Your favorite family dinner just got even easier with this Gluten Free Slow Cooker Spaghetti! Tender gluten free noodles are combined with a spaghetti sauce that’s loaded with hidden veggies in the slow cooker for a healthy weeknight meal that’s guaranteed to please.
Sponsored by our friends at DeLallo and their gluten free spaghetti, this slow cooker spaghetti is made with simple ingredients and a homemade spaghetti sauce for a scrumptious pasta recipe that couldn’t be easier to make. Thank you for supporting the brands that help us to create delicious gluten free recipes like this one for you! Full disclosure and privacy terms here.
Gluten Free Spaghetti Vs. Regular Spaghetti
If you’ve never had them, you’re probably wondering what gluten free spaghetti noodles are and what makes them different from regular spaghetti noodles. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with all the details!
Gluten free spaghetti can be found in many forms. However, our favorite options are from DeLallo. For this recipe, we used these gluten free spaghetti noodles. Unlike traditional pasta, they’re made with a combination of 70% corn flour and 30% rice flour. However, they also have brown rice gluten free spaghetti that is made with 100% brown rice flour and works just as well!
No matter which option you go with, all of DeLallo’s gluten free pastas are created in Italy and produced in a certified gluten free facility so you can rest assured that there is no cross contamination. Unlike other gluten free pastas that can become mushy as they cook, DeLallo’s spaghetti tastes just like the real deal and always cooks perfectly al dente!
The Best Ingredients for a Superior Taste
For a basic slow cooker or crock pot spaghetti recipe, we kept the ingredient list short and sweet with fresh, nourishing ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Olive Oil – Used to sauté the veggies, olive oil adds a boost of healthy fats!
- Onion and Garlic – When combined onion and garlic create a caramel-like umami flavor that enhances the spaghetti sauce even further. For the best results, use fresh minced garlic.
- Veggies – Sneaking a few veggies like mushrooms, zucchini, and bell pepper into the pasta sauce is an easy way to boost the nutrients and provide a good source of plant-based protein. The best part is the kids won’t even notice!
- Herbs and Seasonings – Salt, red pepper flakes, and fresh basil or parsley add depth to the dish along with just a hint of spice.
- Delallo Tomato Basil Spaghetti Sauce and Tomato Puree – Our go-to staple for all things pasta, the tomato basil sauce is made with natural ingredients and no sugar for the freshest flavor and a more authentic Italian taste. Using it in combination with the tomato puree makes for a lighter flavor that compliments the al dente pasta.
- Water and Broth – Essential to cooking noodles, water works well. However, we’ve found that broth creates a richer sauce. This is because the noodles absorb it as they cook, simultaneously leaching out starch which thickens the sauce, helping it cling to the spaghetti.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese or Nutritional Yeast – You can’t have slow cooker spaghetti with a bit of cheese! Or, for a vegan option, swap it out for nutritional yeast.
How to Make Slow Cooker Spaghetti
Once you make this gluten free slow cooker spaghetti, you’ll never go back! It’s so much easier than making everything separately. Take a look at an overview of how we do it below and don’t forget to scroll to the recipe card at the bottom for the full details!
- Sauté the onion and garlic in a skillet followed by the mushrooms, salt, and other veggies (if using). Add the spaghetti sauce and water or broth to the slow cooker. Layer the gluten free spaghetti noodles on top, making sure they don’t settle in an even layer. (See pictures below.)
- Add the cooked veggies, cheese, and tomato purée. Cover and cook on high for up to 1 ½ hours or low for up to 3 hours, depending on your slow cooker and any extra ingredients added. Serve warm topped with extra Parmesan, if desired!
Cooking Note: Cooking times will vary depending on the type of pasta used. For instance, the gluten free spaghetti made out of corn and rice flours cooks a tad faster than the brown rice flour spaghetti noodles. So, be sure to keep an eye on it!
Optional Variations
Feel free to add ground turkey or beef to your slow cooker spaghetti! To do so, brown it in a skillet over medium heat and drain off the excess fat before adding the onion and garlic. Then, follow the recipe as usual.
Or, if you’re looking for a unique slow cooker pasta recipe, swap out the tomato sauce for our anti-inflammatory roasted red pepper sauce! It’s dairy free friendly and gluten free for a simple sauce that adds tons of flavor and just a hint of extra spice.
Common Questions About Gluten Free Spaghetti
Once cooked, slow cooker spaghetti will stay fresh in the fridge for 3-5 days.
