Description
This Creamy Slow Cooker Beef Pasta is a comforting one-pot meal perfect for busy days. Ground beef is browned with onions and garlic, then slow-cooked with tomatoes, herbs, and spices before tender pasta and creamy cheeses are stirred in for a rich, hearty dish. It’s easy to prepare and packed with flavor, making it an ideal family-friendly dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 3 cups uncooked pasta (penne, rotini, or similar)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Brown the beef mixture: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef with the diced onion and minced garlic. Break up the beef as it cooks until fully browned and the onions are soft. Then drain any excess fat to avoid greasy texture in the slow cooker.
- Transfer to slow cooker and combine: Place the cooked beef mixture into the slow cooker. Add the undrained diced tomatoes, tomato paste, beef broth, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir everything well to combine evenly.
- Slow cook the base: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 4 hours or on high for 2 hours. This allows flavors to meld and the beef to become tender.
- Add pasta and continue cooking: After the initial cook, stir in the uncooked pasta. Cover again and cook on low for another 30 to 45 minutes, or until the pasta is tender and fully cooked through.
- Make it creamy: Once the pasta is done, stir in the heavy cream, shredded mozzarella, and grated Parmesan. Mix until the cheeses melt completely and create a rich, creamy sauce.
- Adjust seasoning: Taste the creamy beef pasta and add more salt or pepper as needed to suit your preferences.
- Serve: Ladle the pasta into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve hot for a comforting meal.
Notes
- Use a sturdy slow cooker to ensure even cooking of the pasta without burning.
- If you prefer, you can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter option, though sauce will be less rich.
- To prevent the pasta from sticking together, stir once or twice during the final cooking stage.
- For a lower-fat version, use lean ground beef and reduce or omit cheese.
- Fresh parsley garnish is optional but adds a nice color and freshness to the dish.
