4-Cheese Ragu Spaghetti
Hearty slow-cooker spaghetti loaded with Italian sausage and four cheeses—Cheddar, mozzarella, fontina, and Parmesan. Perfect for family dinners with delicious leftovers.
3 hrs
3 hrs 30 mins
Ingredients
Equipment Needed
- large Dutch oven
- large nonstick skillet
- 5-quart slow cooker
Ingredients
Equipment Needed
- large Dutch oven
- large nonstick skillet
- 5-quart slow cooker
Instructions
Prepare the Pasta and Meat
- 1
Cook pasta
Cook pasta in boiling salted water in a large Dutch oven according to package directions. Drain and return to pan.
- 2
Brown sausage mixture
Meanwhile, brown sausage, bell pepper mix, and garlic in oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, stirring often, 8 to 10 minutes or until meat crumbles and is no longer pink. Drain.
- 3
Combine pasta mixture
Stir meat mixture, pasta sauce, and Cheddar cheese into pasta.
Assemble and Cook
- 1
Layer first half
Spoon half of pasta mixture into a lightly greased 5-quart slow cooker coated with cooking spray.
- 2
Prepare cheese mixture
Combine mozzarella cheese and fontina cheese.
- 3
Add first cheese layer
Sprinkle half of mozzarella mixture over pasta mixture in slow cooker.
- 4
Add final layers
Top with remaining pasta mixture, remaining mozzarella mixture, and Parmesan cheese.
- 5
Slow cook
Cover and cook on Low 3 hours.
Cook's Notes
Switch up your go-to slow-cooker meals and go for a cheesy pasta dish that's loaded with hearty sausage. It's a great option for the entire family, and you can take the leftovers for lunch the next day. Optional add-ins: red wine, chopped veggies, Worcestershire sauce, baking soda/sugar/ketchup for neutralizing acidity, ricotta or butter for richness, corn starch in pasta water slurry to thicken.
Get Weekly Recipes
Join our newsletter for hand-picked family recipes every week.