Description
This creamy slow cooker beef pasta is a comforting and easy-to-make dinner perfect for busy weeknights. Tender ground beef is simmered with marinara sauce, Italian herbs, and spices, then combined with pasta and rich cheeses for a deliciously creamy, satisfying meal that can be set and forgotten until dinner time.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
Seasonings and Liquids
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 (24-ounce) jar marinara or pasta sauce
- 1/2 cup beef broth
Pasta
- 8 ounces uncooked pasta (penne or rotini)
Dairy
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
Instructions
- Cook the beef and onion: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion until browned and cooked through, about 6–8 minutes. Drain excess grease to reduce fat content.
- Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant, then transfer the mixture to your slow cooker.
- Combine ingredients in slow cooker: Add the marinara sauce, beef broth, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper to the slow cooker with the beef mixture. Stir well to combine.
- Slow cook: Cover and cook on low for 4–5 hours, or on high for 2–3 hours, allowing flavors to meld and beef to tenderize.
- Add pasta: About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the uncooked pasta, ensuring it is submerged in the sauce. Cover and cook on high for 25–30 minutes or until pasta is tender.
- Finish with cream and cheese: Stir in the heavy cream, shredded mozzarella, and grated Parmesan until melted and creamy. Let sit for 5–10 minutes to thicken.
- Serve and garnish: Spoon onto plates or bowls and garnish with chopped parsley for a fresh finish.
Notes
- For extra richness, add a dollop of cream cheese along with the heavy cream.
- Choose short pasta shapes like penne, rotini, or rigatoni that hold up well in slow cooker dishes.
- Drain excess grease from the beef to reduce fat and calories.
- Feel free to add vegetables such as bell peppers or mushrooms at the beginning for added nutrition.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
