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, broth, and Italian seasoning before adding pasta to cook right in the sauce. Finished with rich heavy cream and melty cheeses, this hearty pasta dish offers tender noodles infused with robust flavors for a delicious, creamy dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat & Vegetables
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Pantry
- 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)
Dairy
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Brown the beef mixture: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef with diced onion and minced garlic until the beef is fully browned and the onions are softened. Break the beef apart as it cooks to ensure even browning. Drain any excess fat.
- Combine ingredients in slow cooker: Transfer the cooked beef mixture to your slow cooker. Add the undrained diced tomatoes, tomato paste, beef broth, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Slow cook the sauce: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 4 hours or on high for 2 hours. This allows the flavors to meld and the sauce to develop richness.
- Add pasta and continue cooking: After the initial cooking, stir in the uncooked pasta. Cover and cook for an additional 30 to 45 minutes on low, or until the pasta is tender and fully cooked.
- Make it creamy: Once the pasta is done, stir in the heavy cream, shredded mozzarella, and grated Parmesan. Mix thoroughly until the cheeses melt and the sauce turns creamy and smooth.
- Adjust seasoning: Taste the dish and add more salt or pepper if needed to suit your preferences.
- Serve: Serve the creamy beef pasta hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired for a pop of color and freshness.
Notes
- If using a slow cooker with different temperature settings, adjust the cooking times accordingly.
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pasta.
- Fresh parsley adds brightness, but other herbs like basil or oregano also work well as garnish.
- This dish can be made ahead and reheated; pasta may thicken as it sits, so add a splash of broth when reheating if needed.