Yes, when kept in an airtight container gluten free spaghetti can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Yes! Any other noodle shape can be cooked in the slow cooker. However, we don’t recommend using chickpea pasta as it tends to become mushy.
The great thing about spaghetti is that it can be served as a complete meal on its own. However, it also pairs well with all your favorite sides such as Caesar Style Tomato Salad, asparagus, or homemade bread!
The only way your spaghetti will become mushy is if it’s overcooked! Depending on the ingredients used, different kinds of pasta will cook at different speeds. Make sure you’re comfortable with your slow cooker and see the recipe card below for our specific notes.
More Quick & Easy Gluten Free Pasta Recipes
Looking for more family-friendly meals? Try out some more of our favorite gluten free pasta recipes!
- This Gluten Free Gnocchi Pesto Pasta Salad takes traditional pasta salad up a notch with gluten free gnocchi and blistered veggies perfect for weeknight dinners, picnics, and more.
- Made with gluten free noodles and loaded with veggies, this Gluten Free Lasagna Noodle Soup is a great kid-friendly the whole family will love.
- Put a healthier spin on pasta night by combining zucchini noodles with gluten free spaghetti, marinated chicken, and veggies with these Gluten Free Noodles and Zoodles!
Gluten Free Slow Cooker Spaghetti
- Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Gluten free spaghetti comes together with a light tomato sauce for an elevated comfort food recipe secretly stuffed with veggies! Dairy Free Option.
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- ½ onion, finely diced
- 1 Tablespoon minced fresh garlic
- 1 (8 ounce) package sliced fresh mushrooms
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Optional extra diced veggies: ½ cup zucchini or bell pepper
- 1 jar (24 ounces) tomato basil spaghetti sauce (Delallo)
- 1 cup water
- ¼ cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 12 ounces dry DeLallo gluten free brown rice spaghetti noodles or dry gluten free corn and rice spaghetti noodles
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast
- 1 (24 ounces) jar DeLallo Tomato Puree
- Fresh parsley or basil to taste
- Red pepper flakes, to taste
- Optional: 1 pound meat of choice (Ex. sausage, ground beef or turkey, etc.) (See notes)
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic, and sauté until fragrant, about 2-3 minutes. Add the sliced mushrooms and salt. Cook on medium until mushrooms sweat and soften, about 3 minutes, deglazing skillet if needed.
- Stir in the optional diced vegetables.
- Pour one jar of the spaghetti sauce and the water/broth into the bottom of a slow cooker. Break the spaghetti noodles in half, and place them on top of the sauce. TIP -> Make sure the noodles are layered in alternating directions. (See blog photo.)
- Add the cooked vegetable mixture to the slow cooker, mix to combine. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast, and pour second jar of tomato purée on top.
- Cover and cook on HIGH for 1-2 hours or on LOW for up to 2 ½ hours, stirring periodically (if possible). (See notes) Toss all of the ingredients together, and serve.
- Keep leftovers in the fridge for 3-5 days.
Notes
The whole grain and brown rice pasta will take slightly longer to cook. That being said, be sure to keep an eye on your pasta, stirring regularly, the first time you make it so that you know how long it takes in your slow cooker. The corn-based pasta should be stirred frequently to prevent it from overcooking. Overcooked pasta will become mushy or too soft.
Substitutes/Alternatives – If using meat, heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add meat, and brown stirring frequently breaking up the meat until no longer pink (about 5-7 minutes). Drain off fat, reserving 1 Tablespoon for sautéing vegetables. Set aside, and follow instructions above, adding meat to the slow cooker with the rest of the ingredients.
Storage Tips – Once completely cooled, freeze in a sealable bag or airtight container for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw your spaghetti overnight in the fridge. Warm in the slow cooker, microwave, or on the stovetop, adding extra sauce or oil as needed to refresh.
Nutrition below does not include meat.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Main
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 327
- Sugar: 0.8 g
- Sodium: 227.6 mg
- Fat: 5.2 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 59.6 g
- Fiber: 4.7 g
- Protein: 8.5 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: gluten free spaghetti, slow cooker spaghetti, spaghetti, comfort food, gluten free, slow cooker recipe
Do you have questions, feedback, or tips about this recipe? Leave a comment below with any questions or feedback you’d like to share!
I love how easy this came together and my family has already requested it again!
★★★★★
So glad! thanks for feedback !
So easy to make, thank you so much! Perfect week night meal.
★★★★★
Isn’t it? Our go to weeknight meal as well!