My brother begs for this incredibly cheap savory staple every single week. You only need 4 ingredients to make the most addictive salty and buttery noodle dish that basically costs pennies.

This slow cooker 4-ingredient garlic butter spaghetti is my go-to when the week feels long and the grocery budget feels short. It’s the kind of salty, buttery noodle dish my brother begs for every single week, and honestly, it costs just pennies per serving. Everything cooks right in the slow cooker—no fancy steps, no complicated sauces—just spaghetti, butter, garlic powder, and a shower of grated Parmesan that melts into a glossy, golden coating. It’s pure comfort food, the kind you can toss together on a busy afternoon and have ready when everyone wanders into the kitchen asking what’s for dinner.

Serve this garlic butter spaghetti piled high on warm plates with an extra sprinkle of Parmesan and a little more garlic powder if your crew loves big flavor. It’s delicious alongside a simple green salad with a tangy vinaigrette to balance the richness, or with steamed broccoli or green beans for a quick veggie. If you have a few extra dollars in the budget, add some garlic bread or toast to soak up the buttery sauce. For heartier appetites, pair it with rotisserie chicken or pan-fried sausages on the side—nothing fancy, just good, filling food.

Servings: 4

8 oz dry spaghetti (about half a standard 16 oz box)

Lightly spray the inside of your slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray or rub with a small piece of butter to help keep the spaghetti from sticking.

Break the dry spaghetti noodles in half so they fit more easily into the slow cooker. Place the noodles in the bottom, fanning them out a bit so they’re not all in one tight pile. This helps them cook more evenly.

Pour the hot water over the spaghetti, making sure most of the noodles are submerged. It’s okay if a few ends stick up; they’ll soften as they cook. Gently press the noodles down with a spoon.

Dot the top with the butter pieces, scattering them over the noodles and water. Sprinkle the garlic powder evenly over everything.

Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on HIGH for 1 hour. After 30 minutes, open the lid and use tongs to gently stir and separate the noodles, pulling apart any clumps. Re-cover and continue cooking.

After the full 1 hour, check the spaghetti. It should be tender but not mushy, and there will still be some starchy, buttery liquid in the bottom. If the noodles are still a bit firm, cook in 10-minute increments, stirring each time, until they reach your preferred texture.

Once the spaghetti is tender, turn the slow cooker to WARM. Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the noodles. Use tongs to toss the spaghetti well until the cheese melts into the buttery liquid and coats the noodles in a glossy, yellow sauce. If the mixture seems dry, add a splash of hot water and toss again.

Taste and season with salt and black pepper if needed. Remember, both the butter and Parmesan are salty, so add salt slowly. If you like a stronger garlic flavor, dust a little more garlic powder over the top and toss again.

Serve the garlic butter spaghetti immediately, twirling generous portions onto plates. Spoon any extra buttery sauce from the bottom of the slow cooker over each serving, and finish with another sprinkle of Parmesan and a light dusting of garlic powder for that savory, addictive touch.

For picky eaters, you can tone down the garlic by starting with just 1 teaspoon of garlic powder and letting everyone add more at the table. If your family loves cheese, bump the Parmesan up to 3/4 cup or even a full cup for an extra gooey, cheesy coating. To stretch this meal even further, stir in a cup of frozen peas or corn during the last 10–15 minutes of cooking; they’ll heat through without much effort. If you prefer a richer sauce, add 1/4 cup of milk or half-and-half along with the Parmesan for a creamier texture. For a little protein without complicating things, toss in leftover shredded chicken or diced ham right before adding the Parmesan and let it warm through. You can also swap part of the water for chicken broth if you have it on hand, but stick with at least half water to keep the flavor simple and the cost low. If the noodles ever get a bit overcooked, just add a splash of hot water and a small pat of butter, then toss—this brings back that glossy, saucy look and keeps the dish forgiving for busy nights.