in boiling water, just plate the spaghetti, then spoon the sauce and cheesy meatballs over the spaghetti.
You can serve this up on busy weeknights, but it’s equally great for those upcoming holiday dinners with friends and family. I always do a salad. And if you have a little more time highly suggest adding some 5 Ingredient Beer Bread, it doesn’t take long.
A note on the meatballs…
The longer you cook the meatballs the more they will eventually break apart, that’s okay. Just keep them in the sauce and serve as directed. They’re delicious both whole or broken up!
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Lastly, if you make this Crockpot Chili Meatballs and Spaghetti, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram, Facebook or Pinterest! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Is it better to cook meatballs in sauce?
Yes, we think so! This technique keeps the meatballs moist, tender and flavorful. Below are two cooking methods for this recipe — in the slow cooker or dutch oven! Each method has the meatballs cooking in the flavorful sauce.
Crockpot Chili Meatballs and Spaghetti
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 471 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Watch the How-To Reel
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef or chicken
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 can (28 ounce) fire-roasted dice tomatoes
- 1/3 cup tomato paste
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 poblano pepper, chopped
- 1/4 cup pickled jalapeños, chopped
- 1 can black beans, drained
- 3/4 pound dry spaghetti
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1/4 cup chopped green onion
Instructions
Crockpot
- 1. Add the ground beef, onion, garlic, chili powder, paprika, cumin, cayenne, garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon salt to a bowl. Mix to combine. Coat your hands with oil, and roll the meat into tablespoon-size balls (will make 15-16 meatballs). Place the meatballs in the bowl of your crockpot.2. Pour over the tomatoes. Add the tomato paste, broth, poblano pepper, and pickled jalapeños. Season with salt. Give everything a gentle stir. Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high for 1-2 hours.3. Crank the heat on the slow cooker to high. Mix in the beans. Add the spaghetti and pour over 1 cup of water. Nestle the spaghetti into the sauce. Cover and cook 20-30 minutes, or until the spaghetti is al dente, stirring halfway through. Sprinkle the cheese over the chili. Let melt for 10-15 minutes. 4. Serve the cheesy meatballs over the spaghetti and sauce. Top with cilantro and green onion.
Stove
- 1. Preheat the oven to 325° F.2. Add the ground beef, onion, garlic, chili powder, paprika, cumin, cayenne, garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon salt to a bowl. Mix to combine. Coat your hands with oil, and roll the meat into tablespoon-size balls (will make 15-16 meatballs). 3. Arrange the meatballs in a large dutch oven with lid. Pour over the tomatoes. Add the tomato paste, broth, poblano pepper, and pickled jalapeños. Season with salt. Give everything a gentle stir. Cover and roast for 2 1/2 to 3 hours or until slightly thickened. 4. Crank the heat on the oven to 425° F. Remove the lid. Mix in the beans. Top with cheese. Cook another 10-15 minutes to melt the cheese. 5. Just before serving, cook the spaghetti according to package directions. 6. Serve the cheesy meatballs and sauce over the spaghetti. Top with cilantro and green onion.
Notes
If the meatballs are breaking:
The longer you cook the meatballs the more they will eventually break apart, that’s ok. Just keep them in the sauce and serve as directed. They’re delicious both whole or broken up!
This post was originally published on November 1, 2023
I made this dish for company last night and they RAVED about how delicious it was. They remarked how the combination of flavors worked so well together. I agree!
Thanks so much Jessie!! I am thrilled to hear that everyone enjoyed this dish, thanks for choosing to make it! Happy weekend! xx
Made this for dinner last night. It was SO good😋 I used organic grass fed beef and the meatballs stayed perfectly intact during the 4 hours on low. The only thing I did differently was that I used my emersion blender to slightly purée the sauce at the end (removed meatballs before I puréed).
Will definitely be making this again.
Hey Stacy,
Happy Weekend! Thanks so much for making this dish and your notes, so glad to hear it turned out well for you! xT
Very nice recipe chef 👍👌👏. I had them for lunch delicious 😋. Thank you for your effort 🌞😎
Thanks so much Jasson! Glad to hear the dish was enjoyed:) Happy Friday! xT
My husband and I both thought this was a very good dish, and he is a picky eater. I used a pound of burger and a half pound of chorizo and did not have a problem at all with the meatballs falling apart. As a matter of fact we CUT them into smaller pieces while eating.For those who have an issue, just crumble and brown your meat and add yours onions, garlic and spices to the crockpot. It would not make one bit of difference and is all about the flavor anyway. Recipes are meant to be altered to the individuals tastes. Think outside the box.
Hi Dawne,
I appreciate you making this dish and sharing what worked well for you, so glad to hear it was enjoyed! Have a great Friday! xT
Of course you need to cut your meatballs before eating them. No one is shoving a full meatball in their mouth, Dawne. It’s a lack of technique and skill to have a recipe where meatballs turn to mush.
I made this today and it was excellent. I used ground turkey because it was much less expensive. Following other comments, I added an egg & 1/2 c breadcrumbs to the meatball mix. I think I would make much smaller meatballs next time to make it easier to stir, which is hard for me. I used a little less cayenne & jalapeños because I’m a wimp but the recommended amount would have been fine. I’d also take Teagan’s suggestion and cook the spaghetti separately. Will definitely make again! Hubby loved it!
