Easy Spaghetti for a Crowd is your go-to recipe when you’re feeding a big group without the big stress. Whether you’re cooking for a team dinner, church potluck, family reunion, or a hungry crowd of teens, this dish delivers. It’s hearty, affordable, and can be prepped ahead of time in large quantities—without sacrificing flavor or texture. With the right approach (and a big enough pot!), spaghetti becomes one of the easiest meals to scale for 20 to 30 people. This step-by-step method ensures everything stays tender, flavorful, and never mushy.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Feeds 20–30 people with one roaster pan
- Uses pantry-friendly ingredients like ground beef, tomato juice, and spaghetti
- Make-ahead friendly—prep the sauce earlier and cook pasta later
- Budget-conscious and still satisfying
- No mushy pasta thanks to smart batch cooking steps
Ingredients
For the Sauce:
- 6 lb ground beef (85/15 recommended)
- 5 medium onions, diced
- 276 oz tomato juice (large cans or bottles)
- 48 oz jarred pasta sauce (marinara or tomato basil)
- 1/4 cup garlic powder
- 1/4 cup kosher salt
- 2 tbsp dry mustard
- 2 tbsp black pepper, freshly ground
For the Pasta:
- 56 oz dry spaghetti (about 3.5 pounds)
Instructions
- Brown the Beef
In large batches, brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat until fully cooked. Drain excess fat and set aside. - Sauté the Onions
In the same skillet, cook diced onions until translucent and softened (5–7 minutes). Set aside. - Prepare Sauce in Roaster
Coat the inside of a large electric roaster pan with nonstick spray. Pour in the tomato juice and pasta sauce. Set temperature to 300°F. - Add Seasonings & Stir
Stir in garlic powder, salt, dry mustard, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly so spices distribute evenly. - Combine Meat and Onions
Add cooked ground beef and onions to the sauce in the roaster. Stir to combine. Cover and cook for 90 minutes, stirring every 30 minutes. - Add Dry Spaghetti
Break spaghetti noodles in half and stir directly into the sauce. Stir well to ensure noodles are submerged. Cook uncovered for 45–60 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. - Serve & Keep Warm
Once pasta is tender, lower heat to “Warm.” Stir often to keep sauce from sticking and pasta from drying out.
Recipe Details
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Total Time: ~2 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 20–30
Nutrition Facts (Estimated Total)
Calories: 17,500–18,500
Protein: 950–1050g
Fat: 950–1050g
Carbohydrates: 1950–2100g
(Per serving: ~600–700 calories depending on portion size)
Tips & Variations
- Use a roaster or deep stockpot to avoid sticky, clumped pasta
- Brown meat in batches for better texture—overcrowding will steam it
- Substitutions:
- Swap ground beef for turkey or sausage
- Use crushed tomatoes instead of juice (add water to loosen)
- Penne or linguine can replace spaghetti
- Hold the pasta separately if prepping sauce ahead—combine when ready to serve
FAQs
Can I freeze this dish?
Freeze the sauce only. Cooked spaghetti doesn’t reheat well from frozen—it gets mushy.
How do I keep pasta from sticking?
Use plenty of sauce, stir often, and don’t overcrowd your roaster. Also, reserve a little pasta water for texture.
Can I make this vegetarian?
Yes—swap meat for lentils or mushrooms and use vegetable broth for depth.
What sides go with spaghetti for a crowd?
Garlic bread, Caesar salad, roasted veggies, or simple bread rolls work great.
Easy Spaghetti for a Crowd
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Brown beef in batches, drain, and set aside.
- Sauté onions until soft.
- Add tomato juice and pasta sauce to a large roaster pan set to 300°F.
- Stir in garlic powder, salt, mustard, and pepper.
- Add beef and onions to sauce; stir and simmer for 90 minutes.
- Add dry spaghetti, stir to submerge, and cook uncovered for 45–60 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Reduce heat to “Warm” and stir occasionally while serving.
Notes
– Break noodles in half for easier serving
– Adjust seasonings to taste during cooking
Conclusion
When it comes to feeding a crowd, nothing beats the simplicity and comfort of Easy Spaghetti for a Crowd. With smart prep and large-scale cooking tools like a roaster pan, you can serve a full, flavorful meal to dozens without fuss. Bookmark this one for your next big event—you’ll thank yourself when the plates come back clean.