Hey Sally,
Happy Friday!! Thanks so much for trying this recipe and sharing your review, so glad it was a hit! Thanks for sharing what worked well for you! xT
If this recipe is supposed to be in the style of Cincinnati chili, then you have left out one very important ingredient in the meat and sauce that makes it Cincinnati chili!
Hi Ellen,
Thanks for your feedback! It’s not meant to be Cincinnati chili, just served over pasta…similar to Cincinnati chili:) Let me know if you give the recipe a try! xx
Wow, you hit a home run on this one! The flavors were outstanding and easy to assemble. I did the crockpot recipe on low for 3 hours, cooked the pasta separately, and added pasta to crockpot to incorporate the flavors. The meatballs popped up from bottom easily for stirring in pasta and added cheese for 10 minutes to melt.
Lots of leftovers for my husbands delight!
Hey Debbi,
Yay!! So glad to hear that you loved this dish! Thanks a lot for making it and sharing what worked well for you:) xT
Not the best meatball/sauce recipe I’ve ever had but it’s not bad. The recipe isn’t kidding about them falling apart though!
Thanks for sharing your feedback Katrina!! Sorry to hear it was a fave, thanks for giving it a try! xx
I actually made this recipe, despite the speculative reviews. It is delicious. I used ground beef because I wanted it to taste like beef chili, the meatballs held up just fine. I cooked on high for 2 hours and followed the recipe exactly. The chili was delicious. I also made the beer bread and it worked perfectly with the chili. Don’t believe the people who didn’t even try the recipe. It wasn’t greasy (I used 90/10 beef) and the flavors were yummy!
Cherie, the only (two) reviews I see besides yours are from people who made them. What are you talking about speculation?
Hi Nancy,
There are several reviews below criticizing the recipe writing and even the reviewing. Regardless, the recipe is delicious and I will make it again for sure!
Hey Cherrie,
Wonderful!! So glad to hear that this dish turned out well for you, thanks for giving it a try and sharing your notes:) xx
When the recipe said “the longer you cook the meatballs the more they will eventually break apart” I thought that it was being overly cautious, but mine were crumbling after only 2 hours on low. Serious question: are they supposed to break apart? If not, why publish the recipe like this when you know that happens? Flavor-wise it is fine but nothing special. (I used beef if it makes a difference.)
I can’t trust a recipe that wants meatballs to fall apart. What’s the point of making meatballs then? Just use ground beef at that point.
Hi Jill,
Thanks for sharing your feedback:) We just wanted to make note that the meatballs could potentially fall apart, it’s not a guarantee. If this isn’t something that you want, then I would skip this recipe:) Let me know if I can help in any other way! xx
Hi Marlene,
Thanks for trying this recipe. Sorry to hear your meatballs fall apart so quickly. I shared the recipe because with the meatballs whole or broken, my family and I still loved the flavors of this dish and it wasn’t something that bothered us. Again, sorry to hear the recipe was not enjoyed! xx
Horrible. Meatballs fell apart and was a huge greasy mess. I do not recommend this recipe.
Hi Kelli,
Thanks for trying this recipe and sharing your feedback, so sorry to hear that it wasn’t enjoyed. Please let me know if there is anything that I can help with! xx
How can this recipe be rated 5 stars? None of the commenters have rated the recipe, they haven’t even made the recipe. I just do not understand HBH math. Please, explain.
All recipes on this website list 4–5 stars regardless of how they’re actually rated. It takes a flood of poor reviews to nudge the number down at all. Just something I’ve noticed.
Not to mention that “negative” comments or reviews are often deleted. Even thoughtfully written ones that explain their process and give tips for other readers!
I find that so disrespectful not only to the commenters who made the recipe and try to give context to other users, but to the users who are not able to read those comments before trying a recipe! On any other site, recipe comments are for honest discussion about recipes, not about flattering the creator of them.
You mention the meatballs falling apart and to serve them anyways. Wouldn’t a binder help with that? What do you suggest?
Hi Melanie,
I don’t mind serving these broken, but if you wanted to add a binder of your choosing like an egg or breadcrumbs I would think either of those would work for you! Let me know if you give this dish a try! xx
Not going to try it. Off to find a better recipe!
After all the effort of preparing the meatballs, I was fairly disappointed that they broke. The note at the end, while appreciated, almost comes across like you’re telling us that this recipe doesn’t work.
If you test a recipe multiple times before publishing, isn’t that an opportunity to make adjustments so the meatballs don’t break apart? Or if on the third attempt they still break, wouldn’t it make more sense to publish a recipe that just instructs to use ground beef as is?
Hi Mary Kate,
Thanks for sharing your review. Sorry to hear you were not pleased with the meatballs. While I can understand where you are coming from, my family and I found that the dish was great with whole or broken meatballs which is why I decided to share the recipe:) Please let me know if I can help in any other way! xx
Thanks for the response, HBH team! You can help by providing a meatball recipe that won’t break apart. Any tips or suggestions? If so, could those edits be added into the recipe?
What about the grease from the meatballs.
Hey Gayle,
I would use ground chicken as that will have less fat/grease for you. Let me know if you give this dish a try, I hope you love it!! xx
Oh my gosh, what a cool combo together! Just put on calendar to make this Saturday; I will update with my review after (which is usually 500/10 stars)!
Thanks so much Valerie!! Let me know how this dish turns out for you, I hope it’s a hit! xT